Uniform books for the period?

[Argonor]

Hi

Just cleaned and based a handful of Ironclad Brits in HSU this weekend (I hate that hard alloy thyey are cast in, btw, I broke my ? mm drill    )

What sources are the best for the home service uniforms of the 1880's-1890's?

I'm probably not going to start painting before next weekend, as I have a pack of werewolves to clean and base, too, to have a suitable batch for priming.... so I have time to order some books ;-)

[Malamute]

The Diehards website is probably your first port of call. They have loads of photos of reenactors in home service dress.

www.thediehards.co.uk

[Argonor]

Thanks.

Just now, I get the dreaded:

 Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage
   
But I'll try later
 

[Malamute]

I have a very good book at home that I used for reference. I will check out the title tonight for you, from Memory its called "The Thin Red Line" its a history of the British army, dating back to the 1700's. But it has some greatmaterial for 1870 - 1910, lots of colour plates of officers, nco's and rankers especially the home service uniforms.

[archangel1]

There are a couple of books that may be of use, if you can find them.  One is Weapons and Equipment of the Victorian Soldier by Donald Featherstone.  Lots of drawings and pictures but no colour, unfortunately.  The other two are a matched pair - Simkin's Soldiers - The British Army in 1890, Volumes 1 and 2 by Lieutenant Colonel P.S.Walton.  I only have the first volume on the Cavalry.  Some nice examples of Simkin's famous colour plates are included.  In fact, Richard Simkin is probably one of the best authorities of the period.  You can likely find several of his plates viewable online

[answer_is_42]

http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchresult.cfm?parent_id=749375&word=

Hope that helps. 

[Tommy20]

I'll second the recommendation for Simkin's Soldiers.  It's not only a great uniform reference, but a great all-around reference for the army of 1890.  The cavalry volume is not too hard to find, but the infantry one is a bit more difficult (and expensive).  In the meantime, you can find the prints here:

http://www.directart.co.uk/mall/artist.php?ArtistID=169

[Argonor]

A couple of interesting collections, there....

Some questions:

- What's the story with the white and black (blue?) helmets?
- Did all Fusilier regiments wear bearskins?
- Would you guys paint the white equipment on a grey, or a bone/sand base?

[Tommy20]

The home service helmet is a very dark blue, that might as well be black.  The white helmet was for foreign service (I believe it was used for home service briefly, by certain regiments).

As far as I know, all fusilier regiments wore the fusilier cap (note: different than the Guards' bearskin).

I prime grey for almost everything!

[twrchtrwyth]

I have a very good book at home that I used for reference. I will check out the title tonight for you, from Memory its called "The Thin Red Line" its a history of the British army, dating back to the 1700's. But it has some greatmaterial for 1870 - 1910, lots of colour plates of officers, nco's and rankers especially the home service uniforms.

Good memory. Good book, I have it to. Authors D S V and B K Fosten, publisher Windrow and Greene, London, ISBN 1-872004-00-8.

[Argonor]

The home service helmet is a very dark blue, that might as well be black.  The white helmet was for foreign service (I believe it was used for home service briefly, by certain regiments).

Was it then the pith helmet fitted with spike and plate? Was the home service helmet of a different material?

As far as I know, all fusilier regiments wore the fusilier cap (note: different than the Guards' bearskin).

OK, I just saw them on one of the plates in an above link - looked similar, there.... but I did not scrutinize. 

I prime grey for almost everything!

What I meant was: Would the equipment have an off-white tint, or should it be pure white (I'd shade with grey in the latter case)?

[Argonor]

While I'm at it:

Does anyone have a list of facing colours?

And were regiments also distinguished by botton colour (like in the nap. days, yellow/white metal)?

And if so, did button colour reflect in the helmet spike and plate?

And one last: Anyone knows WHICH regiments wore the white helmet for home service?

[answer_is_42]

The home service helmet is a very dark blue, that might as well be black.  The white helmet was for foreign service (I believe it was used for home service briefly, by certain regiments).

Was it then the pith helmet fitted with spike and plate? Was the home service helmet of a different material?

The British 'Home Service' helmet is a pith helmet fitted with spike and plate, and covered with blue cloth. The Foreign Service helmet was that but white instead of blue. I think the home service was smaller than the foreign, but don't quote me on that...

Does anyone have a list of facing colours?

After 1881 facings were changed to:
Blue - Royal regiments
White - English & Welsh
Yellow - Scottish
Green - Irish

But again, don't quote me on these.

And one last: Anyone knows WHICH regiments wore the white helmet for home service?

I didn't know any did.

Hope this helps, although I'm sure people will pick me up on many errors...

[Argonor]

Okies, thanks!