Quartermaster Uniform

Posts : 7 Join date : 2016-10-18

Hi all, first question from a new member. I am in the midst of painting a 28mm british army by BTD, and am stuck on decent info on the quatermaster uniform. A kindly soul on a wargaming forum advised:

"Quartermasters definitely no red stripe (on trousers) ! Should be a double white stripe, and white edging around the collar"

and all dark blue uniform. Would appreciate further comment and/or links to plates ?

Many thanks all

Posts : 1261 Join date : 2010-04-12

I always thought it was a single red stripe.

Subject: Re: Quartermaster Uniform Fri Oct 21, 2016 6:04 pm

London calling,

Are you looking for information on line infantry? If so the Quartermaster would be dressed as an officer but with black leather sword belt and slings. The rank insignia would reflect the honorary rank that they held.

I think that the other advice you have received erroneously relates to officers of the Commissariat & Transport Department. The Quartermaster of 17th Lancers would have worn a white collar and double white stripes, but there was no mistaking him as he also wore a Victoria Cross!

If you need any further advice please ask, in the meantime I will look at BTD's site and recommend an appropriate figure.

John Y.

Posts : 447 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon

John - does he mean commissioned Quartermaster or Quartermaster Sergeant?

Subject: Re: Quartermaster Uniform Sat Oct 22, 2016 1:19 am

Kenny,

I assumed Quartermaster.

John Y.

Posts : 7 Join date : 2016-10-18

Thank you for responses to date.

So the objective is I am building Zulu and British wargames armies in 28mm, and for those who may be familiar I am using Black Tree Design minis primarily (they do 8/9 QMs that I have). So I am pretty much limited to the sculpts and designs provided.

I am looking at infantry QMs, if the figures have ranks sculpted on them, then I can paint appropriately, but painting lacing freehand neatly at that scale is not easy if missing.

I do have Osprey books which have lots of holes hence the cry for help :)

Posts : 7 Join date : 2016-10-18

Ok all, I am really struggling here. I have the osprey books, and my web searches are letting me down.

So the BTD QM figures have sergeants chevrons, so my questions are
colours of...
chevrons - gold ?
waist belt - maybe off white on active duty ?
waist pouches - as above ?
cuff lacing
cuff facing colour - ie if these were for the 24th would these also be in green
collar - facings ? if yes, just a small tab or the whole collar ?
shoulder tabs - are these piped ?
hanger - brass or steel guard in steel or or black/brown scabbard ?

A lot of questions but am yet to find clear answesr on these.

Many thanks in advance

Subject: Re: Quartermaster Uniform Mon Nov 14, 2016 10:46 pm

Londoncalling,

If they have rank chevrons then they are depicting Quartermaster-Sergeants rather than Quartermasters.

QMS's would have worn four gold chevrons just above the trefoil knot on the right sleeve for line infantry. The rank was worn on both sleeves in the 13th LI, 21st RSF, 90th LI & 91st Highlanders. The same applied the 60th Rifles but the chevrons were red.

They would worn a Staff-Sergeant's sword from buff sword belt. The scabbard was steel.

In full-dress the trefoil would have been gold, I will check about those worn the frock.

On 1874 frock the facing colour on the collar was a small tab. The cuff would have also displayed the facing colour. There are photographs from campaign which show some cuffs are devoid of any facing colour.

Shoulder boards were edged with white piping.

John Y.

Posts : 1186 Join date : 2015-11-24

Not a QM.. but a plate from a pleasing book,
The Thin Red Line by the Fosten's. not a good
scan but show's detail.

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Subject: Re: Quartermaster Uniform Tue Nov 15, 2016 5:34 am

Les,

Thanks for that, londoncalling look at the top left figure of the Sergeant-Major, apart from the crown above his chevrons that is what your figure should look like.

That said there are a couple of errors in the illustration. The patrol jacket did not have bosses on the braiding - only Rifle Regiments had that. The Colour-Sergeant - centre left - is wearing the wrong rank insignia for the five-button frock. In that order of dress the insignia was abbreviated to a crown above three gold chevrons, with no crossed flags.

John Y.

Posts : 24 Join date : 2012-05-30 Location : United States

The book "Zulu: Isandlwana and Rork's Drift" by Ian Knight (the big silver book) has a good color plate of a quartermaster sergeant in the same uniform as the BTD figures.

https://www.amazon.com/Zulu-Isandlwana-Rorkes-22Nd-23rd-January/dp/1872004237

Posts : 1186 Join date : 2015-11-24

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Posts : 7 Join date : 2016-10-18

The last plate is like the BTD fmodels. Although the cap and trousers look black I am guessing they are in fact a dark blue ?

Posts : 7 Join date : 2016-10-18

Hi John Y, you mentioned "They would worn a Staff-Sergeant's sword from buff sword belt "

Would that be with a steel or brass sword hilt/guard ?

thank you.

Subject: Re: Quartermaster Uniform Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:24 pm

Londoncalling,

Trousers & glengarry were dark blue, with black trim and ribbons, the tourrie for the 24th and other non-Royal regiments was blue.

Brass sword guard, there are a couple of examples on-line for reference.

John Y.