Grenadier 1751

The regiment was re-numbered 42nd in 1751 and a Royal Warrant was issued on 1 July of that year to lay down the uniforms of the British Army. This was backed up with paintings of grenadiers of each infantry regiment carried out by David Morier for the Duke of Cumberland. The grenadiers of the other regiments all have the tall embroidered cloth mitre caps except for the grenadier of the Black Watch who has a bearskin cap with a red and white front. This style of cap was adopted by the rest of the army in 1768. Not only the cap, but the style of the coat was radically different. The other regiments had long coats with turnbacks and wide lapels in the facing colour. The 42nd had a short coat with no lapels, no tails, smaller cuffs, and a turned down collar with an edging of two red lines. The lace also had two red stripes running through it. The sword belt is still black and remained so until the 1790s. There is no sign of the sword although his hand looks as if it is resting on the hilt. The waistbelt is black and worn over the red waistcoat. A black purse hangs at the front with a bayonet on one side and ammunition pouch on the other. The belted plaid is of the government tartan associated with the Black Watch. The stockings are of the harlequin diamond pattern held up by black garters and the shoes have a brass buckle.

Regimental Details | Uniforms