Light Infantry

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Colonel Ogden’s 1 New=Jersey Regiment
1781
NJ Light Infantry
“Ogden’s Coy.
Barber’s Battalion”
Clothing & Equipment
Guidelines & Standards
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1 New=Jersey Impressions Committee: Tim Abbott, Marie Caron, Ken Gavin,
Mike Jesberger, Talya Leodari, Jeni Scarsbrick, Larry Schmidt, Tom Vogeley © 9/26/2015
In February, 1781, five amalgamated companies of picked men,
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selected from among the 1 and 2 NJ regiments, were designated
as Light Infantry to serve in Lt. Colonel Francis Barber’s provisional
battalion with the Marquis de Lafayette. The Light Infantry
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impression of Colonel Ogden’s 1 New Jersey Regiment of the
Continental Line is based on the 1781 service of the company
commanded by Captain Aaron Ogden, Colonel Matthias Ogden’s
younger brother.
Captain Ogden’s Company campaigned in Virginia on special service
as part of McPherson’s Legionary Corps, and was the only element of
Barber’s Battalion engaged at Spencer’s Ordinary and Green Spring.
The company returned to service with the rest of Barber’s Battalion
for the siege of Yorktown, where later that October the NJ Light
infantry took part in the night assault on Redoubt No.10.
The “Clothing & Equipment Guidelines & Standards” for our 1781Light Infantry impression are presented as a table, with rows for
each category of clothing or equipment and columns headed as “Preferred”, “Acceptable”, “Discouraged” or “Unacceptable.”
The “Preferred” standard is the level of authenticity that we hope each of our members with the desire to do so can ultimately
achieve. Items described in this category have been well researched and documented and are most appropriate for this
impression. We have often included the names of makers who are excellent sources for examples of preferred items.
The “Acceptable” standard includes items that are authentic for this impression but which may be variants of the preferred
standard, be less commonly represented, or which the Committee feels are adequate for those who do not have the preferred
item. There are a couple of items in this category that should have low representation, such as breeches and trowsers.
The “Discouraged” category includes items which may be appropriate for other impressions but not for the NJ Light Infantry in
1781; which are not constructed in the desired pattern or method, or which are poorly documented, while the “Unacceptable”
category is reserved for items that either have no documentation or no application for this impression.
Documentation for Clothing Procured and Issued to Lafayette’s Light Infantry in 1781
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The 1 New Jersey troops selected to participate in the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1781 campaign
in Virginia included its entire light company under Captain Jonathan Forman and two other
companies, one of which was commanded by Captain Aaron Ogden, and all three brought to
strength with drafts from the remaining companies. Many of these men were already
accustomed to light infantry service. During late summer and autumn of 1780, four
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companies of the 1 NJ, including Captain Aaron Ogden’s, had formed a light battalion in
Lafayette’s provisional Light Division under Colonel Matthias Ogden.
Lafayette had provided his light troops in 1780 with distinctive black and red plumes, though
how many of these would have still been available for use in the 1781 campaign is a matter of
conjecture. Those that remained serviceable would have been returned to the quartermaster
after the Light Division dissolved and the regular companies reverted to line troops when the
army went into winter quarters in December, 1780. It is possible that the provisional light
companies from 1780 might have retrieved their plumes in February, 1781, or that the regular
light company under Captain Forman retained theirs, but conclusive evidence is lacking
either way. Our interpretation of Ogden’s Light Company in 1781 allows for the possibility
that some of its members still had or retrieved their plumes. Both Ogden brothers and
Lafayette were on friendly terms and it seems unlikely that a gift from the Marquis just a few
months before would have been neglected when reforming the Light Battalions.
A standing order from August 2, 1780 states: “As there is a very great scarcity of bayonet belts and scabbards the General directs that the
troops keep their bayonets constantly fix'd except when cleaning as well in camp as on every kind of duty whatever with arms. This is to be
considered as a standing order.” As there is no evidence that it was ever rescinded, and since a subsequent order specifically
instructed the Light Companies to turn in their scabbards and slings to their respective regiments, the preferred carriage for
bayonets for this 1781 Light Infantry Impression is to carry them fixed, with no scabbard or sling.
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Washington issued specific orders to Lafayette on February 20 , 1781 that established his authorized sources of supplies and
equipment for his campaign:
“You will make your arrangemnts (sic) with the Qr. Master General concerning the route you are to take, concerning transportation, tents,
intrenching (sic) tools and other articles in his department of which you may stand in need; with the Commissary General concerning provisions;
with the Clothier concerning Clothing, shoes &c. And with General Knox, concerning the artillery and stores you will want for the expedition.”
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Clothing returns From February 20 , 1781 for a part of the Light Infantry under
Lafayette (not including Barber’s Battalion) listed the numbers of Hats, Stocks,
Shirts, Coats, Vests, Blankets and Shoe Buckles that were lacking. On February
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16 the Jersey Brigade commander had been ordered to furnish each of the New
Jersey light troops under Barber with a spare pair of shoes, but by the time
Lafayette reached Baltimore that April, the soldiers’ old winter clothing was in
deplorable condition.
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Lafayette wrote to Washington on April 14 , 1781:
“Many Articles, and Indeed Every one which Compose the Apparatus of a soldier, will
Be Wanting for this Detachement. But Shoes, Linnen Over alls, Hunting shirts, Shirts
and Ammunition will Be the Most Necessary supplies…”
He was even more candid in his assessment in a letter on April 17, 1781 to
General Nathaniel Greene:
“…Every farthing of Monney (sic) has been spent, Every Shoe Worn out, and many
Hatts Lost in the Navigation, and that Want of Linnen Has given a dreadful itch to a
great part of our men…Shokingly (sic) Destitute of Linnen…”
The need for replacement clothing, suitable for summer weather, compelled
Lafayette to procure locally on his own credit while sending officers back to petition the Board of War and their own States for
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assistance. On April 18 he wrote to Washington:
“The merchants of Baltimore lent me a sum of 2000l., which will procure some shirts, linen, overalls, shoes, and a few hats. The ladies will
make up the shirts, and the overalls will be made by the detachment, so that our soldiers have a chance of being a little more comfortable…”
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Washington made an effort to provide for Lafayette’s soldiers, writing on April 20 :
“We must endeavour to compensate these detachments for the loss of state supplies by giving them a larger proportion of Continental. On this
principle I am sending you the articles mentioned in the inclosed list. 1200 Shirts, 1200 linen Overalls, 1200 pr. shoes, 1200 socks, 100
Hunting Shirts, which set out two days ago from this place. I have also urged the Board of War to do their best for you.”
These clothing supplies, however, took months to arrive, and Lafayette took it upon himself late in April to establish greater
uniformity by providing the tailors of the battalions with patterns for light infantry jackets “…calculated to the season and
climate”…and ordering that the men’s felt hats be modified to make light infantry caps. There were several issues of hunting
shirts during the next few months, along with woolen vests, and some old uniform coats may have been cut down in early May as
well.
There are still too many questions to resolve about the pattern and construction of those Light Infantry jackets “calculated to the
season and climate”, and after June 1781 there were more hunting shirts issued. Therefore, for our 1781 Light Infantry impression
short hunting shirts and linen overalls are preferred as the most common and best documented garments, with felt light infantry
caps bound with horse or cow tail crests and bound with white tape.
While these guidelines have been designed for enlisted
impressions, Light Company officers should ensure that
their insignia and badges of rank conform to the General
Orders of June and July, 1780, which did away with
cockades in colors corresponding to officer rank. Line
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officers commanding the 1 NJ Light Company should
wear a single silver epaulet: captains on the right
shoulder and subalterns on the left. They should wear
black and white “Alliance” cockades on their felt Light
Infantry caps, which may either be identical to the
enlisted men’s wool felt or of “officer grade” beaver felt.
Ideally, officers would carry small swords similar to
those presented by Lafayette to those in his Light
Division in 1780, if such can be found. There is a
surviving example of the one carried by Lt. Colonel
Francis Barber, shown at left, on display at the museum
at the New Windsor Cantonment
1st NJ Impressions Committee: Tim Abbott, Marie Caron, Ken Gavin, Mike Jesberger, Talya Leodari, Jeni Scarsbrick, Larry Schmidt, Tom Vogeley
Colonel Ogden’s 1st New=Jersey Impressions Committee 9/26/2015
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
Military Cap
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
Round blocked, hand-sewn /
hand-finished wool felt Light
Infantry Cap in the preferred
regimental pattern (see below),
with horsetail or cowtail crest,
with Light Infantry plume and
cockade, bound in white
worsted tape
Same as preferred, but with
Alliance cockade
Other styles of
Light Infantry caps
or helmets
Other styles of
Military
Cocked Hats
or uncocked
hats
(Excellent sources: Eric Lichack
of Early American Music and
Arts; Andrew Watson Kirk,
Hatter;
Round blocked, hand-sewn /
hand-finished wool felt hat, shortbrimmed, unbound, uncocked.
Same as preferred, but without
crest
Same as preferred, but without
plume
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
Neck Stock /
Neckerchief
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
Hand-sewn / hand-finished
military neck stock of black
horsehair fabric, stiffened with
buckram, lined with black linen,
with black leather tabs and black
linen tape ties (Excellent
sources: Roy Najecki, the
Stitching Dutchman)
Hand-finished linen or cotton
printed, spotted or patterned
neckerchiefs or neck rollers in
period documented colors and
patterns (Excellent source:
Burnley & Trowbridge
British style metal
stock clasps
Triangular
neckerchiefs
or bandanas
from other
time periods
Plain or black linen covered
leather military neck stock
Hand-finished black linen
neckstock (Excellent source:
April Thomas of Fashions
Revisited)
Hand finished neckerchiefs in
period documented printed,
spotted or patterned silk
French or American style metal
stock clasps
White linen or silk
hand-sewn / handfinished neck stock
or neckerchiefs
(acceptable for
officers only)
Detached
ruffles
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
Body Shirt
Waistcoat
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
(Hand-sewn, hand-finished),
white or small blue or black
checked linen shirt, with long
tails and small cuffs, having one
or two Dorset thread buttons at
the neck and either thread
buttons or period sleeve links at
the cuff (Excellent sources for
buttons: Blue Cat Button
Works, Wm. Booth, Draper.
Excellent sources for sleeve
links: At the Eastern Door, Roy
Najecki)
(Hand sewn, hand-finished
preferred)
Visible machine
stitching
Shirts with
permanent
ruffles at the
neck and/or
cuff
(Hand-sewn, hand-finished)
military issue late war style short
skirted waistcoat or belted
waistcoat in red, brown, blue,
white or buff wool, optional
linen lining, small flat white
metal buttons
Later 1770s style civilian
waistcoat (hand- sewn/ handfinished) in above wool colors or
green, or natural, brown, white
or light colored linen, or striped
linsey or linen, with cloth or
fabric covered civilian buttons
linen shirt with small red or brown Wide cuffs, short
checks or striped in period
tails
documented colors and patterns
(otherwise as per Preferred style) Metal, wood or
bone closures
No shirt, or lousy, ragged one.
Wide checks or
solid purple, green,
pink, orange or red
linen
Gray or black wool broadcloth
Worsted wool cloth in period
colors
Brass, carved, bone, horn or
wood buttons (civilian
waistcoats only)
Flannel or cotton
Visible machine
stitching
Wide check without
period
documentation
Purple, yellow
orange
Patterned linen or Bengal stripe
French Contract smallclothes
Superfine
broadcloth or
shalloon lining
(acceptable for
officers only)
Modern
fabrics
Silk shirts
Farmers
smocks
F&I style or
longer skirted
waistcoats
Upholstery
fabric
Ill-fitting or
baggy
waistcoats
Sleeves
1777 1st NJ
Line
Impression
Breeches*
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
(Hand-sewn / hand-finished,
well-fit, 2 button fall front)
(Hand-sewn, hand-finished
preferred, well-fit)
3 button fall front
French fly
breeches
*Should be
much less
prevalent
than Gaiterer
Trowsers for
this
Impression
Leather breeches in period
tanned buckskin, elk or sheep
leather, unlined, leather covered
buttons, leather knee ties
White or natural linen breeches
with 2 button fall front and
buckled knee bands
Gaitered
Overalls*,
Trousers**
and other
leg
coverings
*should
predominate
for this
impression
** not listed
as issued
items
White, brown, blue, red, drab,
green, or black kersey, linseywoolsey, serge or broadcloth
breeches (linen-lined), or white
drill / hemp canvas breeches
(linen lining optional), with
buckled knee bands
(Hand-sewn / hand-finished,
well-fit, with 2 button fall front,
covered or pewter buttons )
Period documented corduroy or
plush fabric breeches with 2
button fall front and buckled knee
bands
Knee bands with linen string or
leather ties in place of missing
knee buckles
(Hand-sewn / hand-finished
preferred, well-fit, 2 button fall
front, covered or pewter buttons)
Visible machine
stitching
Superfine
broadcloth
(acceptable for
officers only)
Very large checked
linen trousers
Pantaloons or
extremely
loose fitting
breeches
French
contract
smallclothes
Extremely
loose fitting
overalls
3 button fall front
Gaitered overalls in natural,
brown or half bleached linen or
osnaburg (preferred for
summer), closely fitted at the
thigh, calf, and stirrup, 5
covered or pewter buttons at the
ankle and a cloth or leather
stirrup.
Trowsers with black spatterdash
military half gaiters (should have
low representation) in white or
natural linen or linen that has
been stamped or checked in
blue, brown, black or red.
Gaitered overalls in striped linen
ticking
Visible machine
stitching
Solid purple,
orange, red, pink,
green linen fabric
Farmer’s wool half
gaiters
Tall military
gaiters
Indian
leggings
Slops
100% Cotton
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
Socks,
Stockings &
Garters
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
(Hand knit or period machine
knit)
(Hand or period machine knit)
Modern machine
made wool
stockings
Cotton or
modern fiber
stockings
Clocked silk or
1 ply 100% wool
hand knit stockings
(acceptable for
officers only)
Tube socks
Socks: Worn with Overalls or
Trowsers, white or gray 2 ply
100% wool yarn or worsted
(crewel) knit socks with heel, toe
and backseams (Excellent
Sources: Bethlehem Trading
Company)
Stockings: Worn with Breeches:
white or gray 2 ply 100% wool
yarn or worsted (crewel) knit
stockings with heel, toe and
backseams (Excellent Sources:
Bethlehem Trading Company,
South Union Mills or Anne Eaton
of Black Sheep Farm in ME)
Garters: military narrow black
leather garters with period
documented small rectangular
or oval iron, pewter, brass or
tinplated buckles with tongues
more commonly having two
prongs and no role (Possible
buckle source: At the Eastern
Door).
Brown, black, blue or mixed feet
and tops in period documented
color combinations in natural 2
ply 100% wool yarn or worsted
stockings with heel, toe and
backseams
Ribbed 100% wool or worsted
yarn knit stockings
White or brown linen thread knit
stockings in period documented
colors with heel & toe (Excellent
Source: Mona Hubbart West
Wind Traders).
Cotton tape garters
Black silk garters
(acceptable for
officers only)
Vertically striped
knit stockings
No stockings or socks
Period documented civilian finger
woven thread garters, with or
without leather ties and tied
rather than buckled
Small iron, pewter, plated brass,
nickel or tin rectangular, oval,
double oval or square garter
buckles with tongues having a
single tab or prong
improvised garters
of worsted, natural
osnaberg linen
fabric or tape or
rawhide without
buckles
Lateral striped
stockings
Red, Yellow,
Orange,
Green and
Purple yarn.
Trekker sash
style garters
Native
American
woven/beaded
garters
Garters worn
outside of
overalls
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
Shoes
Hunting
Frock/Shirt*
* Patterns
based on
Neal Hurst’s
research
strongly
preferred
(This was an
Issue item in
1781 and is
worn in
preference to
a regimental
for this
impression)
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
Hand-finished, short or long
quartered, straight lasted round
toe shoes with black waxed calf
uppers, rough side out, fitted for
period documented plain brass
buckles or strings. (Excellent
sources:, Sean Pekar, C&D
Jarnigan)
(Hand–sewn / hand-finished)
Machine made, black leather,
rough side out, round toe shoes,
straight or crooked lasted, with
plain brass buckles or strings.
(Acceptable Source: Fugawee)
High-lows
Modern
footwear
Military issue natural osnaburg
short skirted linen hunting frock
(constructed according to Neal
Hurst’s thesis research or
regiment’s pattern when such is
available, having a split front,
Dorset thread button closures,
and a single cape. Fringe light
to moderate at the bottom, on
both sides of the split front,
around the edge of the cape and
(optionally) the middle of the
bicep on both arms
(Excellent fabric source:
Medium weight natural linen
from Burnley & Trowbridge)
Square toes
Plain pewter
buckles
Hob-nails
(Hand-sewn / hand- finished
preferred)
Smooth side out
Dyed linen
Boots or
Moccasins
Ornate
buckles
Frocks below
mid thigh
Multiple capes
Same as Preferred but with
pleated forearm sleeves and
bicep fringe
Same as Preferred but with
fringe only at the edge of the
cape, otherwise unhemmed at
the split and bottom
Same as Preferred but with
small, flat white metal button
closures
Same as Preferred but in white
bleached linen
Heavy or
decorative fringe
Visible machine
stitching
Large buttons and
metal buttons other
than pewter
Wood or bone
closures
Frocks reaching
mid thigh
Red wool cuffs
and/or collar
Closed front
“hunting
smocks”,
neither those
with nor
without capes
The use of
any belt or
sash as a
closure
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
Coat
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
None
(Hand-sewn / hand-finished, well- Slashed cuffs
fit)
Large lain buttons
Conjectural 1780 NJ regimental
coat, modified for Light Infantry
Superfine
service: (Henry Cooke Pattern)
broadcloth coat
body and /or
Specifications include 100% dark facings and
blue wool broadcloth coat body
shaloon lining
with fully functional buff
(acceptable for
broadcloth cuff, collar and lapel
officers only)
facings; fully lined in white bay;
coatee-length short skirts with
Old and worn out
turn backs; 3 button functional
French contract
pockets; large plain “USA”
coats (Nov 1778
pewter buttons, worked
issue, Blue with red
buttonholes. No wings, except
facings)
possibly for NCOs, as these
coats would have been cut down Wool blends with
from those of regular length
modern fibers
issued in late 1780 or early 1781
to the 1st NJ and were not
Visible machine
specifically made for a light
stitching
company.
Unacceptable
Civilian coats
or sleeved
jackets
Any other Blue
wool
regimental
coats with red
facings
New Jersey
Script Buttons
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
Knapsack*
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
(Hand-sewn / hand-finished)
(Hand-sewn / hand-finished)
Fur knapsacks
Market wallets
*Soldiers will
form line with
their
knapsacks
unless
ordered not
to do so.
Benjamin Warner style two strap
linen canvas knapsack with two
pouches, iron buckles, linen or
leather straps, exterior painted
“Spanish Brown”. (Excellent
Source: Stuart Lilie’s Warner Kit
from Fort Ticonderoga)
New Invented Knapsack &
Haversack single leather strap,
iron buckles, exterior painted
“Spanish Brown”, 1st NJ stencil
optional but conjectural
Leather knapsacks.
Snapsacks or
duffel style
knapsacks
Blanket*
(Hand woven 100% wool)
(Hand woven 100% wool)
*prefer
blankets to
be carried
rolled and
tied to
knapsack or
with tumpline
and knapsack
together
2-3 point blanket
Plain white or Hudson Bay
blankets
Plain linen single envelope small
“Uhl pattern” knapsack or similar
type with pewter button closures
and linen straps
”Dutch” contract blanket
British blankets (captured item)
Tumplines used
without knapsacks
Machine made
knapsacks
Machine woven
Hudson Bay or
plain white blankets
Blankets of
any other type
or material
and from any
other time
period
English “Rose” blanket
French army blankets
Center seam American made
civilian blankets
(Excellent Sources: Robert G.
Stone, handweaver for all or Jim
Mullins for “Dutch contract”
blankets)
Less than
100% wool
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
Haversack
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
Natural linen haversack (with or
without three button closures),
worn high against the body.
White linen haversack, worn as
per preferred style
Any other style
haversack
Hunting bags
Market wallets
No haversack
Cartridge
Pouch
(Excellent Source: Roy Najecki’s
American Haversack Kit)
New invented late war American
Cartridge Box, a hard box with
29 holes and a leather strap
painted white.
Tin or sheet Iron cartridge
canisters, with or without black
Japaning, with a narrow black
leather or hemp webbing
carriage strap and small iron
buckle.
Pouches in other
than black leather
Carriage straps
greater than 2”
wide.
Overly filled
haversacks
36 or 19 hole
blocks .
Belly boxes
F&I style
pouches
23 or 24 hole soft
cartridge pouches
Shot pouches
(a few may have
been carried, based Powder horns
on issues of
cartridges in
amounts of 23 or
29 to the same unit)
(Excellent source: Shaun Pekar)
French Model 1767 32 round
hard cartridge box
(Excellent source: G. Gedney
Godwin)
(Excellent Source: Hot Dipped
Tin)
Late War boxes with Black or
buff leather carriage straps
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
Canteen*
Preferred
Period documented coopered
wooden stave canteen with
* Staved
bark, leather or iron bands,
canteen may narrow linen or hemp webbing
optionally be
sling or 4mm or ¼” hemp cord,
painted with
worn above hip and below ribs
(Excellent sources: Eric
period blue
Swanson, Norm Fuss, Bill
milk paint
after surviving Payson)
example with
NJ attribution Optionally, stamped “U.States”
Excellent source: Andrew
Watson Kirk)
Private’s
Side Arms,
Frog and
Sling
Appropriate bayonet for style of
musket carried, fixed to the
musket and without any frog or
carriage sling.
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
Period documented cheesebox
canteen with narrow linen or
hemp webbing or 4mm hemp
cord sling, may optionally be
stamped “U. States”) (Excellent
sources: Eric Swanson or Bill
Payson)
Leather bottles
Wool covers
on metal
canteens
Runlets without
documented
Continental issue
Stainless steel
canteens
Gourds
Period documented tin canteen
slung as per preferred methods.
(Excellent sources: Hot Dip Tin;
Carl Giordano, Tinsmith)
Black leather single frog with
white painted leather, black or
buff leather sling, worn to hang
between hip and ribs
French style bayonet frogs and
slings , including frogs
incorporated with cartridge box
carriage sling.
Glass bottle
canteens in
leather covers
Double frogs
Camp axes or
fascine knives worn
with sheaths and
slings.
Ceramic
canteens
Tomahawks
Waist belts
Sword/hanger
Belt or neck
knives
Pistols
Limited number of camp hatchets
and fascine knives carried
strapped to packs with sheathes
as per safety regulations
Detachable
riveted
bayonet frog
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
NCO
Insignia,
Sashes, Side
Arms, Frog
and Sling
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
Insignia: hand sewn white
worsted epaulettes - just a
single epaulette on right
shoulder for corporals (Excellent
source: Roy Najecki)
Insignia: White strip(s) of 100%
wool broadcloth worn as
epaulette(s)
Insignia: Machine
sewn white worsted
epaulettes
Insignia: red
or green early
war epaulets
Sash: sprang woven NCO sash
in solid red or wine color with
tassels (Excellent source:
Sashweaver: Carol James, fiber
artist)
Sash: Machine
woven red or wine
colored NCO sash
Sash:
bicolored
British style
NCO sashes
Sash: none
Side Arms: Appropriate bayonet
for style of musket, carried fixed
with arms advanced
French made brass hilted NCO
hanger with intertwined “USA”
on the branch of the guard, with
sheath
Side Arms: Model 1767 French
Infantry Sword with sheath
American made iron or brass
hilted hanger with sheath
Side Arms:
tomahawks
Belt or neck
knives
Pistols
Frog and Sling: double frog with
painted leather sling.
Waist belt: buff or bridle leather
British or French double frogged
sword and bayonet belt with
period brass or iron buckle
Waist belt: : 2” wide Buff leather
waist belt and frog with open
oval French Infantry 1780 era
brass plate marked USA
(Excellent Buckle source Roy
Najecki)
Side Arms: British
grenadier’s hanger
Gentleman’s
small sword
British stand
of arms belt &
detachable
riveted
bayonet frog
1781 1st NJ
Light Co.
Impression
Firelock,
Sling,
Musket
Tools
Preferred
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
Model 1728, 1763 or 1763/66
French Infantry muskets
1777 pattern French infantry
muskets
Model 1740
Potsdam Muskets
Rifles
Rammers: Metal
Dutch Muskets
Committee of
Safety muskets
Fusils
Slings: none
Whisk and Pick: horsehair or
natural broom straw /sedge
whisk and iron forged or period
wire pick on a brass or period
wire or waxed linen thread chain
Musket tools: period
documented British “Y” , French
or American manufactured
musket tool
Iron worm tapped for rammer
British long or short land pattern
“Brown Bess” infantry muskets
Wilson marked NJ
contract muskets
Slings: black, white, buff, brown
untanned natural leather
3rd pattern
British infantry
muskets
Blunderbuss
Fowler Muskets in
New England,
Hudson Valley or
southern styles
adapted for
bayonets
Whisk and Pick:
brass shell casing
used to house
whisk,
Brass or modern
wire pick
Pickering’s Musket
Tool
Carbines
Fowlers w/o
bayonet
adaptation
Rammers:
wooden
Wire worm for
wooden
ramrod
Wall guns /
ambusettes
.
1781 1st NJ
Preferred
Light Co.
Impression
Personal
Cup: period documented tin
Eating Items cup, half pint or less (Excellent
Sources: Carl Giordano,
Tinsmith; Hot Dip Tin)
Period constructed horn cup or
tumbler (Excellent Source: Gen
Nis See Yo Trading Co.)
Period documented wooden
noggin (Excellent Source: Gen
Nis See Yo Trading Co.)
Acceptable
Discouraged
Unacceptable
Period documented tin cup
between half pint and 20 oz
capacity or tin tumbler (Excellent
Sources: Carl Giordano,
Tinsmith; Hot Dip Tin
Pewter, pottery or
coopered tankards
Glassware /
stemware
Bone handled forks
or spoons
Bone handled
table knives
Period documented redware or
(less commonly) stoneware mug
(garrison events only)
Large bowls or
plates
Modern
pewter or
pottery styles
Period documented tin plated
bowls
Bowl: turned wooden bowl
Treenware trencher
Spoon: period documented
horn, carved wooden or pewter
spoon with or without handle
removed
Period documented redware or
pewter bowl or shallow plate
(garrison events only)
Forged iron two pronged forks
Fork: twisted iron wire fork
Clasp Knife: period documented
American made folding spear or
sheepsfoot or British import
clasp knife (Excellent Sources:
Beaver River Trading Company,
Gen Nis He Yo Trading Co, At
the Eastern Door)
French clasp knives (Excellent
Source: Beaver River Trading
Company)
Hands and fingers
Enamelware
Copper or
brassware
Plastic
Ideas for Implementing these Guidelines:
st
The Guidelines and Standards presented here are intended to help members of the 1 New=Jersey sharpen our 1781 Light
Infantry impression by making informed choices about the clothing we wear and the equipment we carry. We are a reliable,
veteran unit and all of us are in this together. Material culture is an important part of our impression, but so too is the supportive
culture of our unit. We offer these guidelines in that spirit, and stand ready to help any member who wishes to follow these
recommendations.
Notes about tailoring: In nearly every case - shoes are a deliberate exception - the preferred clothing standard calls for hand
sewn, hand finished, well-fit items. The most important thing, though, is that our clothing fits us properly. It is well worth
taking the time to adjust the fit of items we already have as well as new ones we may later acquire. While not the preferred
standard, it is also acceptable to have clothing that is hand finished and well-fit but machine sewn where the stitches are not
visible. There are even some careful top stitching techniques that, when done knowledgably by a skilled tailor with a good
th
machine, may be more convincing as 18 century stitching than some modern hand sewing. Caution is required, though, as this
is not true of all machine sewing. If you decide to use machine sewing for anything visible, we strongly advise you to thoroughly
vet your tailor or be sure you understand how to accomplish this yourself.
If you are just starting out: It is better to make upgrades over time than to over-purchase initially. These guidelines should help
you avoid making purchases you may later regret, and you do not need to have every item to field an excellent 1781 Light
Infantry impression. Proper fit clothing made with suitable materials, and accoutrements that hang properly, will more than
make up for items you may be lacking for a while. The proper cap with well fitted hunting shirt and overalls will go a long way
toward establishing your impression while you work on the accoutrements (and a French Musket if you don’t have one).
If you are looking to upgrade: Get the right cap and some well-fitting overalls and the preferred pattern hunting shirt. Get the
late war pattern cartridge box. Consider getting a late war belted waistcoat. Most of the rest of your gear that is acceptable for
1781 will work fine. Re-fit your existing clothing and shorten the straps on your gear and haversack. NCOs should get proper
white worsted epaulettes. Officers should have proper late war insignia and Alliance cockades.
Above all, remember that we are all learning together! Ask questions, support each other and have fun!
1st NJ Impressions Committee: Tim Abbott, Marie Caron, Ken Gavin, Mike Jesberger, Talya Leodari, Jeni Scarsbrick, Larry Schmidt, Tom Vogeley