Patterns

• Kaanik's Korner: Man's Shirt (1790-1830) This is the most authentic pattern, but it uses a lot of material, and there is a lot of bulk to tuck into your pants, and tunic sleeves. The pattern instructions are for hand sewing which might be confusing.
  
• Eagle View: Early Drop Sleeve Shirt This pattern uses less material, and includes good instructions. We recommend a 7-1/2 oz. canvas (shoe canvas) which is available at Fabricland, and online. Buy more than the pattern calls for because you have to wash and bleach it before cutting, and this fabric shrinks. You'll need to overstitch the seam allowances to prevent fraying when you wash the shirt.
  

Trousers

Made of a canvas or heavy linen. Gen. Brock ordered the 49th Regt to have trousers produced made of sail cloth. Natural white in colour. Drop front with 3 buttons to the close the waistband and two buttons to hold up the front. A gusset in the back of the waistband used to adjust waist and simply tied to fasten.

Patterns

• Kaanik's Korner: Man's Trousers, High Waisted (1790-1810) This pattern has pockets which are not necessary. Again, the instructions are for hand sewing so may be confusing.
  
• Eagle View: Broadfall Drop Front Breeches does not have pockets and the instructions are easier to follow. We recommend 9 oz. canvas, and as with the shirts, buy extra fabric so that it can be wash, bleached, and shrunk before cutting. Remember to overstitch the seam allowances to prevent fraying.
  

Shoes

Black leather, rough surface to finish with leather lacing (not buckles). Leather sole with hob nails to protect the wearing and tear of the soles. Heel should have a small heel plate “horseshoe” attached.

Gaitors

This covers your boot up past the ankle. It helps prevent stones, etc from getting into the boot. It is made of black wool with 7 pewter buttons on each (on the outside of the gaitor for fastening). It has a leather strap that runs underneath the boot.

Neck Stock

This is a full size pattern that you can use to make your own neck stock. Use a stiff piece of leather, dyed black (use a thickness that will not cause you to cringe every time you put it on). Each side, from the centre, is 7 ¾ inches long (total length 15 ½ in. long). This is based on a 17in neck. Just trim it shorter a little at a time to fit comfortable to your neck. Make two tabs using soft leather, black and sew it on to each end of the stock. Cut three tab holes as indicated to fit the brass stock clasp.

They were just an object of fashion similar to the cravat and the necktie. The neck stock was worn over the standing collar of the shirt and under the jacket. Most stocks were shaped to fit the contour of the jaw and the chin. It was more durable and tend to keep ones head up.

British Stovepipe Shako

Named for it's distinct shape, this was the British Infantry's headgear from 1806 until 1812. Troops arriving in North America from europe in 1813 would have been issued the newer Belgique Shako, but the 49th would not receive them until returning to England. Instructions for making a shako from a blank are available below.

Forage Caps

We still do know a lot about the 49th cap but originals for the 33rd and other British infantry units are found in museums overseas. The forage or fatigue cap is basically a triangle that is sewn from two sections of white wool broadcloth and is piped with the facing color of the regiment. The piping is simply a strip of wool that is sewn into the seam and the excess is cut flush with the seam of the cap body. This gives a nice outline of the triangle. Often a tuft of wool yarn is sewn to the tip. The Regimental number is cut from the facing color and sewn to the front of the cap. These numbers “49” are the Arabic style and not Roman numeral. A one inch green tape or strip of wool is sewn above the numbers. This is where the cap is folded. It is logical that these caps were lined with cotton linen for comfort and sweat. These caps a very easy to make and do not require a lot of material. They were probably made from the scraps left over from making barracks coatees. The size really depends on the size of the head. Here is a rough sketch.

NOTE: The band of regimental colour (green) should be above the “49” and not below it as illustrated in the pictures.

British Army Wooden Canteen 1793-1861

The wooden canteen was first officially sanctioned in 1793. Trotter and Sons, the main manufacturer, were recorded making over 200,000 of them by 1803. That said there was still a mixture of tin and wooden canteens available to the troops throughout the Napoleonic Wars as shown in military store records. Each wooden canteen came with a 68 inch long, 1 inch wide leather strap with buckle for adjustment. The strap was mounted through the canteen's iron bails.

During the War of 1812 British regiments and the Canadian militia were issued canteens such as this one out of Commissariat stores leaving a garrison and were not regimentally marked because they were expected to be returned. The same was the case for regiments stationed in Great Britain. However British troops serving in the Peninsular War, because of the lack of depots, had their canteens purchased by their regiment from the Commissariat and therefore were regimentally marked with white lead paint to show this new ownership.

For the Waterloo campaign, because many of the regiments were coming from home service in Great Britain, the majority of the canteens there would not have been regimentally marked. This is supported by an 1815 oil sketch by G. Jones of two Foot Guardsmen which shows a canteen front-and-centre with no regimental markings.

Haversacks

The haversack used during the Seven Years War somewhat larger than this design and had an adjustable strap and a three button closure. Likely as an attempt to reduce costs and lighten the load the soldier bore, a smaller version was introduced, likely in the late 1760s, with a non-adjustable strap and a two button closure.

There are at least three surviving examples of haversacks of this pattern. One is marked with a GR and broad arrow, one with a BO and broad arrow, and one with no markings at all. The measurements, materials and construction of each one are quite similar. In the name of economy, one of the three actually used the selvage of the linen as the edge of the flap.

This item of field equipment was manufactured on contract by the Commissariat or the Broad of Ordnance and there was likely some slight variations in the patterns by the different departments. Because this was a mass manufactured item, the length of strap would have been a standard size. In addition since this item of field equipment was often returned to stores after its use, alternations of it would have been forbidden. An exception to this might have been troops in the field without depots like in the Peninsular War where haversacks were purchased by the various regiments from the Commissariat. Likely a regimental or personal mark was made along side the government marking.

By 1811 this piece of equipment was considered by Military officials to be of a horrible design because it was not waterproofed and was always filthy and stained. A new haversack with a painted cover was proposed and approved by a board of officers. C. Hamilton Smith went as far as to illustrate it (Foot Guards in Winter Dress) as part of the changes to be introduced in the new 1812 clothing regulations. However it was dropped because of cost concerns and was never used. In 1813, one Commissariat contract called for some of the haversacks being made to have a webbing strap. This requirement was dropped on another contract later that year. An original 1860s haversack shows the linen strap survived for most of the 19th century. The poorly-designed un-adjustable linen haversack continued a long life all the way to 1871.

By: Robert Henderson

Shoulder Belts

The 1802 regulations called for the shoulder belts of the infantry to be 2 1/8 inches (5.4 cm) wide. They were to be constructed of buff leather and were to be coloured white, except for regiments with buff coloured facings; these regiments were to have buff coloured belts as well. Also, the 1802 regulations called for two 'D' shaped rings to be sewn to the inside of the bayonet carriage. These rings were the means by which a magazine could be added to the equipment. This magazine was to be worn only when on active service or when on foreign station. The magazine was a tin box which was covered with black leather. It held 24 rounds of ball cartridge which, when added to the 36 rounds in the pouch, brought to 60 the number of rounds carried by each man.

The greatest complaint against the 2 1/8 inch belts was that they were not wide enough. It was found that under the weight of the ammunition the belts would cut into the men.s shoulders. Also, the narrower belts (the 1768 warrant called for belts of 2 ¨ú inches (6.8 cm) wide) were found unequal to the weight of the ammunition, stretching and often breaking under the burden of their load.

Consequently, when Sir John Moore began re-organizing the 52nd Regiment as a light infantry corps in 1808, he took the opportunity to issue the men with belts which were a half inch broader than the existing regulations stipulated. This 2 5/8 inch (7.3 cm) belt were subsequently supplied to a considerable part of the army. They were found to be quite equal to the weight of the ammunition and comfortable to the soldier in every respect.

This greater strength and comfort was not achieved without some sacrifice. It was noted by Lt. James Barwich, adjutant of the 72nd Regiment in 1808, that these wider belts cost the colonels of the regiments ¡°near three shillings¡± extra. Although in wide use by the army, these 2 5/8 inch belts were not sanctioned officially by the Commander in Chief of the forces until September 1816.

Markings On The Belts

A general order dated January 16th, 1812, and issued from the Horse Guards by the Adjutant General stated: "in order to guard against the losses which have, in various instances, occurred to the Colonel.s of Regiments and to the Public, from the accoutrements and Regimental Appointments not being duly marked. The Commander in Chief commands that every article of either description shall have, conspicuously marked upon it, the number or appellation of the battalion and regiment to which it belongs, as well as the number or letter of the troop or company. The marks are to be carefully and legibly placed on the inside of the belts, pouches and slings¡¦This order is to be carried into effect by every Corps in His Majesty.s Service, with the least possible delay, in whatever country it may be serving at the time of its receipt".

British Army Cartridge Box or Pouch 1804 -1817

Through detailed studies of Regimental Inspection Returns, it has been uncovered that this pouch, approved in 1804, was almost universally used by British units at home or serving in Europe by 1809-1810. For regiments in the colonies or other stations such as the Cape of Good Hope, it took as late as 1812 to outfit everyone with the new pouch. In the War of 1812, when the new pouches arrived, the regiment's old ones were sent to auction or sold through the newspaper ads, presumably purchased by volunteer units.

What was interesting about the 60 round pouch, was that cartridges became issued in packs of 10 opposed to packs of 12. In the pouch 4 packs (40 cartridges) were put in upright in the upper tin tray's slot, while 2 packs were laid flat in the compartments of the lower tray. Having 40 cartridges ready to the soldier must have improved the continued fire power of the British, as compared to the earlier pouch which had only 18 available, prior to the block being flipped. Once the soldier was out, his file partner assisted the soldier in cycling the remaining two packs from the lower tray into the upper one.

Barracks Jacket

Made of a white wool. The facings (Collar and Cuffs and Shoulder Straps ) are of regimental colour. 49th Foot was a deep green. It is a waist cut. This was worn for drill, fatigue work, off duty.

The Regimental Coat

The coat is worn for parades, walking out, inspections, Guard Duties, and of course, battle / campaign.

Back side – False pockets are horizontal for battalion companies.

Cuffs – four buttons each with bastion loop lace. Note the regimental lace consist of a Red Green Red worm through it. Lace is made of a worsted wool.

Collar and shoulder straps – Battalion companies had a white tuft at the ends. Again regimental lace edging – only on privates and corporal coats.

New Recruit Uniform Requirements

The following items are the minimum in order to begin training:

1. Barracks Jacket
2. Stovepipe Shako with Batt. Co. tuft, cockade, and Universal Shako Plate
3. Linen (or cotton) shirt, white
4. Duck canvas trousers, white
5. Breeches Sling
6. Black shoes (rough leather preferred)
7. Neck Stock, leather
8. Cartridge Box with belt
9. Bayonet Carriage with bayonet
10. Forage Cap
11. India Pattern Musket (bayonet to fit particular musket used)

Once new recruit performs the Infantry Safety Test successfully, the following items will be required:

1. Regiment Coat
2. Haversack
3. Canteen
4. Back Pack, Trotters, soft pattern
5. And any such necessities the member wished to add to his kit such as; razor, black ball, pipe, cards, utensils, tin ware, etc.

Suppliers of Clothing and Equipment:

• Some of the clothing items and canteen can be found at Spencer's Mercantile.
• Kathleen FEETHAM. kathleen.feetham@hotmail.com
• The Discriminating General – For some uniform pieces and equipment and Muskets (3rd Pattern “India” Brown Bess)
• Robin Upton has his on-ilne catelogue now: (St Catharines) - 49th buttons
• Loyalist Arms and Repairs - Bayonet , India pattern (3rd model), Sling Kit for musket
• The Sutler of Mount Misery (Gedney Godwin) (US) - Musket sling, white leather with buckle. Also, 49th breast plate, bayonet, odds and sods, nice 1812 boots
• Blockade Runner - Military Wedge Tents (GREAT WEDGE TENT #T005-s). Also, a large source of tin ware and accessories.
• The Quartermasters - Shako blanks, formed. Need to lacquer and add plate, cockade and tuft.
• Jas. Townsend and Son (US) - Shirts, trousers, shacko blanks, camp equipment, material, bell back tent
• Linda Early Fashions (Linda Hanna -Richmond Hill) - clothing, fair prices but not always quality
• Smoke and Fire Company (US) - Mostly Rev war stuff, but good camp wear and stuff
• Tentsmiths (US) - probably the best tents around, and hassle free, camp stools, canvas, tarps
• The Rifle Shop (US) - period firearms
• C and D Jarnagin (US) -clothing, wool & fabrics, camp supplies, etc.
• Loyalist Arms - period firearms
• Jastro (Vancouver) - fake drilling muskets
• Some other links: http://www.uppercanadianheritage.com/norfolk/links.htm