The following tailors estimate for the clothing of the Roscommon Militia can be found in the Public Records Office, Kew. The details contained in the quote should be of help to those interested in the construction of uniforms, whether students of military fashion or re-enactors making their own uniforms. Carrick on Suir, 28th April 1795 Sir, I received your favor of 26th and agreeable to your directions, I herewith inclose you patterns of Serjeants and Private cloth together with an estimate of the prices of the cloathing by the suit, as we never sell cloth to the army by the yard, but always by the suit you cannot be an adequate judge of the goodness of the cloth by these small patterns without seeing a part of a piece, and then comparing it with the cloth furnished by other clothiers, on such a comparison, I have got the cloathing of the 103 Regt. now in Clonmell. Should the enclosed Terms meet your approbation I could immediately supply you with most part of your cloathing, and the remaining part shortly after requesting favor of an answer I have the honor to be very repectfully your obedt. Humble servt. Jas Moore We never make up clothing but send the materials. To be allowed by a clothier out of the following charges for Taylor work viz: Serjt. and Drummers suit each 2/6d Private suit..........................................each 1/3d Estimate for cloathing the Roscommon Regt. Exclusive of lace - By John and James Moore. Serjt. Majors Coat, Vest and Breeches...............................£4.0s.0d. Grenadier and Battalion Serjts Coat, Vest and Breeches........................£3.1s.9 1/2d. Drummers Coat, Vest and Breeches...............................£2.2s.2d. Private Coat, Vest and Breeches ..... £1.10s.0d. If vest backs are to be furnished the Regt, to be charged in addition to the above 13d each. Carriage to quarters free. Carrick on Suir 28th April 1795 John and Jas. Moore Quantity of Cloth allowed for each suit: Serjts. Suit. Serjts. Coat .................... 1 3/4 yard scarlet cloth Serjts. Vest and Breeches ................1 1/8 yard fine white cloth Serjts. Coat and Vest lining .............4 yard fine white Shalloon Serjts. Breeches lining............1 1/2 yard Linnen 1/4 yard facing cloth, 3 Dozen 6 large plated buttons and 2 Dozen small. Privates Suit 1 1/2 yard Red cloth...............Coat 1 1/8 yard White cloth ........ Vest and Breeches 1 yard White Baize .... Coat body linnen (lining ?) 1 yard milled serge................Skirt lining 2 1/2 yard Grey Linnen 1/8 yard facing cloth Drummers Suit 1 1/2 yard cloth...................Coat 1 1/8 yard white cloth ....... Vest and Breeches 3 yard milled serge................suit lining 1 1/2 yard Grey Linnen 1/8 yard facing cloth 3 Dozen 6 large and 2 Dozen small private buttons and private suits. Notes Original Taylors estimate, P.R.O.Kew, WO 79/44 Shalloon, OED . . . A closely woven woollen material chiefly used for linings. Baize, OED . . . A coarse woollen stuff, having a long nap, now used chiefly for linings, coverings, curtains, etc. In warmer countries for articles of clothing eg. shirts, petticoats, ponchos, it was formerly, when made of finer and lighter texture used as a clothing material in Britain also. Serge, OED . . . A very durable twilled cloth of worsted, or with the warp of worsted, and the woof of wool extensively used for clothing and for other purposes. Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #39 Back to First Empire List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1998 by First Empire. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com