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Sponsored by The Ladies of Refined Taste & Friends
and Minute Man National Historical Park
The Challenge – Men's Clothing
Most of the male participants will be members of the militia, though some will chose to do a strictly civilian impression. The guidelines are roughly the same, with the exception of the equipment and accoutrements required by the militia.
Notes:
- Three things we will be striving to achieve relative uniformity in
are:
- small knapsacks
- hatchet, hanger, cutlass, or hunting sword
- bolsters
- Almost all regulations for militia from the time order militiamen to carry a knapsack and either a hatchet or sword of some kind. Knapsacks are very easy to construct. Essentially we are talking about a haversack-sized bag with two shoulder straps. This is well within the skill level of almost everyone and will go a long way to achieving uniformity in at least one part of our equipment.
- Even if a sword of some kind is unavailable most everyone of us has a hatchet which are usually interchangeable with swords in most regulations.
- Period accounts indicate some companies had small bolsters that were filled with straw for use when the men were bunked down for the night. These we would also like to see constructed and are even more simple to make than knapsacks.
- For this impression we are not only expecting you to have the correct apparel and equipment, but also for it all to fit you properly. That means all clothing (with the exception of shirts) must be close fitting. The clothing should be almost tight, but not so tight that it constricts; we want to avoid the stuffed sausage look.
- Please make use of your pockets as much as possible. Pockets were used extensively by our 18th century predecessors, and the use of pockets is a greatly overlooked practice by reenactors. The use of pockets adds greatly to one's impression. Items such as food, personal effects, spoons, pocket knives, gun tools, etc., can effectively be stored in your pockets.
As always, if unsure about fabrics, construction techniques, or patterns, please consult with us on the blog or Facebook—that's why we're here! Don't rush and make rash decisions because you want to make some "cool stuff". Do it right the first time!
Impression Guidelines for Militia
Headgear:1st Choice: Civilian Round, or Cocked Hat of a documented period pattern, round blocked (Townsend hats are not acceptable), and preferably lined.
2nd Choice: Knit caps, such as a Monmouth cap.
3rd Choice (allowed but SERIOUSLY DISCOURAGED): Linen caps.
Unacceptable: Military cocked hats trimmed with regimental buttons, cockades, etc. Scots bonnets, leather or light infantry style caps.
Body Shirts: Made of natural fabrics, and blends thereof. Shirts made of linen, or light-weight flannel, would have been the most prevalent in New England.
1st Choice: Shirt constructed from a period pattern with narrow wristbands, made of plain, striped, or checked linen or flannel.
Unacceptable: Shirts made of wool other than flannel, or in printed patterns, or of later styling, i.e., early 19th century or later shirts.
Neck Covering:
1st Choice: Neckerchief of linen, cotton, or silk.
2nd Choice: Civilian stock of linen.
Unacceptable: Military stock of leather or horsehair.
Breeches & Trousers: Made of a documented pattern and fabric such as linen, hemp, wool, linsey-woolsey, etc.
1st Choice: Leather breeches, of buckskin, elk, or sheepskin.
2nd Choice: Breeches of wool, linen, hemp or other documented fabric. Trousers of linen, hemp, or wool.
Unacceptable: Breeches & trousers with a fly front closure, or "off the rack" pre-made clothing that has visible machine stitching and has not been altered to a period fit.
Underwaistcoats & Waistcoats: Made of a documented pattern and fabric.
1st Choice: Linen or wool, 1770s (short skirted) pattern, lined or unlined, with fabric covered or thread buttons.
2nd Choice: Linen or wool, 1770s (short skirted) pattern, lined or unlined, with metal (brass (better) or pewter (worse)) buttons.
Unacceptable: Military style waistcoats with regimentally marked pewter buttons.
Outer Garments:
1st Choice: Frock coats of wool or linen, with full skirts of period pattern.
2nd Choice: Jackets of wool or linen, with short skirts, round or mariner's cuffs, and made of period pattern.
Unacceptable: Farmer's frock, made of period fabric and of period pattern.
Unacceptable: Military coats of any kind, hunting shirts, knit scarves.
Accessories:
Civilian half-gaiters of a documented pattern and fabric can also be worn.
Stockings (with breeches) or socks (with trousers) should be hand woven or knit with a seam up the back.
- Chrome tanned leather and Native American items are not acceptable.
- If visual aids are necessary please wear contacts or period-correct frames, or make do without.
Shoes: Ideally handmade period-style shoes and buckles are ideal, though not required due to cost and availability. However, reproduction shoes are required.
Cartridge Boxes:
1st Choice: Documented militia or early Continental soft-bodied Cartridge Pouch with leather, hemp or linen webbing strap.
2nd Choice: Documented civilian/militia belly box on waistbelt.
3rd Choice: Powder horn and shot pouch.
Acceptable but discouraged: 9 or 18 round British Government cartridge pouch, preferably without embossed GR mark.
Unacceptable: British "Rawle", or fanning's cartridge box, Continental new construction box.
Canteens:
1st Choice: Wood cheesebox, or staved canteens of documented period pattern.
2nd Choice: Tin canteens of kidney or halfmoon shape
Unacceptable: Wool canteen covers on canteens.
Packs:
1st Choice: Small single pocket, painted or unpainted knapsack. Virtually a "haversack" with two shoulder straps, a cross strap, and closed by buttons or ties.
2nd Choice: Linen wallet, or tumpline.
Unacceptable: Warner or Isaac Royall house pattern knapsacks or other military pattern knapsack.
Hunting Swords, Belt Knifes, and Hatchets:
1st Choice: Hatchet with cover (NPS Regulation) on appropriate belt or carriage.
2nd Choice: Hanger, cutlass, or hunting sword of period design, with appropriate scabbard and carriage or belt.
Unacceptable: Hunting knife with scabbard on belt or carriage.
Muskets:
*All must be properly fitted with flashguards and hammerstalls as per NPS Safety Regulations. If your musket has a proper fitting bayonet please bring it!!! As per NPS Safety Regulations bayonets must be accompanied with a proper fitting scabbard. Bayonet scabbards should be of an early war American pattern, and again as a last resort British Government scabbards are acceptable.
1st Choice: Committee of Safety Patterns, Dutch Models, Fowlers, Sea Service, or first Land pattern muskets.
2nd Choice: French or Spanish muskets predating 1750.
Acceptable but discouraged: British 2nd Land Pattern muskets.
Unacceptable: French muskets post dating 1750, German muskets, rifles.
Conclusion
These Authenticity Standards are not exclusive, and do not list every item of kit. Notably, individuals' mess items, personal effects, gun tools and cleaning supplies, etc.
It is hoped that individuals pack as light as possible and only take essential items while still meeting the various Massachusetts Militia Requirements.