THE ARMIES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION: Uniforms and Equipment

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French Revolutionary army uniforms were diverse, strictly regulated, meticulously recorded, inspected, and visually documented before Napoleon. Describes these in great detail through the culmination of having examined thousands of documents from the Service Historique Armee du Terre in Paris to detail the uniforms worn before Napoleon's rise. Details how soldiers' clothing followed strict regulations, with each item assigned a specific lifespan. Regular inspections assessed uniform conditions, and unserviceable items were returned and replaced. Repairs were logged, and soldiers bore the costs of replacements. A regiment's clothing officer managed equipment purchases for enlisted men, while officers supplied their own uniforms. The regimental council ensured purchases met quality standards, recorded in a Register of Uniforms. Combines detailed records with illustrations and photographs of rare surviving items, giving readers a unique visual and historical perspective on soldiers' appearances during this transformative era. Contains 200+ color illustrations.