Hello,
I am working on a 54mm union flag bearer and would like all your advise on what the color(s) are for the rank on the sleeves of their uniforms? I have seen on reenactments that they are a what looks to be a white or a VERY light blue,maybe.
Also, where the canteens a wood color or did they have some kind of cloth covering?
So any suggestions will be of great help.
Thank you.
Chris

Hi Chris,

Union infantry rank insignia was a bright sky blue fading lighter as it weathered. Union issued canteens were tin covered with brown or sky blue cloth, brown being the most common. It depended on the manufacturer. Color bearers were sergeants usually wearing regulation sky blue trousers wth a 1/2” wide dark blue stripe down the outer seam of each leg. The regulation color for the coat was indigo and sky blue for trousers. Hope this helps.

Thank you very much! this did help a lot!
chris

Quick correction. Sgt. trouser stripes were 1 1/2” corporal trouser stripes were 1/2”.

Len,
I mainly use JS paints to paint all my figures and the sky blue color, what color would best represent the sky blue color in the JS paint line? would you know or anyone you might know would know?
Chris

Both of the pictures attached by Fantomas are of original coats so it shows you the varition. The stripes on the coat on the left are a truer sky blue as was called for in regulations. I paint mainly civil war figures and tend to favor the deeper blue. I'm not sure about a match for JS paints anything close would work. Not a great photo but the trousers and coat piping in this Tunison Sculpture I painted are sky blue oils.

Variations on a theme

Great! I think I got it! Thanks.
Chris