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Post by aylwen on Oct 10, 2010 7:28:29 GMT -5
Can you recommend good looking British naval uniforms for 14-16 yr old boys, the sons of a gentleman dancing master? Many thanks, Aylwen
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Post by lastbloom on Oct 10, 2010 12:01:48 GMT -5
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Post by Goblin, esq. on Oct 13, 2010 22:41:22 GMT -5
If the boys are sons of a gentleman, they'd be midshipmen (officers-in-training, or cadets). One had to be at least 18 years of age to take the examination for lieutenant (although with enough influence this did occasionally happen earlier). Throughout most of this period (the midshipmen's uniform was not changed by the regulations of 1795 or 1812; I don't know if it was by the regulations of 1825), midshipmen wear a single-breasted blue coat, with three buttons on each cuff, and a white patch on each side of the collar (this is still worn by midshipmen today). White smallclothes and a round hat (much like a top hat) were usually worn, although they might dress a lot fancier (if unofficially), as seen in this quote from 1815: "We were considered a crack ship and the midshipmen dressed in cocked hats, tight white pantaloons and Hessian boots with gilt twist edging and a bullion tassel." You (and/or the boys) might want to watch Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World for impressions of the midshipmen's uniforms. And here is a portrait in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, which shows the collar patches: www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/displayRepro.cfm?reproID=BHC2994#contentAnother portrait: www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/displayRepro.cfm?reproID=BHC2647&picture=1#content
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Post by aylwen on Oct 14, 2010 4:52:55 GMT -5
Was there anything on the back collar? Or just trimmed as shown in the pictures?
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Post by Goblin, esq. on Oct 14, 2010 12:43:15 GMT -5
Was there anything on the back collar? Or just trimmed as shown in the pictures? No, the back is plain blue. The white patches are cloth rectangles, one on each side, and don't go much further back than the button. Ascii art of left side of collar: _____________________ / _________ / | | / | -----O | / |_________| /
The dashes represent a (non-functional) buttonhole.
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Post by lastbloom on Oct 14, 2010 14:04:23 GMT -5
Wow -- that is a really impressive "drawing"! And it gets the idea across very clearly I was wondering if you could suggest a good starting pattern for the coat?
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Post by aylwen on Oct 14, 2010 15:17:47 GMT -5
I've got adult patterns but think Iight have to drape. My sons are very skinny and long.
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Post by Goblin, esq. on Oct 14, 2010 17:32:21 GMT -5
I don't know of any appropriate patterns. I've yet to find an adult pattern that I can recommend wholeheartedly (but I admit that I haven't been looking very intensely recently). You would have to scale an adult pattern down to fit, probably modify the front to make it single-breasted, and change the collar to a stand collar.
I'll have to wait another ten years or so before my son is ready for a uniform. :-)
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Post by aylwen on Oct 14, 2010 23:06:35 GMT -5
I've got books if drawn patterns from regency tailors that I use - plus bribe the boys that they can use my computer for same amount of time they have to stand still while I drape!
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Post by Post_Captain_Joe on Jun 30, 2011 19:28:26 GMT -5
Hopefully you were successfully able to find a suitable method for the young gentleman's uniform.
If you are still in search, I would highly reccomend Norah Waugh's Cut of Men's Clothes, diagram XXIII (23) on page 75.
Your Obd't Servant, Joseph Harney Captain Sir Thomas Cappel HMS Phoebe
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