How To Get Kited Out As 15th Hussar
The Uniform Of A 15th Hussar!
The following is a list of kit worn by members of the 15th Hussars modern day re-enactment unit (and where to find it!). Purchase of kit is expensive and usually is expected to take several years depending on how extensive you want to be. Although everybody loves the elaborate dolman, the basic stable kit is the best place to start as allows you to come along to events without commiting your finances too extensivley before your sure we're the right Regiment for you.
Stable Kit |
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| Watering cap | Wool cap in blue with red band | £15 - £20 |
| Shirt | Shirts are very long in the body so that the don't ride up and expose flesh to the weather | £25 - £40 |
| Neck Stock | Black cotton stock. Excellent for neck support while riding | £5 - £10 |
| Overalls | Black leather seated for the men and brown for officers | £120 - £150 |
| Braces | Don't be tempted by the more historically accurate canvas ones, you'll pop all your buttons off the minute we mount up. Go for grey elastic army ones | £5 |
| Stable Jacket | Used as "off duty" wear and at training | £70 - £85 |
| Waist Coat | Blue if worn. During the regency shirts were considered underwear | £35 - £45 |
| George Boots and Spurs | George Boots are available on Ebay as they are still used today at army mess functions | £35 on ebay |
| Gloves | White leather riding gloves | £5 - £20 |
| Sword Knot | White buff leather | £20 - £30 |
| Sword Belt | White buff leather with S clip | £70 - £80 |
| Sabretache | Black leather. 2 belt attachments for the men and 3 for Officers | £60 - £90 |
Full Dress Campaign Kit |
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| Fur Cap | Depending on period being portrayed | £90 - £150 |
| Shako | 1812 pattern depending on period being portrayed | £90 - £140 |
| Plume | 6" white over red feathers | £8 - £25 |
| Shirt | Shirts are very long in the body so that the don't ride up and expose flesh to the weather | |
| Neck Stock | Black cotton stock. Excellent for neck support while riding | |
| Overalls | Black leather seated for the men and brown for officers | |
| Braces | Grey elastic army type | |
| George Boots and Spurs | George Boots are available on Ebay as they are still used today at army mess functions | |
| Dolman | Tight fitting braided jacket needs to be a snug fit to ensure the buttons stay done up | £295 - £350 |
| Pelisse | Fur collered and cuffed jacket worn slung across the shoulder for parades. In winter worn over the stable jacket | £350 - £380 |
| Barral Sash | Worn over dolman | £120 - £160 |
| Cloak | Worn over dolman | £150 - £170 |
| Sword Belt and Sabretache | White leather belt and black sabretache for the men, black or red for officers | £60 - £80 |
| Cartouche and Carbine Sling | White sling and black cartridge box | £120 - £130 |
| Bread Bag | White canvas bag used to store your rations. Be sure to get one with an adjustable shoulder strap | £15 - £25 |
| Water Bottle | 4 pint blue wooden bottle. Make sure the leather strap is very adjustable as this can flap around terribly when cantering | £45 - £80 |
Evening Mess Wear |
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| Shirt | Shirts are very long in the body so that the don't ride up and expose flesh to the weather | |
| Neck Stock | White "mess" stock may be worn | £10 - £20 |
| White Ducks | White cotton or moleskin breeches | £60 - £70 |
| Braces | Grey elastic army type | |
| Waist Coat | Normally blue but a white one may be worn with special permission | |
| Barral Sash | Worn over dolman or waist coat if worn | |
| Pelisse | Slug over shoulder | |
| Hesse Boots | In the absence of hussar hesse boots long riding boots may be worn | |
| Spurs | Army swan neck type | |
Light Cavalry Side Arms
The basic requirement is a sabre, you can purchase the others if you wish
Side Arms |
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| Sabre | 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre | £120 - £210 |
| Pistols | New land pattern flintlock or the older Elliot pattern flintlock pistol | £150 - £250 |
| Carbine | Two types are commonly available today and either will be suitable. The 1796 Pattern Heavy Dragoon Carbine or The Elliot Light Dragoon Carbine | £275 - £380 |
Kit for the horse
Listed below is most of the kit for the horse. As with the uniform this can be purchased over time. Check out an image of all the horse kit here.
Horse Furniture |
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| Bridle | Strong light cavalry bridle in dark brown including leather head collar, double reins and lead rope | £150 - £250 |
| Bit | Military 5.5 inch reversible straight bar with curb chain. If you can source one a military "S" curb bit with bridoon | £10 - £40 |
| Saddle | 1908 Army UP Saddle or 1803 Hussars Saddle if you can source one | £250 - £350 |
| Saddle Blankets | 2 or 3 army blankets | £10 - £20 |
| Sheep Skin | Sheep skin saddle cover. Used to improve rider comfort and as a pillow in bivouac | £60 - £80 |
| Girth | Keep 3 or 4 of various sizes to fit as many horses as possible | £10 - £30 |
| Y strap sircingle | Used to keep the saddle from moving while on the march and securing blankets at night on the lines. Brown leather. | £60 - £90 |
| Stirrups | Period light cavalry oval type | £30 - £50 |
| Stirrup leathers | Brown leather | £15 - £40 |
| Breastplate | Brown leather light cavalry type | £40 - £60 |
| Cloak | Attached to the front the saddle with brown leather luggage straps | £150 - £170 |
| Valaise | Blue wool luggage roll attached with leather straps to the back of the saddle. Has the regimental identification "XVLD" on either end | £50 - £90 | Shabraque | Blue wool with red edging for full dress duties (extra) | £180 - £300 |
| Pistol holsters | Made from dark brown leather and attached under the cloak (extra) | £180 - £225 |
| Carbine boot | Made from dark brown leather and attached on the right of the saddle (extra) | £40 - £50 |
| Spare horse shoe case | Made from dark brown leather and attached on the left rear of the saddle (extra) | £20 - £40 |
| Grooming Kit | Any non-modern brushes and a foot pick | £20 |
| Hay net | Wool string net if possible or black one from tack shop | £5 |
| Canvas Bucket | White canvas water bucket | £10 |
Camp Equipment
Keep the living history accurate with a few comfort tips!
Camp Equipment |
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| Army cote/bed | Wooden framed canvas army bed. Can be found on Ebay | £20 - £60 |
| Army blankets | Plain gray ex-army blankets | £10 - £30 |
| Sleeping bag | To be hidden from view at all times | £20 - £40 |
| Blue troopers box | Wooden blue box with name, troop and regimental identification. Used to store personal belongings | £12 - £30 |
| Canvas army kit bag | Used to store kit during transportation - much better than modern luggage containers | £5 - £8 |
| Mess tin | D pattern cavalry mess tin. A wooden or tin plate will suffice in the short term | £8 - £12 |
| Tin cup | Used for all drinks including the rum ration! | £5 - £12 |
| Knife fork and spoon | Any plain and old looking will do | £10 - £20 |
| Candles | Any plain looking ones | £1.50 |
Where to get your kit - 15th Recommended
The Captains Mistress - Sara Elms and Geoff Potts
Suppliers of a whole range of Regency wear and leather work (other soldiers kit also available). Well made, historically accurate and hand stitched from the very best grades of fabric - well worth the wait!
Contacts details: www.thecaptainsmistress.com
Fichu - Historical Clothing and Uniforms
Supplier of mens and women's clothing and uniforms 1600-1900. Specialist in Napoleonic era uniforms. Clients include, Shakespeare's Globe, BBC, 15th Hussars, Xeme Escadron, 95th Rifles 2nd Battalion, KGL, University Arts et Metiers, History Horse, Guard Artillery and many others. As a member of the regiment, Natalie knows just how to get your 15th Hussars uniform fitted perfectly, historically accurate and at a good price.
Contacts details: garbett79@btconnect.com
The Horse Master - John Maddocks
Supplies all cavalry kit from horse furniture to Dragoons leather work. Well made kit and delivers very very quickly.
Contacts details: thehorsemaster@hotmail.com
The Cavalry Workshop - John Norris
Horse furniture, leather work and all uniform items supplied. Fast turn around and delivery. John is not a part of the 15th so charges a normal commercial fee for his excellent work.
Contacts details: www.cavalryworkshop.com
Stitch in Time
Also does mess tins, box spurs, hesse boots, shakos, personal leather equipment (cartouches and the like) , plumes, cap lines, rollers and other stuff.
Contacts details: www.napoleonic-uniforms.co.uk
Born 2 Late
Cartouches, sabretaches, bridles, reins, and breastplates.
Contacts details: www.born2late.co.uk/Napoleonic-Equipment.html
Suppliers Of Side Arms
The Sutlers Stores
Supplies a reasonable sword for the money.
Contacts details: www.sutlers.co.uk
Military Heritage
Supplies most black powder muskets and swords. Canadian company so our pounds go along way at the moment.
Contacts details: www.militaryheritage.com
Albion Small Arms
Supplies most black powder muskets and swords. Canadian company so our pounds go along way at the moment.
Contacts details: www.albionsmallarms.co.uk
