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British naval uniforms of 1730's

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Apr 7, 2018
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I am presently building a 1/24 scale cross section of HMS Granado. I want to put one figure on the model to give people an idea of it's size compared to a person. I have been trying to find a figure of a British Naval officer to put on the model from 1730s or 1740s. I would even settle for just a crew member.
I did find and purchase a 1/24 British naval officer of the 1790s. And may use that as aside from any rivet counters nobody will know the difference but I would prefer a Naval officer or crew member from the correct period.
 
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I just did a quick search and was surpirsed how information came up. There was no official standardize uniform for the British Royal Navy officers until 1748 so the world is your oyster.
The below is an example of the so called "standard" from 1748 to 1767
1778607216166.png
Portrait of Captain Alexander Hood from 1763
1778607431322.png


1774-1787 https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-71226 You may find the description they give to be quite interesting on how the uniform buttoms on the lapels signified rank.
1778607624656.png
 
Last edited:
I just did a quick search and was surpirsed how information came up. There was no official standardize uniform for the British Royal Navy officers until 1748 so the world is your oyster.
The below is an example of the so called "standard" from 1748 to 1767
View attachment 602407
Portrait of Captain Alexander Hood from 1763
View attachment 602408


1774-1787 https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-71226 You may find the description they give to be quite interesting on how the uniform buttoms on the lapels signified rank.
View attachment 602409
Just wondering, but do you have any pictures of Emglish naval uniforms from the 1630's?
 
Just wondering, but do you have any pictures of Emglish naval uniforms from the 1630's?
From what I could find, there were no specific uniforms. Officers and sailors wore functional civilian clothing of their own choice. Seems like whatever they were wearing ashore would work. I can picture officers in the first three pics and the woodsman and farmer clothes for sailors in the second two pics.
Allan
1778625525286.png1778625542370.png1778625573864.png
1778625644611.png1778625675787.png
 
I am reading a biography of George Anson. Reading it is like hacking thru a jungle using the top edge of a machete. When Anson was working his way to the top job - Admiralty or Navy board - not sure which - there was a difference and there was a hostile relationship between the two. But anyway, he was advocating official uniforms for officers - and men too I believe. As well as rules of behavior and competence. It was the 1740's or 1750's or both. These ideas met with serious resistance.
 
Photo below is a figure painted by me that accompanies my 1:32 scale scratch built rigged RN longboat. The figure is not made from scratch. It is a 54mm “Colonial Gentleman” metal casting from I/R miniatures. I painted it. 54mm equates to 1:32 scale common for military miniatures.

RogerIMG_0446.jpeg
 
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I just did a quick search and was surpirsed how information came up. There was no official standardize uniform for the British Royal Navy officers until 1748 so the world is your oyster.
The below is an example of the so called "standard" from 1748 to 1767
View attachment 602407
Portrait of Captain Alexander Hood from 1763
View attachment 602408


1774-1787 https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-71226 You may find the description they give to be quite interesting on how the uniform buttoms on the lapels signified rank.
View attachment 602409
Thanks thos helps
 
The basic officer coat colours until the introduction of the blue uniforms were mostly gray and brown. Look for early 18th century portraits of various admirals -

1778876203996.png 1778876248623.png 1778876643381.png

Buttons, lace, waistcoat and decorations totally varied.

1778876412974.png
The captain here is seated on the right, with the pipe.

There are exceptions, but they are rare.

1702 portrait of Cloudesley Shovell shows a blue coat:

1778876526968.png

Early variations of the blue style also could include red facings and waistcoats.

1778876752209.png

So... Basically, you can dress them in whatever you want :)
 
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