Untitled Document

The Cap, Hat.

References for Infantry Drummers Headwear.
Bearskins worn during the Peninsular and Napoleonic wars.
Researched and compiled by Barry R Turnbull-Burchmore , 2006-7
The Royal Clothing Warrant, 1768

‘’Drummers' and Fifers' Caps.
The drummers and fifers to have black bear-skin caps. On the front, the King's crest, of silver plated metal, on a black ground, with trophies of colours and drums. The number of the regiment on the back part; as also the badge, if entitled to any, as ordered for the grenadiers.
Grenadiers' Caps.
The caps of the grenadiers to be of black bear-skin. On the front, the King's crest, of silver plated metal, on a black ground, with the motto, "Nec aspera terrent." A grenade
on the back part, with the number of the regiment,on it.’’

The following is an article from the Journal for the Society of Army Historical Research outlining the changes in the 1802 Clothing Regulations. It was contributed by W.Y Carman.

(D.—[“No alteration,” C.] The Caps of the Grenadiers to be of Black Bear Skin.
On the Front, the King’s Crest67 in brass on a Black Ground with the Motto “Nec aspera
terrent.” A Grenade on the Back part, with the number of the Regiment on it. The Royal
Regiments and the six old Corps are to have the Crest and Grenade, and also the other
particulars specified hereafter. The Badges of the Regts. are to be White and set near the
Top of the Back part of the Cap. The Height of the Cap (without the Bear Skin which
reaches beyond the Top) to be Twelve Inches.) Z.

(Para 58.) A. Drummers and Fifers Caps. Z.
B. [Same as D before alteration.]
(D.—[“No alteration,” C.] The Drummers and Fifers to have Black Bear Skin
Caps, on the Front the King’s Crest of68 brass on a Black Ground, with Trophies of
Colours and Drums. The number of the Regiment on the back part as also the Badge if
entitled to any as ordered for the Grenadiers.)69

British Infantry Uniforms since 1660
Barthorp Michael, Blandford press, Dorset England, 1982.
(p60 Ref plate 12, Battalion Drummer, 66th (Berkshire) Regiment, 1811).

‘’Drummers still wore reversed coats and Bearskin caps, similar to grenadiers caps, though, on service, shakos with the universal cap plate were more usual.’’

‘’Bandsmen wore coats of facing colour… until1812, but the lacing had been standardized and more nearly resembled that on a privates coat, the numerous chevrons on the sleeves being worn or not, as the commanding officer decided. They wore wing epaulettes, and their full dress head gear was the grenadier cap.
A short sword, with a blade about 24 inches long,was their special weapon.
The fife case was carried on the right hip, attached to the cross belt.’’
Major Barnes , R.M. A History of the Regiments & Uniforms of the British Army (p 122) Seeley Service & Co Limited, London 1957.
Simkin’s Richard, Uniforms of the British Army, The Infantry Regiments.
W.Y.Carman, Webb and Bower Limited, Devon England, 1985. (p 184)

‘’A new cap or the shako was now being worn and in 1802 the clothing regulations from 1768 onwards were revised and brought up to date.’’ – ‘’For full dress the caps of drummers and fifers were black bearskin with a black front plate bearing the king’s crest and trophies of colours and drums, plus the number of the regiment and any badge, if so entitled, on the back.’’

Barthorp Michael, British Infantry Uniforms Since 1660, (p 52)
Blandford Press Dorset. 1982.

‘’Bearskin caps were ordered for Drummers in the warrant…….’’
Barthorp Michael, British Infantry Uniforms Since 1660, (p 61)
Blandford Press Dorset. 1982

‘’Drummers retained bearskin caps with the Kings crest in brass on a black metal plate with appropriate trophies, but often wore their respective companies shakos on service.’’

Haythornthwaite Philip J. British Infantry of the Napoleonic Wars
DAG Publications LTD, The Bath Press, Avon England, 1996.
(p 46, Ref Image on p 47, Drummer 66th foot, pre-1812)

‘The drummer and fifer wear ‘reversed colours’ with white lace, and fur caps with brass plate and white cords’’.

BRITISH Uniforms The Drum History Drill Calls & Signals Resources Links HEAD WEAR SWORDS DRUM GEAR	The Cap, Hat. References for Infantry Drummers Headwear. Bearskins worn during the Peninsular and Napoleonic wars. Researched and compiled by Barry R Turnbull-Burchmore , 2006-7 The Royal Clothing Warrant, 1768 ‘’Drummers' and Fifers' Caps. The drummers and fifers to have black bear-skin caps. On the front, the King's crest, of silver plated metal, on a black ground, with trophies of colours and drums. The number of the regiment on the back part; as also the badge, if entitled to any, as ordered for the grenadiers. Grenadiers' Caps. The caps of the grenadiers to be of black bear-skin. On the front, the King's crest, of silver plated metal, on a black ground, with the motto, "Nec aspera terrent." A grenade on the back part, with the number of the regiment,on it.’’ The following is an article from the Journal for the Society of Army Historical Research outlining the changes in the 1802 Clothing Regulations. It was contributed by W.Y Carman. (D.—[“No alteration,” C.] The Caps of the Grenadiers to be of Black Bear Skin. On the Front, the King’s Crest67 in brass on a Black Ground with the Motto “Nec aspera terrent.” A Grenade on the Back part, with the number of the Regiment on it. The Royal Regiments and the six old Corps are to have the Crest and Grenade, and also the other particulars specified hereafter. The Badges of the Regts. are to be White and set near the Top of the Back part of the Cap. The Height of the Cap (without the Bear Skin which reaches beyond the Top) to be Twelve Inches.) Z. (Para 58.) A. Drummers and Fifers Caps. Z. B. [Same as D before alteration.] (D.—[“No alteration,” C.] The Drummers and Fifers to have Black Bear Skin Caps, on the Front the King’s Crest of68 brass on a Black Ground, with Trophies of Colours and Drums. The number of the Regiment on the back part as also the Badge if entitled to any as ordered for the Grenadiers.)69 British Infantry Uniforms since 1660 Barthorp Michael, Blandford press, Dorset England, 1982. (p60 Ref plate 12, Battalion Drummer, 66th (Berkshire) Regiment, 1811). ‘’Drummers still wore reversed coats and Bearskin caps, similar to grenadiers caps, though, on service, shakos with the universal cap plate were more usual.’’ ‘’Bandsmen wore coats of facing colour… until1812, but the lacing had been standardized and more nearly resembled that on a privates coat, the numerous chevrons on the sleeves being worn or not, as the commanding officer decided. They wore wing epaulettes, and their full dress head gear was the grenadier cap. A short sword, with a blade about 24 inches long,was their special weapon. The fife case was carried on the right hip, attached to the cross belt.’’ Major Barnes , R.M. A History of the Regiments & Uniforms of the British Army (p 122) Seeley Service & Co Limited, London 1957. Simkin’s Richard, Uniforms of the British Army, The Infantry Regiments. W.Y.Carman, Webb and Bower Limited, Devon England, 1985. (p 184) ‘’A new cap or the shako was now being worn and in 1802 the clothing regulations from 1768 onwards were revised and brought up to date.’’ – ‘’For full dress the caps of drummers and fifers were black bearskin with a black front plate bearing the king’s crest and trophies of colours and drums, plus the number of the regiment and any badge, if so entitled, on the back.’’ Barthorp Michael, British Infantry Uniforms Since 1660, (p 52) Blandford Press Dorset. 1982. ‘’Bearskin caps were ordered for Drummers in the warrant…….’’ Barthorp Michael, British Infantry Uniforms Since 1660, (p 61) Blandford Press Dorset. 1982 ‘’Drummers retained bearskin caps with the Kings crest in brass on a black metal plate with appropriate trophies, but often wore their respective companies shakos on service.’’ Haythornthwaite Philip J. British Infantry of the Napoleonic Wars DAG Publications LTD, The Bath Press, Avon England, 1996. (p 46, Ref Image on p 47, Drummer 66th foot, pre-1812) ‘The drummer and fifer wear ‘reversed colours’ with white lace, and fur caps with brass plate and white cords’’.	FRENCH Uniforms The Drum History Drill Calls & Signals Resources Links
	Marine Museum, Portsmith.
	1802 Clothing Regulations. - Para 58.) A. Drummers and Fifers Caps. Z. B. [Same as D before alteration.] (D.—[“No alteration,” C.] \The Drummers and Fifers to have Black Bear Skin Caps, on the Front the King’s Crest of68 brass on a Black Ground, with Trophies of Colours and Drums. The number of the Regiment on the back part as also the Badge if entitled to any as ordered for the Grenadiers.)69 Z/
	First Plate pre 1800
	Second Plate 1800 - 1812
	British military cap badge excavated at Fort George 1790-1800 independence.nyhistory.org
	Shako Plates
	Cut down Shako Plate for Drummers
	Inside Views, Suspension & Construction. The two cane framed bearskins below we believe to be late 1800s and more the 1900s, previously it is believed the bearskin had a leather inner that help define and keep its shape.

Drummers

Of The

Pennisular & Napoleonic Wars