Ironside Kit

The illustration shows a well equipped ironside with buffcoat, back and breastplates, bucket top boots, gauntlets, pot, carbine and sword, with the horse in regimental bridle and breastplate, Portuguese saddle with breeching, and carrying pistols.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffcoat

A Buffcoat was a thick coat made originally from buffalo hide and dyed yellow ochre. It replaced plate armour with the onset of firearms, being lighter and more flexible yet still capable of turning a sword-cut. Neither plate nor buff could stop a musket ball. The coat should be long enough to cover the wearer’s thighs when mounted, and has two-part sleeves to facilitate movement.

 

Back and Breastplates

Of good quality steel, well fitted to ensure comfort and adequate movement when riding. Breastplates were often made with ‘proof-marks’ i.e. dents showing that they were very good quality and had turned a pistol-ball. Frequently these marks were hammered in to inferior armour, though. All armour should have a black finish.

 

 

Lobster Pot Helmet

Again, of good quality steel and with a black finish, this should be well padded to ensure the head is protected in the event of a fall. A ‘spun’ pot may be used at first, but this should be replaced as soon as possible by a hammered one with a central seam for reasons of both authenticity and safety. The ‘tail’ should ideally be fixed rather than articulated.

 

 

Baldrick and Scabbard

Worn over the right shoulder. Together witht he carbine belt this forms the characteristic crossed belts of the ironside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carbine Belt

Worn over the left shoulder for carrying a carbine.

 

 

 

Bucket Top Boots

These were thigh length boots with squared toes. They were worn pulled up for riding and rolled down when on foot. Essential for protecting the legs from knocks and sword-cuts, they were also essental fashion items for gentlemen

 

 

Spurs and Butterflies

Spurs were never worn without butterflies and vice versa. The butterflies and spur leathers were used to keep the spurs in the correct position. It should be noted that authentic spurs like these are never used when mounted, instead small modern spurs are substituted to ensure that no horse is injured or hurt.

 

 

Breeches

Breeches were of heavy wool and dyed to the colour of the regiment: black in the case of Waller’s ironsides. Breeches can be lined or unlined, but lined is recommended for riding. The buttons, like all of the period, should be shanked rather than drilled.

 

 

Shirt

Shirts should be of unbleached linen with a falling band (collar). Unlike modern shirts they have no yoke and the neck is fastened by use of holes and tape.

 

 

Monmouth Hat

Often worn under the pot to give added padding, this is hand-knitted to a Seventeenth Century pattern. They were popular on their own as well as when being worn under pots.

 

 

Gauntlets

Used to protect the hand from injury and to ensure a good grip on reins and sword, they should be flexible enough to ride in and of a similar colour to a buffcoat.

 

 

 

Powder Flask

To an authentic but safe pattern, designed to discharge a stadard charge of powder, and to come apart easily in the event of the powder catching fire.

 

 

 

 

Hose

Hose were like modern day stockings but were made from cut cloth, linen or wool. They were frequently dyed and came in a wide range of colours.

 

 

 

Boot Hose

Boot Hose were worn over the hose in order to protect the hose from damage by boots. The wealthy normally decorated them with lace, but those of the lower classes would be plain.