Post by Rogers 134 on Mar 4, 2017 0:35:58 GMT
Presently, there exists some debate concerning the nature of a 'rifle pattern' jacket. This thread shall be used to gather any and all evidence which can help build towards a comprehensive image of the 5/60th Rifle Pattern Jackets; in relation to the jackets of other Rifle Corps during the period 1804-1808.
The first notable source is found in Letters to General Officers and Public Departments (WO3/35) at the National Archives. Dated 13th July 1802, it announces the commencement of the King's orders to ensure all jackets in Rifle-equipped units shall conform to a regulated 'Rifle Pattern':
WO3/35
Horse Guards
13th July 1802
It is his majesties pleasure, that all companies, corps, battalions or regiments of Rifle Men in his service, should be clothed, in one and the same kind of uniform jacket, without any further variation than the distinction of facing and button.
I herewith transmit to you, by the Com. in Chief's order a Pattern Jacket for the general use of Rifle Corps, which his majesty has approved, and which by HRH's command, is to be lodged in the office of the comptroller of the army accounts, to be had recourse to, as circumstances may require.
I beg you will be so good as to direct any patterns of Rifle jackets, now in your office, to be returned, as being of no further use.
Tho. Fauquier Esq.
The most overt conclusion that can be drawn from this letter is that until the issue of this order, there existed considerable differences among the uniform jackets of Rifle corps. The extremity of these differences may not be known, but they were evidently regarded as so noticeably varied as to warrant a brand-new issue of jackets for all units, and without exemption.
Chronologically, these revisions to the Rifle Pattern Jacket correlate with the transition from the
;to the more recognisable Rifle uniforms, as outlined in the Draft 1802 Clothing Warrants. And as yet, no correspondence has been uncovered to overturn or amend this order, nor is there expected to be - it is therefore understood that; commencing 1802; the issue of jackets for all Rifle companies, corps, battalions and regiments would conform to a singular overarching pattern.
The letter also tells in explicit terms, that any obviated patterns were to be superseded by the singular Pattern Jacket; leaving absolutely no potential for the construction of each corps' jackets to diverge any further. Or at least one would believe that to be the case.
What then would that mean, if subsequent evidences could expose a marked divergence between the jackets of Rifle corps, as late as 1806?
John Augustus Atkinson (1775-1833) is a prominent artist of the period; renowned for his drawings of army life at home and abroad, during the Napoleonic conflicts. Of the many hand-coloured picture books published by Atkinson, one of particular interest contains his depiction of two Riflemen, published 1st January 1806, it contains a collection of his drawings.
Two variants of this illustration are known to exist; the first bears the colouring of the 5th Bttn. 60th Rgt. The other bears the colouring of the 2nd Bttn. 95th Rgt.
Several aspects of these prints strongly suggest that the original subjects of the drawing were Riflemen of the 5/60th, not their counterpart the 2/95th:
Playing spot-the-difference with the two variants consequently presents insurmountable evidence that the original illustration by J.A.Atkinson is a first-hand depiction of Riflemen in the 5th Battalion 60th Regiment (Rifles) c.1802-1806.
Many thanks to Curator Ian Williams and Photographer Louie Fasciolo of SPL Rare Books for providing high resolution images of the Atkinson print in their collection.
The entirety of Atkinson's book, and many other contemporary resources are available to read on their website:
www.splrarebooks.com/collection/view/a-picturesque-representation-of-the-naval-military-and-miscellaneous-costum/
The first notable source is found in Letters to General Officers and Public Departments (WO3/35) at the National Archives. Dated 13th July 1802, it announces the commencement of the King's orders to ensure all jackets in Rifle-equipped units shall conform to a regulated 'Rifle Pattern':
WO3/35
Horse Guards
13th July 1802
It is his majesties pleasure, that all companies, corps, battalions or regiments of Rifle Men in his service, should be clothed, in one and the same kind of uniform jacket, without any further variation than the distinction of facing and button.
I herewith transmit to you, by the Com. in Chief's order a Pattern Jacket for the general use of Rifle Corps, which his majesty has approved, and which by HRH's command, is to be lodged in the office of the comptroller of the army accounts, to be had recourse to, as circumstances may require.
I beg you will be so good as to direct any patterns of Rifle jackets, now in your office, to be returned, as being of no further use.
Tho. Fauquier Esq.
The most overt conclusion that can be drawn from this letter is that until the issue of this order, there existed considerable differences among the uniform jackets of Rifle corps. The extremity of these differences may not be known, but they were evidently regarded as so noticeably varied as to warrant a brand-new issue of jackets for all units, and without exemption.
Chronologically, these revisions to the Rifle Pattern Jacket correlate with the transition from the
;to the more recognisable Rifle uniforms, as outlined in the Draft 1802 Clothing Warrants. And as yet, no correspondence has been uncovered to overturn or amend this order, nor is there expected to be - it is therefore understood that; commencing 1802; the issue of jackets for all Rifle companies, corps, battalions and regiments would conform to a singular overarching pattern.The letter also tells in explicit terms, that any obviated patterns were to be superseded by the singular Pattern Jacket; leaving absolutely no potential for the construction of each corps' jackets to diverge any further. Or at least one would believe that to be the case.
What then would that mean, if subsequent evidences could expose a marked divergence between the jackets of Rifle corps, as late as 1806?
John Augustus Atkinson (1775-1833) is a prominent artist of the period; renowned for his drawings of army life at home and abroad, during the Napoleonic conflicts. Of the many hand-coloured picture books published by Atkinson, one of particular interest contains his depiction of two Riflemen, published 1st January 1806, it contains a collection of his drawings.
Two variants of this illustration are known to exist; the first bears the colouring of the 5th Bttn. 60th Rgt. The other bears the colouring of the 2nd Bttn. 95th Rgt.
Several aspects of these prints strongly suggest that the original subjects of the drawing were Riflemen of the 5/60th, not their counterpart the 2/95th:
- The use of a powder horn is exclusive to the 5/60th at this time. Pursuant to the Draft 1802 Warrant; all other rifle corps had been equipped with small copper priming flasks, carried in high pockets on the front of their jackets (the apparent omission of those pockets on the 5/60th's clothing warrant is another argument that Pattern Jacket variances persisted after 1802).
- Short-length 'continental' gaiters were only worn over the trouser by the 5/60th. The 2/95th wore gaiters beneath the trouser.
- The inclusion of a moustache on the 5/60th variant is damning evidence that Atkinson has observed the 5/60th and was cognisant of their outlandish customs of facial hair.
- The stripe of feathering on the Riflemen's trousers was exclusive to the 5/60th. The trousers of the 2/95th would have been rendered without feathering, piping or other adornments.
- It is known that the 2/95th did not have sweeping turn-backs on their jackets at this time - one may be forgiven to assume therefore, that the 5/60th did.
Playing spot-the-difference with the two variants consequently presents insurmountable evidence that the original illustration by J.A.Atkinson is a first-hand depiction of Riflemen in the 5th Battalion 60th Regiment (Rifles) c.1802-1806.
Many thanks to Curator Ian Williams and Photographer Louie Fasciolo of SPL Rare Books for providing high resolution images of the Atkinson print in their collection.
The entirety of Atkinson's book, and many other contemporary resources are available to read on their website:
www.splrarebooks.com/collection/view/a-picturesque-representation-of-the-naval-military-and-miscellaneous-costum/
