Uniform Regulations, 1852
Regulations for the Uniform and Dress of the Navy and Marine Corps of the United States.
GENERAL ORDER
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The following described uniform having been approved, will be strictly conformed to by all Officers of the Navy, and all Commanding Officers will rigidly enforce an observance of it, and notice all irregularities therein.
The Regulation uniform will go into effect, within the United States, on the fourth day of July, 1852, and on foreign stations, as soon after its receipt as practicable.
Commanders of Squadrons and of single vessels, will, prior to leaving the United States, cause a general Full Dress Muster, in order to ascertain if every officer has provided himself with the prescribed uniform and appointments, making a report of such muster and of any deficiencies to the Navy Department.
A refusal or neglect to comply with the Uniform Regulation will render the offender liable to trial by court martial.
On all occasions of ceremony abroad, or in the United States, when a Commanding Officer may deem it necessary to order the attendance of the officers under his command, he shall be careful in such order, to prescribe whether the full or undress uniform is to be worn.
Uniform is to be worn by all officers who may be attached to any vessel of the Navy, Navy Yard, Station, Recruiting Service, Hospital or other Naval Service for duty, unless absent from the station on leave.
Officers are required strictly to conform to the uniform prescribedwearing either the full dress, undress, or service dress, viz:
Full Dress--Full dress coat, epaulettes, sword and knot, cocked hat and laced pantaloons.
Undress--Frock coat, epaulettes, sword and knot, cocked hat, and laced pantaloons.
Service Dress--Same as undress, except that the prescribed cap shall be worn instead of the cocked hat, pantaloons without lace or cord; epaulettes and swords, or either, may be worn or dispensed with.
Full dress and undress coats are always to be worn fully buttoned.
Officers are to wear their uniform, either full dress or undress, whenever they make official visits to the President of the United States, or to the Secretary of the Navy, or to foreign ships of war or cities. They are to wear their undress uniform, when acting as Members of Courts Martial, or Courts of Inquiry, or of Special Boards, or when attending on such Courts or Boards, as witnesses, or in any other capacity, unless the officer ordering the same, shall specially order the Full Dress to be worn. Officers constituting or appearing before Boards of Examination, shall also wear their undress uniform, and whenever it shall be directed by their Commanding Officer. At other times the Service Dress may be worn.
The hair of all persons belonging to the Navy, when in actual service, is to be kept short. No part of the beard is to be worn long, and the whiskers shall not descend more then two inches below the tip of the ear,except at sea, in high latitudes, when the Regulation may, for the time, be dispensed with by order of the Commander of a Squadron, or of a vessel acting under separate orders. Mustaches and imperials are not to be worn by officers or men on any pretence whatever.
Officers on furlough, are required not to wear their uniform, except on special public occasions of ceremony.
Officers are strictly prohibited wearing any part of their uniform, whilst suspended from duty, by sentence of a court martial.
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
March 8th, 1852. WILL. A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy.
REGULATION.
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UNIFORM AND DRESS OF THE NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES.
FULL DRESS. [SEA OFFICERS.]
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Coat.
For a Captain--shall be of Navy blue cloth, double breasted, lined and faced with white silk serge; two rows of large Navy buttons on the breast, nine in each row, placed four inches and a half apart from eye to eye at top, and two inches an a half at bottom. Stand up collar, to hook in front at bottom, and to slope thence upwards and backwards at an angle of twenty-five degrees on each side, and to rise no higher than will permit a free movement of the chin over it; to have a strip of Navy gold lace, one inch and a half wide around the top and down the front, with a strip of gold lace one-half of an inch wide around the bottom, as per pattern. The cuffs to be two inches and a half deep, with one strip of gold lace three-quarters of an inch wide below the seam, but joining it, and two strips of lace of the same width on the sleeves, above the cuffs, separated by a space of half an inch from each other, and a like strip of lace from the lower button to the end of the cuff, on the upper side of the o
pening, and four small size Navy buttons in the opening.
The waist of the coat to descend to the top of the hip bone; the skirts to begin about one-fifth of the circumference from the front edge and descend four-fifths from the hip bone towards the knee, and to be lined with white silk serge, with one button behind on each hip and one near the bottom of the skirt in each fold. The pocket flaps to be pointed and laced all around with three- quarter inch lace, lined with white serge to show the edge of the lining, and to have four large Navy buttons underneath, showing one half of their diameter. Coat always to be worn fully buttoned.
For a Commander--the same in all respects as for a Captain, except that it shall have lace one inch and a quarter wide around the top and down the front of the collarone strip of gold lace three quarters of an inch wide on the upper edge of the cuff, touching the seam, and one of the same width on the sleeve above the cuff, the two separated by a space of one-half of an inch, and a like strip from the lower button to the end of the cuff. The pocket flaps to be without lace, with but three large buttons underneath them, and but three small buttons in the opening of the cuff.
For a Lieutenant--the same in all respects as for a Commander, except that it shall have lace one inch wide around the top and down the front of the collar, and but one strip of lace three-quarters of an inch wide around the upper edge of the cuff, touching the seam.
For a Master--the same in all respects as for a Lieutenant, except that instead of lace, it shall have around the cuffs three medium size Navy buttons and three small ones in the opening.
For a Passed Midshipman--the same in all respects as for a Master, except that there shall be no lace around the bottom of the collar, and no buttons around the cuffs.
For a Midshipman--the same in all respects as for a Passed Midshipman, except that the collar, instead of lace, shall have embroidered on each side in gold thread, a foul anchor three inches long and two inches from bill to bill.
For a Boatswain, Gunner, Carpenter and Sailmaker--shall be of Navy blue cloth, lined with the same; rolling collar, double breasted, two rows of large Navy buttons on the breast, eight in each row; pointed pocket flaps, with three large buttons underneath each, showing one half their diameter; three medium size buttons around each cuff and two small ones in each opening; one button behind on each hip, one in the middle of each fold and one in each fold near the bottom of the skirt. On each side of the collar to have one loop of three-quarters wide gold lace to shew one inch and a half wide, and four inches long, with a small size Navy button in the point of each loop.
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FULL DRESS--[CIVIL OFFICERS.]
Coat.
For a Surgeon--the same in all respects as for a Commander, except that instead of the lace on the collar, it shall have embroidered on each side, in gold thread, three sprigs of live oak, as per pattern: and instead of the lace on the cuff, three embroidered sprigs of live oak, smaller than those on the collar, according to pattern.
For a Passed Assistant and Assistant Surgeon--the same in all respects as for a Surgeon, except that the cuffs of a Passed Assistant Surgeon shall have three medium size Navy buttons on the upper edge, and those of an Assistant Surgeon shall be plain, with three small buttons in the opening.
For a Purser--the same in all respects as for a Surgeon, except that the collar shall be embeoidered in gold thread, with a wreath of live oak on the upper edge and front, and the cuffs be embroidered around their upper edges with a wreath of the same three-quarters of an inch wide, as per pattern.
For a Chaplain--the same in all respects as for a Surgeon, except that it shall be single breasted, with one row of nine large Navy buttons in front, and the collar and cuffs of black velvet, without embroidery.
In performing Divine Service, the Chaplain may, at his discretion, wear the black gown, or the uniform prescribed in the Regulations.
For a Professor and Commodore's Secretary--shall be of Navy blue cloth, rolling collar, single breasted, with one row of eight large Navy buttons in front, three under plain pocket flaps, one on each hip behind and one in each fold of the skirt near the bottom, with three small size Navy buttons in the opening of the cuff. Coat to be lined on the skirts, but not faced, with white silk serge.
For a Clerk--shall be of Navy blue cloth, rolling collar, single breasted, with one row of seven large Navy buttons in front, one behind on each hip, two in each fold of the skirt near the middle, and one in each fold near the bottom of the skirt, and three small buttons in the opening of the cuffs. Coat to be lined with black silk serge.
For a Chief Engineer--the same in all respects as for a Surgeon, except that it shall be single breasted, with one row of nine large Navy buttons in front, and the collar shall have on each side an embroidered device, two inches high and three inches longthe anchor in silver and the wreath in gold, as per pattern. The cuffs to have three large size Navy buttons around the upper edge with three small ones in the opening. Skirts to be lined with black silk serge.
For a First Assistant Engineer--the same in all respects as for a Chief Engineer, except that the cuffs shall have three medium size Navy buttons around the upper edge.
For a Second Assistant Engineer--the same in all respects as for a First Assistant, except that the cuffs shall have no buttons on their upper edges.
For a Third Assistant Engineer--The same in all respects as for a Second Assistant.
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Pantaloons.
For all Officers--Shall be of Navy blue cloth, or white drill, made loose, to spread well over the foot, and to be worn over the boots or shoes. Blue pantaloons will have a stripe of Navy gold lace down the outer seam, one inch and a half wide for Captains; one inch and a quarter wide for Commanders; and one inch wide for Lieutenants; gold cord three-eighths of an inch in diameter, will be worn on the outer seam of blue pantaloons by Masters, and one-fourth of an inch in diameter by Passed Midshipmen.
Within the tropics, white drill pantaloons will be worn at all seasons.
North of the tropics, blue cloth pantaloons will be worn from the first of October to the fifteenth of May, and the white from the fifteenth of May to the first of October.
South of the tropics, blue will be worn from the fifteenth of May to the first of October, and the white from the first of October to the fifteenth of May, unless otherwise directed by written order of the Commander-in-chief of a Squadron or of a vessel acting singly.
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Vest.
For all Officers--If worn, to be white, single breasted, standing collar, with nine small Navy buttons in front, and not to show below the coat.
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Cocked Hat.
Captains, Commanders, Lieutenants, Pursers, Surgeons, Passed Assistant and Assistant Surgeons, Masters, Passed Midshipmen, Midshipmen, Secretaries, Chief Engineers and First Assistant Engineers, when in full dress or in undress, will wear black cocked hats of the following description, viz: Not more than eight nor less than six inches and a half high on the back (or fan,) nor more than eight nor less than five inches in front (or cock,) and not more than nineteen nor less than seventeen inches long, from point to point, the curve to be one inch and one-tenth at the back; the hat to be bound with black silk lace, to show one inch and a quarter on each side; in the fold at each end of the hat a tassel, formed of five gold and five blue bullions, and on the cock, a black silk cockade five inches wide. Captains and Commanders to wear over the cockade, a loop of six gold bullions half an inch in diameter, the two inner bullions to be twisted together, with a small Navy button in the lower end of the loo
p.
All other Officers entitled to wear cocked hats, will wear over the cockade a loop formed of four gold bullions three-eighths of an inch in diameter, not twisted, with a small button in the lower end of the loop.
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Epaulettes.
Captains, Commanders, Lieutenants, Pursers, Surgeons, Passed Assistant and Assistant Surgeons, Masters in the line of promotion and Chief Engineers, will wear two gold epaulettes of the dimensions, bullion and finish shown in the patterns, and with the following devices in silver, on the frog, viz: for Captains, an eagle and anchor two inches and five-eighths long, with a silver embroidered star above, one inch and one-eighth in diameter. The senior Captain in the Navy and the Commander-in-chief of a Squadron will have on the strap an additional star, one inch in diameterthe centres of the stars to be separated one inch and a half.
Commanders will have two crossed foul anchors, two inches long from crown to ring.
Lieutenantsone foul anchor, two inches long.
Masters' epaulettes will be plain and of the same pattern as Lieutenants.
Surgeons, Passed Assistant and Assistant Surgeons' epaulettes will have solid smooth crescents with the letters M.D. in old English characters embroidered in silver, in the middle of the frog. The senior Surgeon of the Navy and the "Surgeon of the Fleet," will have a silver embroidered rosette on the strap above the letters. The senior and other Pursers, the same as senior and other Surgeons, with the letter P.D. in old English characters, embroidered in silver in the middle of the frog.
Chief Engineers--the same as Masters, except that the strap shall be of silver lace, with the letter E. three-quarters of an inch long, in old English character embroidered in gold on the frog, and the crescents to be smooth and solid.
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Sword and Scabbard.
For all Officers--shall be cut and thrust blade, not less than twenty-six nor more than twenty-nine inches long, half basket hilt, grip white: Scabbards of black leather. Mountings of gilt; and all as per pattern.
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Sword Belt.
For all Officers--shall be of plain black glazed leather, not less than one inch and a half, nor more than two inches wide, with slings of the same not less than one-half nor more than three- quarters of an inch wide, and a hook in the forward ring to suspend the sword. Belt-plate of yellow gilt in front, two inches in diameter, as per pattern.
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Sword Knot.
For a Captain and Commander--shall be blue and gold cord, 24 inches long, including the tassel; gold and blue slide; tassel of twelve gold bullions one inch and three-quarters long, enclosing five blue bullions, with basket-worked head.
For all other Commissioned OfficersA strap of gold lace, half an inch wide, and eighteen inches long, including the tassel; gold slide; tassel of twelve gold bullions, one inch and three- quarters long, with basket-worked headall as per pattern.
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Cravat and Stock.
For all Officers--shall be of black silk, without any tie in front: a white shirt collar to show above it.
UNDRESS. [SEA OFFICERS.]
Coat.
For a Captain--shall be a frock-coat of Navy blue cloth, faced with the same, and lined with black silk serge; double breasted, with two rows of large Navy buttons on the breast, nine in each row, placed four inches and a half apart from eye to eye at top, and two inches and a half at bottom.
Rolling collar, skirts to be full, commencing at the sop of the hip-bone and descending four- fifths thence toward the knee, with one button behind on each hip, and one near the bottom of each fold. Cuffs the same as for full dress.
For a Commander--the same in all respects as for a Captain, except that the cuffs shall have but two strips of gold lace around them, half an inch apart, one above and the other below the seam, but joining it, and three small buttons in the opening.
For a Lieutenant--the same in all respects as for a Commander, except that the cuffs shall have but one strip of gold lace around the upper edge.
For a Master--the same as for a Lieutenant, except that the cuffs shall have, instead of lace, three medium size Navy buttons around the upper edge.
For a Passed Midshipman--the same as for a Master, excepting the buttons around the cuffs.
For a Midshipman--the same as for a Passed Midshipman, except that medium buttons shall be substituted for the large buttons.
UNDRESS [CIVIL OFFICERS.]
For a Surgeon, Passed Assistant and Assistant Surgeon--shall be a frock-coat of Navy blue cloth, faced with the same, double-breasted, rolling collar, two rows of large Navy buttons on the breast, nine in each row; proportion for body and skirts, the same as for a Captain; skirts lined with black silk serge; one button behind on each hip and one near the bottom of each fold of the skirt. Cuffs plain, with three large size Navy buttons around the upper edge, and three small ones in the opening.
For a Purser--the same as prescribed for a Surgeon.
For a Chaplain--the same as for a Surgeon, except that it shall be single breasted, with one row of nine large Navy buttons on the breast, the cuffs plain, with three small buttons in the opening only.
For a Professor and a Commodore's Secretary--the same as for a Chaplain, except that thre shall be but eight buttons on the breast.
For a Clerk--the same as for a Secretary, except that there shall be but six buttons on the breast.
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Engineers.
For a Chief Engineer--the same as for a Surgeon, except that it shall be single breasted, with one row of nine large Navy buttons on the breast, three large size buttons around the upper edge of the cuff and three small ones in the opening.
For a First Assistant Engineer--the same as for a Chief Engineer, except that the cuffs shall have three medium size buttons around the upper edge.
For a Second and Third Assistant Engineer--the same as for a First Assistant, except the buttons around the upper edge of the cuff.
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Vests.
For all Officers--the same pattern as for full dress, and to be white or of blue cloth, according to the season for blue or white pantaloons.
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Pantaloons.
For all Officers--the same as for full dress.
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Cocked Hats.
The same as for full dress.
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Shoulder Straps.
Every officer entitled to epaulettes, shall wear above the shoulder seam of the undress-coat, shoulder straps, made according to pattern, as follows: For a Captain, of blue cloth, four inches long and one inch and three-eighths wide, bordered with an embroidery of gold, one- quarter of an inch in width, with the same device as prescribed for the frog of the epaulette, (except the star) embroidered on silver on the center of the strap. The senior Captain in the Navy, and the Commander-in-chief of a squadron, will wear in addition, a silver star, seven- tenths of an inch in diameter, on each end of the strap. For a Commander--the same as for a Captain, except that the device shall be the same as that directed for the epaulettes. For a Lieutenant--the same as for a Commander, except that, the device shall be the same as that directed for the epaulettes.
For a Master--the same as for a Lieutenant, without any device. For a Passed Midshipmana gold lace strap, one-half of an inch wide and four inches long. For a Surgeonthe same as for a Lieutenant, except that they shall be one inch wide. Those of more than twelve years standing, to have the letters M.D. in old English characters, embroidered in silver in the centre, and on each end, a gold acornand, those of less than twelve years, the same without the acorn.
For a Passed Assistant Surgeon--the same as for a Surgeon, except that the straps shall be three-quarters of an inch wide, with an embroidered gold bar on each end. For an Assistant Surgeon--the same as for a Passed Assistant Surgeon without the bars.
For a Purser--of more than twelve years, the same as for a Surgeon, except that, they will have the letters P.D. in old English characters, embroidered in silver in the centre, with a single oak leaf in gold, at each end.
For a Purser--of less than twelve years, the same, without the leaf.
For a Chief Engineer--the same as for a Master, except that, in the centre of them, there shall be embroidered in silver, the letter E. in old English character.
Shoulder straps to be always worn as distinctive marks, when the epaulettes are not worn.
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Buttons.
Shall be of three sizes; large, medium, and small, and all of the same device, as per pattern.
SERVICE DRESS.
The "Service Dress" of all officers shall be the same as the undress, except the lace or cord on the seams of the Pantaloonswith caps instead of cocked hats, and with or without swords, and with or without epaulettes, for all officers entitled to wear them.
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Caps.
Cap of blue cloth, to be not less than three inches and a half nor more than four inches in height, and not more than ten, nor less than nine inches and a half in diameter on the top, with patent leather visor, to be worn by all officers in service dress.
For a Captain--the same device as on the epaulette, without the star, in silver embroidery surrounded by a gold embroidered wreath of oak leaf, as per pattern, on the front of the cap, above a band of gold lace, one inch and a half wide.
For a Commander--the same as for a Captain, except that the device shall be two crossed foul anchors in silver, similarly disposed and embroidered, above a band of gold lace, one inch and a quarter wide.
For a Lieutenant, Master, Passed and other Midshipmen--one silver foul anchor, similarly disposed and embroidered, above a band of gold lace one inch wide.
For a Boatswain, Gunner, Carpenter and Sailmaker--a gold embroidered anchor, in front, without the wreath.
For a Surgeon, Passed and Assistant Surgeon and Purser--a gold embroidered wreath of oak leaf, as per pattern, enclosing the letters M.D. and P.D. in old English characters in silver, respectively.
For a Professor, Secretary and Clerk--the same wreath without any device.
For all Engineers--an embroidered device and wreath, as per pattern; the wheel embroidered in gold and the anchor in silver, similary placed above a band of gold lace one inch wide.
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Summer Frock Coat.
In summer or in tropical climates, officers may wear frock coats of dark blue summer-cloth, of the style herein prescribed, with medium size Navy buttons.
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Jackets.
May be worn as "Service Dress" by all officers when at sea, except when at general muster, at quarters, or in charge of the Deck. To be of Navy blue cloth, or white drill, lined with the same, double breasted, rolling collar, same number of small size buttons on breast, as for full dress-coat; open fly-sleeve, with four small buttons in the opening. With shoulder straps for the appropriate gradesbut without epaulettes.
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Straw Hats.
In summer or in tropical climates, officers may also wear, on ship board, under similar circumstances, white straw hatsthe body of the hat to be six inches in height, and the rim three and a half inches in width.
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Over-Coats.
For all officers--shall be of dark blue Pilot Cloth, double breasted, rolling collar, skirt to descend three inches below the knee. The same number of Navy buttons and similarly arranged as for undress-coatno buttons to be worn on the cuffs or pocket flaps.
Officers entitled to shoulder straps, will wear the same on their over-coats, as directed for undress coats.
Blue cloth cloaks may be used in boats, or when epaulettes are worn, if it be rendered necessary, by cold or wet weather.
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Dress for petty officers and crew.
Boatswain's Mates, Gunner's Mates, Carpenter's Mates, Sailmaker's Mates, Ship's Steward, and Ship's Cook, will wear, embroidered in white silk, on the right sleeve of their blue jackets, above the elbow in front, an eagle and anchor, of not more than three inches in length, with a star of one inch in diameter, one inch above. The same device embroidered in blue, to be worn on the sleeves of their white frocks in summer.
All other petty officers, except officers stewards, and yeomen, will wear the same device on their left sleeves.
The outside clothing for Petty Officers, Firemen and Coal-heavers, Seamen, Ordinary Seamen, Landsmen and Boys, for muster, shall consist of blue cloth jackets and trousers, or blue woolen frocks, with white duck cuffs and collars; black hats; black silk neckerchiefs, and shoes, or boots in cold weatherin warm weather, it shall consist of white frocks and trousers; black or white hats, as the commander may for the occasion direct, having proper regard for the comfort of the crew; black silk neckerchiefs, and shoes; the collars and cuffs to be lined with blue cotton cloth and stitched round with thread. Thick blue cloth caps, without visors, may be worn by the crew at sea, except on holydays or at muster.
Approved:
Navy Department,
March 8th, 1852. WILL A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy.
Dress of the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers,
Musicians and Privates of the Marine Corps of the United States.
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
MAY 29, 1839.
SIR:
The change of uniform for the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the Marine Corps, as proposed in your letter of the 22d ult., has been approved by the President of the United State, to take effect from the 4th day of July, 1840.
I am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.K. PAULDING
Col. A. Henderson,
Commandant U.S. Marine Corps, Head Quarters.
HEAD QUARTERS OF THE MARINE CORPS,
ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR'S OFFICE.
Washington, July 1, 1839.
Orders:
Under orders from the Navy Department, dated 29th May, 1839, (a copy of which is hereto annexed,) the President of the United States has approved of the following described uniform as the full and undress, to be worn by all officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates of the Marine Corps, from and after the 4th of July, 1840; and it is hereby enjoined on the officers of the corps strictly to adhere to it.
Officers joining the corps, as well as other commissioned Officers, who may wish to adopt the new uniform before the 4th of July, 1840, are permitted to do so.
By order of
ARCH. HENDERSON,
Colonel Commandant Marine Corps.
P.G. HOWLE,
Adjutant and Inspector.
UNIFORM
Of the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, Musicians,
and Privates of the U.S. Marine Corps.
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OFFICERS.
Coat.
For Field Officers, Captains and StaffNavy blue cloth, double-breasted; two rows of buttons, two and a half inches apart from the inner edge of the buttons, from top to bottom, ten in each row; standing collar, to be edged round with scarlet, to meet in front with hooks and eyes, and rise no higher than to permit the free turning of the chin over it; two loops four and a half inches long, on each side of the collar, with small uniform buttons at each end of the loops; plain round cuff, three inches deep; slashed flap on the sleeve, six and a half inches long, and two and one-fourth inches wide at the points, and one and nine-tenths of an inch at the narrowest part of the curve; loops and small buttons on the slashed flap on the sleeve, four for Field Officers, and three for Captains and Staff, to be placed at equal distances; slashed flap on the skirt, with four loops and large buttons; the slashed flaps on the sleeves and skirt to be edged with scarlet on the ends and indented edge; two large butt
ons at the waist; skirt to extend to the bend of the knee; turnbacks and linings, scarlet cloth or kerseymere; gold embroidered shell and flame at the bottom of the skirt; loops on the collar and flaps to be of gold lace half an inch wide, and the entire loop not to exceed one and a quarter inches in breadth; the breast of the coat to be lined with scarlet twilled shaloon.
The coat for Lieutenants to be the same as prescribed for Field Officers, excepting that there shall be but two loops and buttons on the slashed flap on the sleeve, and the skirt to extend to within three and a half inches of the bend of the knee.
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Hat.
Subalterns--black beaver cap, plume, red cock-feathers, such as is worn by Artillery Officers of the army of the United States; pattern to be furnished by the Quartermaster.
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Epaulettes.
For Field Officers--gold, bright bullion, half an inch in diameter, three and a half inches long; plain strap, crescent solid.
For Captains and Staff--same, except that the bullion be smaller, and but two and a half inches long.
Lieutenants same as Captains, with smaller bullion. All Officers to wear one epaulette on each shoulder.
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Buttons.
Gilt, convex, with eagle, anchor, and stars, raised border.
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Trousers.
From the 15th October to the 30th April, dark blue cloth, with a scarlet stripe down the outer seams one and three-fourths inches wide: when in undress, similar pants without the stripe.
From the 1st May to the 14th October, white linen drilling without the stripe.
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Sword.
Brass scabbard sword, with a marmaluke hilt of white ivory; extreme length of sword three feet one and a half inch, curve of blade half an inch only, to serve as cut or thrust; the hilt (which is included in the extreme length) of the sword, four inches and three-quarters; width of scabbard, one inch and seven-eighths; width of blade, one inch.
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Sword Knot.
Crimson and gold, with bullion tassel.
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Sword Belt.
White leather, two inches wide, with sliding frog, to be worn round the waist, over the coat, and clasped in front; clasp, according to a pattern to be furnished by the Quartermaster's Department.
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Sash.
Crimson silk net, with bullion fringe ends, to go twice round the waist, and tie on the left hip; the pendant part to be one foot from the tie.
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Stock.
Black bombasin.
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Gloves.
White.
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Boots.
Half boots, to be worn under the trousers.
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Spurs.
For Field Officers and Staff--yellow metal or gilt.
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Staff.
Officers of the Staff will be distinguished by gold aiguillettes, worn on the right shoulder under the epaulette.
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Frock Coat.
For Field Officers, Staff, and Captains of the line, Navy blue cloth, two rows of large buttons, ten in each row, three inches apart from the inner edge of the buttons, from top to bottom, rolling collar, to button close up at the throat, two small marine buttons at the fastening of the cuffs, three large buttons in the folds behind, equally distant from the waist to the bottom of the flaps. Skirts to be lined with black silk.
The same for the Subaltern Officers of the corps, with this exception: theirs to be single- breasted, one row of buttons, with a stand-up collar.
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Fatigue Cap.
Blue cloth visor, round, patent black leather; chin straps of the same leather, three-quarters of an inch wide, buttoned on a small marine button at each side of the cap, over the ears.
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Shell Jacket.
Navy blue cloth or kerseymere, to be lined with white shaloon; stand-up collar, to be laced roiund the edges with gold lace of the same width as that worn on the dress coat, three yellow gilt hooks and eyes on the collar, one row of small marine buttons, sixteen in number, on the left breast, yellow gilt hooks and eyes from the throat down, hooks on the right breast, cuffs coming to a point towards the shoulder, bound with gold lace of the same width as is worn on the full dress coat, three yellow gilt hooks and eyes at the fastening of the cuff. During the summer, shell jackets of white linen, linings of the same, hooks and eyes, no buttons; no lace to be worn.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, MUSICIANS, AND PRIVATES.
Coat.
For Sergeant Major and Quartermaster Sergeant--the same as that established for Field Officers, excepting that Prussia binding will be substituted for gold lace; the epaulettes to be of the same pattern as those for Lieutenants, excepting that fringe of gold will be substituted for bullion; and the skirt of the coat to extend within three and a half inches of the bend of the knee; aiguillettes, on the left shoulder, of yellow silk, with gilt tags. Sash, crimson silk net, with plain fringe.
For drum Major and Fife Major--same as Sergeant Major, except that it shall be of red cloth with white linings, collar, and turnbacks.
Sergeants--to be navy blue cloth, single-breasted, with one row of nine buttons; the skirt to extend within eight inches of the bend of the knee; to conform to the pattern of the Officers' coats in other respects, excepting that the cuff shall have three buttons and loops on the slash sleeve, line that designated for a Captain, the lace to be of yellow worsted. Yellow worsted epaulettes will be worn with worsted fringe, in imitation of bullion. Orderly sergeants to wear red worsted sash.
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Trousers.
Light sky blue cloth from the 15th October to the 30th April, and white linen or cotton from the 1st May, to the 14th October, made plain, without the stripe.
Corporal's Coat and Trousers--Same as Sergeants, excepting that there will be but two buttons on the slash sleeve of the coat, conforming to the pattern of the sleeve for Lieutenants. Trousers same as Sergeants. Epaulettes same as Sergeants, except that the bullion will be smaller.
Private's Coat and Trousers--Same as Corporals.
Musicians--Same, except that the color of the coat be red, with white linings, collar, and turnbacks.
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Boots.
Ankle or Jefferson.
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Fatigue Caps.
Same as at present worn.
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Stock.
Black leather.
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Sergeants--When in fatigue dress will be designated by wearing two plain stripes of worsted lace on each arm below the elbow, placed diagonally on the upper side of the arm from one seam to the other, the outer points inclining towards the elbow.
Corporals--will wear one stripe on each arm in the manner designated for Sergeants.
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Plume or Pompon.
Red.
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Sky blue kersey to be substituted for the light gray fatigue dress, no binding on the collar; shoulder straps plain.
The white linen jacket will be worn during the summer.
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HEAD QUARTERS OF THE MARINE CORPS,
ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR'S OFFICE,
Washington, January 23, 1840.
Orders:
1. All orders heretofore issued in reference to the cocked hat to be worn by the Field Officers, Staff, and Captains of the Corps, from and after the 4th of July, 1840, are hereby revoked; and in lieu of which the following described hat will be worn.
2. Hat to be made as a cocked hat, and to admit of being closed like a chapeau; the fan or back part not to exceed ten inches, nor less than eight and a half inches high; the front or cock to be from one inch to an inch and a half less than the back; the corners to be from five to six inches long: the hat to be bound with plain black twilled ribbon; the straps on the front side to be of the same ribbon as the binding.
3. Cockade, black twilled silk, loop of gold; the pattern to be furnished by the Quartermaster of the corps. Tassels, crimson and gold.
4. All Officers of the corps, when in uniform and not in full dress, will wear the following described cap, belt, and plate, from and after the fourth of July, 1840.
5. Cap, blue cloth, with a black patent leather visor, the segment of a circle; a twilled silk band to surround the body of the cap, with a foul anchor of gold, in a gold wreath in front, with a small marine button on each side of the cap; the upper part of the crown to be extended by a whalebone hoop.
6. Belt. The undress belt to be of black patent leather; the sword to be suspended by black patent leather; swivels of brass to receive the sword.
7. Plate for the belts to be of plain brass of oblong form, three inches long and two wide, with a gold wreath of raised work within it; German-text letters, U.S.M., of silver, (likewise raised work,) of the same pattern and dimensions as the work on the fatigue cap.
8. The rank of commissioned Officers, when in undress, will be designated by wearing a blue cloth shoulder-strap, four inches long, on each shoulder, and one inch wide, with gold embroidered edge one-eighth of an inch wide.
9. A Colonel's to be ornamented with a gold spread eagle.
10. A Lieutenant Colonel's to be embroidered at the ends with gold, thus
11. A Major's the same as a Lieutenant Colonel's with this exception; the flower at the ends of the strap will be embroidered with silver.
12. The Staff of the corps to wear the same strap as the Staff of the army. There being no assimilated rank in the army with that of Adjutant and Inspector, he will wear the strap designated for the Quartermaster and Paymaster.
13. A Captain's to be embroidered at the ends with gold, (crosswise,) with two oblong squares, three-eighths of an inch long and one-eighth of an inch wide, each.
14. A First Lieutenant's the same as a Captain's, with this exception; one of the squares at each end will be omitted.
15. A Second Lieutenant's the same as a First Lieutenant's, omitting the oblong squares.
16. All non-commissioned officers above the rank of Corporal, when in full or undress, will wear on the light blue cloth pantaloons a dark blue stripe of cloth down the outer seam, the same shade of the coat, one and a half inches wide, with scarlet edging to correspond with edging on the collar.
By order of
A. HENDERSON,
Colonel Commandant Marine Corps.
P.G. HOWLE,
Adjutant and Inspector.
HEAD QUARTERS OF THE MARINE CORPS,
Washington, January 28, 1852.
Sir: In compliance with the order contained in your letter of the 27th instant, I inclose to the Department the plates and orders in relation to the uniform of the Marine Corps.
Some slight changes in the Captain's have been found necessary to add to the military appearance of the uniform.
The uniform of the Captains as it is now, combines all that is essential for the service, and the officers are satisfied that no change is necessary.
I remain, most respectfully, yours,
ARCH. HENDERSON,
Bvt. Brig. Gen. Commandant.
The Hon. Wm. A. Graham,
Secretary of the Navy.
Source: Regulations for the Uniform and Dress of the Navy and Marine Corps of the United States. March, 1852. Washington: C. Alexander, Printer. 1852.
Note: The text is reproduced here exactly as in the original, following the original use of capitalization and italics. The square brackets were used in the original publication.