Hi all, I’m working on a private of the black watch from the Crimean war and my knowledge of the period is sketchy at best. I need to know the materials/colours for these bits of his kit, if anyone has photos and whatnot, that’d be grand. Cheers all, Jim.

Bump! Pleeeeeeeeease! I need to get on with this, lol!

The pack is black ( oil-painted canvas, so a slight sheen) with white buff straps. The number 42 was probably painted in white on the back.The waterbottle is mid-blue, not too bright, and the ammo pouch( white buff straps on the underside) and the messtin in its oilcloth cover are also black. Since he appears to be wearing his greatcoat ( grey, correct) the item rolled on the pack must be his blanket , which were at that period buff. In fact they rarely wore their packs in the field since they landed in the Crimea without them, only receiving them some months later, in a thoroughly pillaged state.

Many thanks Tony, just what I was after.

Will do Nap, getting on with the base today.