Page 175 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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Ramrod

Dyed feather
◀ FELT HAT The flamboyant headgear of the
Date c.1775 riflemen reflected their prewar life RIFLEMEN OF THE
spent in tracking and hunting animals.
Origin US
Many riflemen decorated their hats
Material Felt with animal tails instead of feathers. Wooden
stopper

▶ POWDER HORN
Date c.1775
Origin US
Material Horn
Upturned Riflemen carried their AMERICAN REV
brim gunpowder in a horn. They
measured out the main charge,
which was poured down the
muzzle, as well as the primer,
which was tipped into the pan.

▶ CANTEEN OLUTION
Pewter buttons Date c.1775
Origin US
Material Wood
A rifleman’s wooden canteen
was constructed like a barrel
with side staves. It had to be
refilled whenever possible
or the wood would shrink,
resulting in leakage.

Side staves

◀ BREECHES Riflemen wore woolen breeches
Date c.1775 with leggings made of hide or a
simple blanket material. They were
Origin US fastened with pewter buttons at the
Material Wool waist, pockets, front flap, and knee.

◀ MOCCASINS Frontiersmen followed the example
Date c.1775 of Native Americans in making
lightweight moccasins out of deerhide,
Origin US
although the styles they favored
Material Deerhide showed elements of European taste.