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historical records, and original illustrations. Extensive research in primary sources has been -- and continues to be --
undertaken to ensure that the reproduced uniforms reproduce the original uniforms as closely as possible.
Perhaps the two most prominent features of the uniform are the bearskin cap and the red coat. The bearskin cap is made of
black bear and is a careful reproduction of surviving bearskin caps in the National Museum of Scotland. Bearskin caps are
often associated with grenadiers -- the elite companies of British infantry regiments -- but were also worn by fusiliers and
drummers.
The red coats are the best known feature of the eighteenth century British Army. Red was the Royal livery colour of the
British monarch, and English soldiers had worn red since the late middle ages. Even today, the regiments of the British Army's
Brigade of Guards wear red tunics while on ceremonial duties, as do many regiments of the Canadian Army.
The red coats of the recreated 7th Royal Fuzileers are based on the patterns mandated by the 1768 Royal Warrant. This
document authorized the pattern and regimental distinctions of the regiments of the British Army. They are made of madder
wool in the same brick red colour used in the eighteenth century. Lapels, cuffs and collar are royal blue as an
acknowledgment of the Royal status of the Regiment.
Depicted to the right is a private soldier, or "fuzileer" of the recreated
7th Royal Fuzileers. In addition to his distinctive bearskin cap and red
coat, he wears knee breeches and a waistcoat made from
cream-colour wool. His white stockings are covered to mid-calve
height by black linen half-gaiters, or spatterdashes, which were
intended to keep stones and grime from entering his buckled shoes.
Under all, he wears a white linen shirt and, around his neck, a black
horsehair stock.
In the field, the bearskin cap was often replaced with a simple, black
cocked hat with white lace edging and a black cockade.
In addition to his uniform, this fuzileers carries a flintlock Brown Bess
musket. Over his left shoulder is slung a buff leather strap which holds
up a leather cartridge box, in which ammunition for the musket is
carried. Around his waist, he wears a buff leather waistbelt, from
which his bayonet and its scabbard are suspended on his left hip.
Finally, over his right shoulder is slung a plain linen haversack and tin
water bottle.
The Officer's Uniform
To the right is depicted a subaltern officer of the 7th Royal Fuzileers.
Superficially, his uniform is similar to that of the private soldier. He
wears a red coat, white knee breeches and waistcoat, white stockings,
and linen shirt. However, the fabric used to tailor officer's uniforms was
of higher quality than that used for private soldiers.
This officer has dispensed with his bearskin in favour of a less formal
cocked hat, and wears blue and gold epaulettes on both shoulders. If
he were on duty, he would also be expected to wear a gold gorget
suspended from his neck. A buff leather strap suspended from his right
shoulder holds his sword and its scabbard. Around his waist is
wrapped a crimson silk sash.
As a fusilier officer, this subaltern would be expected to carry a fusil, or
light musket, on parade or in battle. In practice, many officers
dispensed with carrying any weapons other than their swords.
No original uniforms remain in existence from the eighteenth
century Royal Fuzileers, and there are few known original
illustrations from the Revolutionary War period.
To the right is reproduced an original portrait of an unknown
officer of the 21st Regiment of Foot (the Royal North British
Fuzileers). The original of this painting belongs to the collection
of the National Army Museum in the United Kingdom. The
North British Fuzileers served in General Burgoyne's Army
during the 1776 and 1777 campaigns in Canada and the Lake
Champlain Valley. This officer wears his bearskin cap, sash
and gorget, and carries a fuzil for which he wears a cartridge
box suspended from his left shoulder and a bayonet carriage
suspended from his right shoulder.
