"Uniforms of the US infantry in 1879-1881???"

[Fjodin]

Can someone tell me what uniforms were in United States in 1the 1879-1881 period??? I want to make What If scenario where Zulu War era british invade US and need uniform advice?

[Ray Rivers]

The US changed it's uniform in 1872 from the one commonly used during the ACW.

The biggest change was the introduction of a blue cloth-covered chaco, piped white with a white fir-cone-shaped pompon.  Officers had drooping plumes.  The uniform was also changed to include white collar patches, white shoulder straps, white cuff patches and white piping down the front of the coat (officers had double breasted coats).  Belts were black.

Very obscure and short period for US uniforms.

In 1881, the spike helmet was introduced....

[former user]

what an interesting idea
maybe this could be of help:

http://www.history.army.mil/html/museums/uniforms/survey_uwa.pdf

very large pdf

I once had a similar idea of british and french intervention in the ACW, but with a Turtledove twist that the ACW was to have a second phase 1870-1880, in order to allow more use of available miniatures

[Fjodin]

Thanx for helping. ANd EGA thanx for PDF. Very, VERY useful!

[Ray Rivers]

Very, VERY useful!

Yes, indeed.  In more ways than one!

[Burnt65]

Thanks for that link!

[answer_is_42]

Hats!
http://www.nyc-techwriters.com/militaria/american_helmets1.htm

[Ray Rivers]

Hats!
http://www.nyc-techwriters.com/militaria/american_helmets1.htm

I think my next US unit needs white helmets with spikes.  Soooo cool.