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First Troop of Rangers, Georgia The
Recreated First Troop of Rangers, Province of Georgia Ron Shephard, Captain of the Troop |
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Gear and clothing of the Georgia Rangers, circa 1756Clothing:(see the section titled Uniform of the First Troop Rangers, Colony of Georgia for details of how these items are used) Black cocked hat: No trim or cockade Made of felted wool or fur. Fatigue cap Made of wool fabric. Red and Blue in color. Traditionally constructed from worn out uniform sleeves. This cap is used when on work details or lounging around camp. Jockey cap with red turban Modified hat blank used to cover the head while trekking through thick brush that a normal cocked hat would get caught on. Navy Blue with red lapels 1750 pattern regimental coat: For formal wear, the official uniform consisted of regimental coat, breeches, and waistcoat as “outer wear” over the small clothes. This coat would have red lapels, turnbacks and cuffs. Red wool sleeveless waistcoat. Lined in linen for comfort Sleeved blue wool jacket with red trim on cuff: worn for less formal wear, daily work and on patrol. Worn instead of the regimental and waistcoat. White linen shirt Blue and white checked shirt: worn for less formal wear, daily work and on patrol. White and black neck cloths: to wear as cravat – used for less formal occasions Black Linen Stock and Buckle: worn on formal “full uniform” occasions. Linen fatigue/Wagoner’s smock Covers other clothes while doing camp duties. Oversized shirt made to cover down to the knees. Should be made of what was, in the period, a cheap, heavy unbleached linen cloth. Breeches - navy blue or natural/tan, preferably blue wool AND natural linen. Soldiers were issued pairs of winter and summer breeches. The pair not being worn are carried in the knapsack/snapsack. Black gaiters Used to cover lower legs to protect them and the stockings while in the field. Usually made of heavy weight linen or hempen Canvas with horn buttons. Black garters used to hold up gaiters or stockings. Black leather with a small brass buckle. Stockings: Wool is preferable, usually knitted style without fancy clocking. A pair of “thread” (linen, though fine cotton will suffice) stockings for dress wear are nice to have as well. Buckle shoes Black leather enlisted men’s style with a brass buckle clasp were the common shoes of the British Army during the era. One pair is kept clean for dress wear, another is worn while on campaign. The latter may have been converted to lace up style in some cases. These could not be worn without the gaiters covering the laces. Weapons and Accoutrement:Model 1756 Long Land Pattern Musket standard issue British firearm, steel ramrod. Bayonet for musket affixed to the end of a musket to allow use as a thrusting weapon. Bayonet scabbard used to protect and cover a bayonet when not being used. Waist belt with double frog (British NCO waist belt, russet leather) 1-3/4 - 2” wide belt with a v-shaped strap with slots (frogs) to hold a bayonet and saber scabbard or bayonet scabbard and axe. Musket sling- used when carrying a musket over the shoulder. Belt axe or tomahawk Used for camp duties such as cutting wood, etc. 18 round Government issue Cartridge box and belt Box is wooden block with blackened leather covers. Holds cartridges at the waist for easy access. The belt is a 1” or 1-1/4” black leather belt with either a simple iron or basic brass buckle. See Morier’s Grenadier paintings for details and documentation. Cartridge pouch with vent pick and brush (British soft pouch 18 hole with chest buckle) Used to carry cartridges of pre-measured powder, patch, and ball in a wooden block holder. There is storage under the block for cleaning supplies. See Morier’s Grenadier paintings for details and documentation. Hammer stall and flashguard Safety features for the musket. The hammer stall helps prevent accidental discharge of the weapon, and the flashguard is a modern method of reducing the effect of the touchhole blowing burning powder onto the person to your right when firing in line. Ball screw used to remove misfired or unfired ball from a muzzleloader. Whisk and Pick used for cleaning and maintaining a musket Cleaning worm used with patch and lube to clean a musket Tow: loose linen fibers used to clean muskets and as a fire starter when needed. Musket tool or turnscrew multi-tool consisting of a screwdriver and vent pick. Oil Bottle: small tin oil container filled with “sweet” oil (olive oil). Used to keep musket in good working condition. Stout glass or earthenware containers will suffice if a useable tin container cannot be found. Small packet of brick dust: used to polish firelock. Used similarly to jeweler’s rouge or buffing compound. A small pad of leather is used along with it to polish the barrel and lock of the musket. Six flints used to create the initial spark on a flintlock firearm. Six Leads for flints: provide something for the cock/hammer to grip to hold the flint. Campaign Equipment:Standard size British haversack. Made of natural colored linen “Osnaburg” with either an adjustable leather or simple linen strap. These were used to carry a soldier’s weekly rations, weighing up to ten pounds or more on the day of issue. British F&I/ 7 Years’ War style leather Hair-on calfskin Knapsack, single strap. Used for carrying spare clothing and personal items that were allowed. See Morier’s Grenadier paintings for details and documentation. Tumpline for blanket Used to carry a bed roll compactly on long treks. White issue woolen blanket British pattern canteen Used to carry water. Constructed of tinned metal and hung on a hemp rope sling. British cavalry model tent: 7’ long, 7’ wide, 6’ tall with bell. Made of water-proofed canvas. This would have slept a full “mess” of 5-6 soldiers. Personal Equipment:Cup, bowl, & spoon. Used for eating. Usually wooden, tin or pewter Clasp or belt knife Used for just about everything. Usually with a sheath and sometimes folding. Black Ball for cleaning shoes and black leather items. This should be carefully wrapped in waxed paper and stored in the knapsack. Shoe and clothes brushes: typically constructed of boar bristle set in wood, though occasionally bone is used. Comb: Horn, wood, or bone Optional items: o Small wooden trencher, fork o Soap ball, small linen towel, boar bristle toothbrush, tooth powder o “housewife” with needle and thread to do repairs on clothing. Include a couple of spare buttons if you have them. o Handkerchiefs (linen or cotton appropriate to period) o Glasses and tin case o Personal entertainment items such as a Maple Fife, deck of cards, small book or prayer book, etc. Remember that gambling was outlawed, so dice and cards should be kept well hidden when officers are around, and not stored in knapsack or haversack where they’ll be subject to inspection.
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