42nd F&I War Weapons

[Orvis]

Before you buy anything, check with your new unit to get their requirements/recommendations as to suppliers of cloth, tartan and so forth.

I concur with Luke as to his assessment of weapons for the F&I 42nd Regiment. G. Gedney Godwin still sells the regimental backsword - the hilt is an accurate copy of those produced for Highland regiments in the 3rd quarter of the 18th c. The blade is okay, but won't stand much abuse - somewhat soft steel. Also, the scabbard is wood lined, which is not authentic for the 1750's - the originals scabbards were made from pasteboard with a thin leather wrap, and probably iron fittings. I have a Mad Piper regimental backsword with a proper blade and scabbard, but it isn't for sale :-) Sadly, Mad Piper (Donnie Shearer) is not making swords anymore. As to dirks, you don't really need one - they were not issued and it depended on whether the soldier could afford one. Higher ranks (serjeants and officers) very likely had dirks. As to a pistol, they were issued in pairs. Your pistol would probably be okay for an officer, but not for a private soldier. There is one dealer who sells proper enlisted pistols: Middlesex Village Trading Company. If you get one, be very careful if you intend to shoot it with ball ammo - there have been quality concerns - I am personally aware of one Brown Bess of theirs that exploded a barrel with blank ammo. My understanding is that their gun barrels are not proof-tested. If you just want a pistol for looks, then no problem. NO sgian dhu! Hadn't been adapted then.

A couple of books that you will want to read before you lay your money down:

John Wallace, Scottish Swords and Dirks, Stackpole Books, 1970
Anthony D. Darling, Swords for the Highland Regiments 1757-1784, Andrew Mowbray, Inc Publishers, 1988
Anthony D. Darling, Weapons of the Highland Regiments 1740-1780, Museum Restoration Service, 1970/1995
Anthony D. Darling, Red Coat and Brown Bess, Museum Restoration Service, 1970
De Witt Bailey, Ph.D, Small Arms of the British Forces in America 1664-1815, Andrew Mowbray, Inc Publishers, 2009
James D. Scarlett, The Origins and Development of Military Tartans: A Re-Appraisal, Partizan Press, 2003

You can acquire these from reputable used book dealers - you might check Alibris.com - they will not be cheap (especially the first one), but should inform you with everything you need to know about regimental weapons.

I would also suggest reading some of the research papers on Peter E. MacDonalds website (www.scottishtartans.co.uk) - has excellent papers on regimental tartans, how 18th c. Highlanders probably wore their belted plaids, etc.


As to uniforms, what period of the war will you be portraying? Early war = buff facings and single-breasted jackets. Late war = blue facings and lapels. The regiment also wore belted plaids, philabegs with blue leggings, and sometimes wore moccasins in lieu of shoes.

Anyway, just something to think about.