Having collected almost all of the volumes of the Seven Years War Association Journal I have read several articles pondering the true color of French uniforms during this period. Let me make it clear that I am not criticizing nor mocking any of the authors. I am as interested in the answer as anyone, but I am assuming that, like myself, most of the interest is based on the desire of individuals to ensure that their miniatures are painted as accurately as possible.

Unfortunately, I believe that the color of the French coats can only be pursued to the fact that they were made of undyed, unbleached wool. The color will range from off-white, with gray or beige tint, to a very light gray. Books frequently refer to this color as gray-white, grayish white or pearl gray. As a recent author remarked, if you want to find that color, go look at a sheep. (However, keep in mind that its thick coat will make the wool appear darker.) If you are not near a farm or a petting zoo, scan the stores and catalogs for 100% wool sweaters that have not been bleached or dyed.

Assuming that we can pusue the illusive gray-white to no more satisfying conclusion, what about French Blue?

It should be remembered that dyes in the 18th Century were natural dyes using plant, animal and mineral compounds, and were not colorfast. Even with modern dyes individuals buying yarn have to be careful to choose skeins from the same dye lot to ensure that the color will be consistent. These yarns are produced under standardized conditions and processes with premixed "formula " dyes. Imagine the variations when the process is performed in huge vats subject to innumerable variables of time, temperature, humidity, differences in the quality and strength of the dye components, how well the fabric took the dye, and so on.

One might expect that all troops in a battalion would have the same color coats and / or facings when uniforms were first issued or when replacement uniforms were provided since it would be probable that they would come from the same source. However, even then there is no guarantee that all of the fabric used would be from the same dye lot. As time passed a unit would begin to show a wide range of variations in color based on fading due to wear, weathering and washing. With all this in mind let's pursue the color of the blue used for the facings of the regular French battalions of the Troupes de Terre and of the Troupes de la Marine in North America.

Many books illustrating French uniforms of the Seven Years War show the same dark blue commonly used as the coat color by Napoleonic French infantry. This is a dark blue, but it is not quite as dark as the navy blue currently used in fashion and used in most modern naval uniforms. Uniforms of the Seven Years War 1756 - 1763 [Editor: the Mollo book] shows this blue for the veste and breeches in Plates 126 and 145, and for the facings in Plates 143, 146-148 and 150. Military Uniforms in Canada 1665-1970 shows this blue for the marine on page 13. Most of the illustrations in Canadian Military Heritage, Volume 1: 1000-1754 show dark blue for the Troupes de la Marine.

A large number of books show more of a medium blue for the Troupes de la Marine. This color ranges from a very basic blue to a brighter shade that used to be called "Royal Blue" in department store catalogs. Funckens' Lace Wars, Part 1 does not have an illustration of the Troupes de la Marine. The blue of the facings shown for most of the other French regiments are basically medium blue, with the exception of La Sarre. Among other sources showing this color are the illustrations of the Troupes de la Marine and the Cannoniers-Bombardiers on pages 23 and 25 of Military Uniforms in Canada 1665-1970 ; and most of the many illustrations in L'histoire extraordinaire des Soldats de la Nouvelle France.

It is important to note that even the best illustrations in books cannot always be depended upon for exact colors. Many books that provide paint schemes for modern aircraft, tanks and ships will add a disclaimer that the colors may change during the printing process. As an example of this problem, the illustration of the marine on page 42 of L'histoire extraordinaire des Soldats de la Nouvelle France is a copy of the marine on page 13 of Military Uniforms in Canada 1665-1970. While the original is in dark blue, the copy is in medium blue. Re-enactors' Colors

In the last two years I have seen a number of military re-enactment groups portraying the troops of the Troupes de la Marine at Fort Niagara, Fort Ticondaroga and Fort Ligonier. I also observed the highly-polished companies performing in the Old City of Quebec and on the Ile de Ste. Helen in Montreal. The color blue used in these uniforms varies widely, but tends more toward azure than dark blue or medium blue. Azure is defined as "the blue color of a clear sky," but even this is deceptive because of daily and seasonal lighting and temperature differences. Azure is generally represented as a blue-gray in which the blue component is lighter than medium blue.

Very few illustrations show azure blue but the illustration in Military Uniforms in Canada 1665 - 1970 of the special Canadian uniform issue for the Beam regiment in 1755 shows a blue that is close to azure. The uniforms of the military re-enactors are a great study because one is literally looking at a uniform that has experienced marching, musket drill, black powder, gun oil, rain, sweat , the smoke of cooking fires and living in a tent. Some uniforms are faded, discolored and worn, while others are still relatively new. The shades of blue differ markedly because of all of the factors mentioned above.

The unit of Troupes de la Marine at Quebec was composed of Canadian naval cadets. The cloth of their uniforms appeared to be a modern fabric, possibly a blend. It was much thinner and more finely woven than wool, and there was little or no variation in color. The blue was medium blue. Unfortunately, for those of you still curious about the white of the coats, the coats were dyed a very definite light gray. However, I would not take that as proof of anything. I am sure that the color was just as much a convenience as the use of a modern fabric.

I was fortunate to be picked as the member from the (small) audience at Fort Chambly to model the complete Troupe de la Marine uniform. This was an incredible thrill since I got to put on every piece of the uniform and equipment. The breeeches and veste were medium blue, the socks seemed more azure, and the cuffs on the coat seemed a darker blue. Depending on whether I was indooors or out, the shades of the items lightened or deepened. So what shade were they really? The coat was definitely the color of undyed, unbleached wool. So with all of this analysis, how did I do? I am sure that I picked the wrong blue for my miniatures, but I am pretty sure everyone else has too.

Editor's Note: as an associate member of Les Troupes de Levis a Ste. Foy and occaisional performer in the unit's drills, I can vouch for the fact that the re-enactors spend a significant amount of time researching uniform colors and proper equipment. When in doubt, ask a re-enactor. I happen to portray a soldier in the Regiment Beam, which wore red cuffs and a red sleeved vest, so I can not enter into the discussion of the color blue. There are a preponderance of Royal Roussillon and Marines in our group, and my recollection is that they seem to sport blue-green cuffs. The colors in the Mollo book tend to be too dark while readers should be aware that the Funcken books include a fair amount of errors. So check multiple sources before you make a decision.

I am also reminded of the time when I bought a Prussian uniform for Infantry Regiment No. 8 from an outfitter on the East Coast. This company had a reputation for accuracy, so I ordered the uniform without asking for fabric samples. I was flabbergasted when I received a light cornflower blue coat instead of the dark Prussian Blue that I was expecting. Morale of the story, ask for fabric samples before you fork over money to a manufacturer of re-enactment uniforms.

Finally, I would like to take a moment to make a plug for the only re-enactment group that portrays French Regulars in the SYW/French and Indian War. That group would be, of course, Les Troupes des Levis a Ste. Foy which was founded by our own Bill Protz.