Q.
Sirs,
I am seeking very detailed information on uniforms and organisation of the Sardinian Army of the 1740-1760 period. Can you help. please?
California. U.S.A. C. Gardali.
A.
As far as we have been able to ascertain there were six infantry regiments, plus a Guard Grenadier Regiment, about the year 1744.
These regiments were dressed in white coats with cuffs, waistcoats and breeches of regimental facing colour, except for the regiment ʹDella Marinaʹ which had red coats with green cuffs. The coat lining was white. Buttons yellow. Breeches and waistcoats were also green. In 1758 the whole of the infantry went into dark blue coats which were cut with a turn-over collar, lapels, wide cuffs and turnbacks. Cocked hats were bound with braid. White spatter-dashes were worn. The black leather cartridge box was edged with red. The Guard Grenadier Regiment carried a bayonet and sabre; line infantry carried the bayonet only. In 1775 the Guard Grenadier Regiment discarded the cocked hat and took a bearskin cap into wear.
The cavalry comprised three dragoon regiments and one heavy cavalry regiment. The coats of the dragoons were yellow, blue and green respectively with red cuffs, waistcoats and breeches. Buttons were white. The heavy cavalry regiment wore a blue coat with red cuffs, waistcoats and breeches. Both dragoons and heavy cavalry wore the cocked hat trimmed with braid, except for the mounted grenadiers of the dragoons regiments who, in keeping with other nationalities, wore a bearskin cap. In 1744 one of the dragoon regiments changed to a red coat with white collar, cuffs, lapels and turn-backs. White waistcoat and red breeches. Belts and slings for cavalry regiments were buff-coloured. High black cuffed riding boots.
The artillery were clothed in blue. Hats were trimmed with yellow braid. In 1758, collars, cuffs and lapels were black. Black gaiters were worn. All belts were of a yellow/buff leather. A waistbelt supporting a sabre and a black pouch at the front was worn over the waistcoat, but under the coat. The edge of the pouch was trimmed with red and the lid had a yellow metal badge in the centre.
Name Hat trim Facing and
turnbacksWaistcoat and
breechesButtons Guard Grenadier
Savoia
Piemonte
Aosta
Della Marina
La Regina
SardegnaWhite
White
While
Yellow
White
White
YellowRed
White
Red
Red
Pale yellow
Red
Light yellowRed
Dark blue
Red
Red
Dark blue
Dark blue
Light yellowWhite
Yellow
White
Yellow
Yellow
White
White
The Guard Grenadier Regiment had white lace trimming on the lapels and cuffs. The waistcoat was also trimmed with white braid. The regiment ʹSardegnaʹ had the buttonholes of the lapels and cuffs braided with white.