THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
THE CONTINENTAL ARMY

When the shooting started between the American colonists and the British, the Americans had no effective army. The Continental Army was formed by Congress in June 1775, and George Washington was named its commander in Chief. This was no easy task, but by the end of the war the Continentals were as good as their opponents. It was a long road of suffering and hardship, fighting against long odds, but no American army since has gained as much as the hard bitten Continentals of Trenton, Valley Forge, Guildford Courthouse and Yorktown.

UNIFORM REGULATIONS OF 1779

It took the Continental Army a number of years before it could issue precise, detailed regulations on uniforms and equipment. These regulations defined  what the troops were supposed to wear, although variations persisted. One of the indicators that the Continental Army was growing into a professional fighting force was the issue of uniform regulations for the entire army in 1779. Washington and his subordinates wanted a smartly uniformed army that would appear to be both competent and professional. The 1779 regulations were simple and practical, and ensured that the army was to be elegantly uniformed in accordance with the best European traditions.

NEW ENGLAND REGIMENTS

The regulations for regiments from new England provided for dark blue coats, faced and lined with white.

MID ATLANTIC REGIMENTS

The regulations for New York and New Jersey Regiments provided for dark blue coats, faced and lined with Buff.

Regiments from other areas, such as Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware were authorized to wear dark blue coats with red facings, and a white lining.

The Maryland Continental line was uniformed in dark blue jackets, faced with red, with white turnbacks. There is evidence that some units may have been uniformed in brown coats faced with red.

Campaiging in North America was hard on uniforms, and also the supply of the correct uniform took longer to reach active units than planned. Most regiments tried to keep their old uniforms if they were still serviceable, used hunting shirts, or improvised. The first priority was not uniformity, but being clothed practically and warmly.

Scale: 1/30
Material: Pewter alloy and synthetic fibers
Released Date: December 2026