The following is a transcript of the British Royal Warrants of 1768, for the regiments of foot. For the most part, the dress of the 42nd conforms to this, but exceptions will be noted.

A more detailed study of the 42nd's uniforms can be found in ourblog post on the history and dress of pipers in the 18th century 42nd.

George R. Our will and pleasure is, that the following regulations for the colours, clothing, &c. of Our marching regiments of foot, be duly observed and put in execution, at such times as the particulars are or shall be furninshed.

No Colonel is to put his arms, crest, device, or livery, on any part of the appointments of the regiment under his command.

Colours

The King's, or first colour of every regiment, is to be the Great Union thoughout.

The second Colour to be the colour of the facing of the regiment, with the Union in the upper canton; excepting those regiments which are faced with red, white or black. The second colour of those regiments which are faced with red or white, is to be the red cross of St. George in a white field, and the Union in the upper canton. The second colour of those which are faced with black, is to be St. George's cross throughout; Union in the upper canton; the three other cantons, black.

In the center of each colour is to be painted, or embroidered, in gold Roman characters, the number of the rank of the regiment, within the wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk; except those regiments which are allowed to wear any royal devices, or ancient badges; on whose colours the rank of the regiment is to be painted, or embroidered, towards the upper corner. The size of the colours to be six feet six inches flying, and six feet deep on the pike. The length of the pike (spear and ferril included) to be nine feet ten inches. The cords and tassels of the whole to be crimson and gold mixed.

Camp Colours

The camp colours to be eighteen inches square, and of the colour of the facing of the regiment, with the number of the regiment upon them. The poles to be seven feet six inches long, except those of the Quarter and rear guards, which are to be nine feet.

Uniform of Officers

The number of each regiment to be on the buttons of the uniforms of the Officers and men. The coats to be lapeled to the waist with the colour of the facings of the regiment, and the colour not to be varied from what is particularly specified hereafter. They may be without embroidery or lace; but, if the Colonel thinks proper, either gold or silver embroidered or laced button-holes are permitted. To have cross pockets, and sleeves with round cuffs, and no slits. The lappels and cuffs to be of the same breadth as is ordered for the men.
[Until 1769 or so, the officers wore a crimson sash over the left shoulder. Journal of Royal United Service Institution, Vol. XLVI]

Epaulettes

The Officers of grenadiers to wear an epaulette on each shoulder. Those of the batallion to wear one on the right shoulder. They are to be either of embroidery or lace, with gold or silver fringe.

Waistcoats

The wasitcoats to be plain, without either embroidery or lace.

Swords and Sword-Knots

The swords of each regiment to be uniform, [Basket-hilt broadswords in the case of the Black Watch] and the sword-knots of the whole to be crimson and gold in stripes. The hilts of the swords to be either gilt or silver, according to the colour of the buttons on the uniforms.

Hats

The hats to be laced either with gold or silver, as hearafter specified, and to be cocked uniformly. [The Black Watch, on the whole, wore highland bonnets, descriptions of which appear below]
The highland bonnet was one of the least standard items of the Black Watch soldier's uniform. Most bonnets were simple dark blue wool, with a red ball and band around the edge, though as the bonnet evolved, diced bands replaced the red ones and the bonnet grew taller, rather than lying on the wearer's head, cocked up on the left. The diced tall bonnets were more popular with the officers, suggesting that this practice was due more to fashion conisderations than anything else. The 42nd still wore a good portion of the flat older style bonnets through the American Revolutiuon, though by this time there was a combination of the two in use. The men wore tufts of black bearskin in the bonnets, and the officers wore a black ostrich feather.

Sashes and Gorgets

The sashes to be of crimson silk, and worn around the waist. The King's arms to be engraved on the gorgets; alos the number of the regiment. They are to be either gilt or silver, according to the color of the buttons on the uniforms. The badges of those regiments which are entitled to any, are also to be engraved.

Caps, Fuzils, and Pouches, for Grenadier Officers

The Officers of the grenadiers to wear black bear-skin caps and to have fuzils, shoulder-belts, and pouches. The shoulder belts to be white or buff, according to the colour of their waistcoats. [The belts and other accoutrements of the Black Watch were black.]

Espontoons

The batallion Officers to have espontoons.

Gaiters

The whole to have black linen gaiters, with black buttons, and small stiff tops, black garters, and uniform buckles.

Serjeants' Coats

The coars of the Serjeants to be lapelled to the waist, with the colour of the facing of the regiment. The button-holes of the coat to be of white braid. Those on the waistcoat to be plain. The Serjeants of grenadiers to have fuzils, pouches, and caps. Those of the battalion to have halberts, and no pouches.

Serjeant's Sashes

The sashes to be of crimson worsted, with a stripe of the colour of the facing of the regiment, and worn around the waist. Those of the regiments which are faced with red, to have a stripe of white.

Corporals' Coats

The coats of the Corporals to have a silk epaulette on the right shoulder.

Grenadiers' Coats

The coats of the grenadiers to have the usual round of wings of red cloth on the point of the shoulder, with six loops of the same sort of lace as on the buttonholes, and a border round the bottom.

Private Men's Coats

The men's coats to be looped with worsted lace, but no border. The ground of the lace to be white, with coloured stripes. To have white butons. The breadth of the lace which is to make the loop round the button-hole, to be about half an inch. Four loops to be on the sleeves, and four on the pockets, with two on each side of the slit behind.
[The 42nd's lace was looped into the "bastion" shape, shown in the left column.]

Lappels, Sleeves, and Pockets

The breadth of all the lappels to be three inches, to reach down to the waist, and not to be wider at top than at the bottom. The sleeves of the coats to have a small round cuff, without any slit, and to be made so that they may be unbuttoned and let down. The whole to have cross pockets, but no flaps to those of the waistcoat. The cuffs of the sleeve which turns up, to be three inches and a half deep. The flap on the pocket of the coat to be sewed down, and the pocket to be cut in the lining of the coat.

Shoulder Belts and Waist Belts

The breadth of the shoulder-belts to bne two inches and three quarters; that of the waist-belt to be two inches, and those regiments which have buff waistcoats, are to have buff-colored accoutrements. Those which have white waistcoats, are to have white. [Again, the 42nd wore accoutrements of black.]

Drummers' and Fifers' Coats

The coats of the drummers and fifers of all the royal regiments are to be red, faced and lapelled with blue, and laced with royal lace. The waistcoats, breeches, and lining of the coats, to be of the same colour as that which is ordered for their respective regiments. The coats of the drummers and fifers of those regiments which are faced with red, are to be white, faced, lapelled, and lined with red; red waistcoats and breeeches. Those of all the other regiments are to be of the colour of the facing of the regiments; faced and lapelled with red. The wasitcoats, breeches, and lining of those which have buff or white coats, are to be red. Those of all the others are to be of the same colour as that which is ordered for the men. To be laced in such manner that the Colonel shall think fit. The lace to be the colour of that on the soldiers' coats. The coats to have no hanging sleeves behind.
[The royal musician's lace is shown in the left column, looped into the 42nd's "bastion" shape.]

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 royal regiments, and the six old corps, are to have the crest and grenade, and also the other particulars as hereafter specified. The badge of the royal regiments is to be white, and set on 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.

Hats of the Whole

The hats of the Serjeants to be laced with silver. Those of the Corporals and private ment to have a white tape binding. The breadth of the whole to be one inch and a quarter; and no more to be on the black part of the brim, than what is necessary to sew it down. To have black cockades. [See the above notice about the bonnets.]

Unique to the 42nd

The Black Watch, when it was first formed, was given the dark green and black tartan that bears its name. In 1746, a red over-stripe was added to the pattern. During the period of the American Revolution, there was some variation between the tartans. According to Osprey Military's 18th Century Highlanders, "..plaids were made from undifferentiated Government sett, while the same sett with the red overstripe was used for kilts."
In North America, the Black Watch frequently forsook the plaid for the 'little kilt' commonly seen today. due more to fashion conisderations than anything else, or took to wearing breeches in the wilderness, saving the kilt for special occasions.
Prior to 1769, the regiment wore red waistcoats. After the 1768 Warrant, white waistcoats were issued.
Sporrans were changed from badger-skin to goat-skin or buff leather in 1769.

psmith@42ndRHR.org

Contents

Colours

Camp Colours

Uniform of Officers

Epaulettes

Waistcoats

Swords and Sword-Knots

Hats

Sashes and Gorgets

Caps, Fuzils, and Pouches, for Grenadier Officers

Espontoons

Gaiters

Serjeants' Coats

Serjeant's Sashes

Corporals' Coats

Grenadiers' Coats

Private Men's Coats

Lappels, Sleeves, and Pockets

Shoulder Belts and Waist Belts

Drummers' and Fifers' Coats

Drummers' and Fifers' Caps

Grenadiers' Caps

Hats of the Whole

Caps for the Officers and Men of the Regiments of Fuzileers

Swords

Gaiters

Unique to the 42nd