We are a Company of Musket, and as such our clothing, kit, drill and weapons shall reflect that fact. Therefore, short carbines, flintlocks, clothing and kit representative of cavalry are to be phased out (i.e. no Dragoon gear). Where clothing, kit and/or weapons become worn out or damaged, ALL replacements should be consistent with that of a musketeer. ALL NEW members should be encouraged to make purchases that subscribe to the following recommendations and ALL existing members should make consideration to replacing their own equipment in line with these recommendations.

Rank & File

Shoes
Latchet type, open or closed sided soldiers shoes or start ups. (NO desert boots. Bucket top boots are only for officers, beer tent or banquets.)

Hose
Hand knitted wool or woollen cloth, in an authentic colour. (No white sea-boot socks, cotton hose or rolled down extra socks.)

Breeches
Wool, dull brick colour, loose fitting and tied below the knee with wool or linen ties. Buttons should be of pewter. (No belt loops, but leather or linen lined pockets are authentic.)

Shirt
Should be of nightshirt length, made out of white or cream linen. Collars should be of a plain design – no frills on the collars or cuffs.

Coat
A ‘soldiers coat’ – no doublets. The coat should be of dark green wool, with linen or wool lining. Buttons should be of pewter and strung on shanks. (If machine sewn all seams and button holes should be over-sewn by hand.)

Hat
Green montero or woollen Monmouth Cap or wide brimmed felt hat in brown or grey. Brims should be worn down – no feathers or badges, although a plain hatband is acceptable.

Gloves
Optional – in wool or leather. (No cavalry gauntlets.)

Musket
Matchlock design, of minimum 38” length 12 bore, with wooded scouring stick. (If possible, a 42” hexagonal design with fish-tail stock, should be purchased.)

Bandoliers
Shall be used to fire measured charges. They can be wood, leather or pewter topped. (Type recommended - the design sold by Paul Meekins on Traders Row.)

Powder Flask
Should be made of wood to a 17th Cent pattern. The SK requires that ALL flasks are fitted with a safety bung or are designed to split along the seam in the event of blowing. The flasks should be used for the purpose of priming and should be fitted with an appropriate powder release measure.

Water Bottle
Should be made of leather to a 17th Cent pattern. NB: ALL musketeers MUST carry water for reasons of safety.

Leatherwork – Baldrics/Straps/Belts/Purses
Should be of a buff or un-tanned leather – not polished leather. Do not buy baldrics with buckles and keep any belt buckles hidden under the soldiers coat – buckles were a rarity and not within the ordinary mans purchasing power. Elaborate leather work, ornate decorations and designs on pouches and/or purses should be avoided – again this is gentry kit.

Sword
Should be a plain hanger. (No ornate basket-hilts, swept rapiers, etc..)

Corporal

As for the rank & file – there are no obvious distinctions.

Sergeant

As for the rank & file – except when taking a field command role, then the sergeant will wear a sash around the waist and carry a halberd to denote their rank. A morion helmet may also be worn when taking a field command role.
NB: Sashes and helmets will not be worn when in the ranks.

Officers

Attire shall be comparable with the officers’ rank and standing – doublet with slashed sleeves, frills on collar and cuffs of shirt, wide brimmed felt hat with feathers, bucket top boots, etc. A scarf shall be worn diagonally and a partisan or half-pike shall be carried to denote rank.

As said before – I am not expecting existing members to rush out and re-equip themselves, after all you cannot teach an ‘old git’ new tricks. But remember, those of you who at present have the clothing, kit and weapons associated with being a Northampton Dragoone are and will have the honour to be… the last of Northampton's Dragoones.

Do not think that the authenticity police are on the prowl. This is our opportunity to respond to some myths and dubious notions that have prevailed within the Regiment. This is as much a phasing out and as it is a phasing in process. It is still my belief that both New and Old members will actually save and benefit from the fact that expensive carbines, flintlocks, basket-hilt swords and bucket top boots, etc., will be off the equipment list.

To ALL - please, take time to talk to the new members about the right kind of kit and help them make the right kind of purchases. For example – Shoes - these should be the first realistic purchase for new members. Most other kit can be loaned from the quartermaster – but as we all know it doesn’t matter how good the rest of your kit is, if the shoes aren’t right, then the whole thing looks wrong. 

Remember - We have all opted to join a 17th Century re-enactment group so we might as well look the part.

 

Sean Murray

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