My Dear knowledgable fellows,
I am interested in portraying an Irishman who was formerly in French (Wild Geese) Service, who went to scotland when his enlistment was up in early '45.
the problem starts here:  I haven't a clue as to what I'd have for clothing (Aside from leftover french uniform pieces), esp. headware, weapons, equipment and pretty much everything else, and I haven't found much on the subject. 
your opinions, facts and documentation would be greatly appreciated.  documentation would be nice, seeing as I'm a history Major in College at this point and I've been drilled to not take anything without some sort of sited sourses!
Thank you,
Your humble Irish Servant,
Steven Woods (Or McGrath)

Hi Steven,

I found a link to reenactment group which portrays the Irish Piquets!
http://www.geocities.com/irishpiquets/

You'll find some good info there. In Like Hungry Wolfes by Stuart Reid, there is a good watercolour sketch of what one of the regiments present at Culloden were dressed and equipped like. The watercolour is made by Gerry Embleton, so it has good research

If you need a musket that's proper for the Wild Gees of Charlies Jacobite army, I think you'd go right by getting a French Model 1728. The Epee du Soldat that G.Gedned Goodwin ( http://www.gggoodwin.com )offers has a good reputation and is correct for the period.

I look forward to hearing (or seing) how your kit turns out! Good luck, and God bless ye wild shamrock-lovin' whiskey-drinkin' Irish mad man! :-D Hehe!

Cheers,
Henrik

thank you gentelmen,
     I appreciate the help, but I still have one small question, which maybe you can answer Mr Carpenter:
      the arms issued to the Irish Piquets and other french-made arms that were sent over, were they the newer 1728s or 1717s?  that's the major thing I was wondering about. it seems to me the new pattern would go to French Army units first, and the surplus 'obsilete' guns would go to allies.

     anyways, for the rest of my kit, I made a bonnet in about an hour, I've obviously got britches, shirts and the like, I am, after all, a tailor by Re-enating trade!  I have a chopped-up French Marine waistcoat, and haversack, canteen etc. 

     my weapon as of now is under construction, a French style fowler that one of my friends is doing assembly on for me.

    I've got the basics down, now it's for the details.

     I was thinking that Irishmen were not confined to the Irish regiments as far as the reading I have done sais, and since I have a waistcoat from the marines I figured I should take that angle until I have time to make my new coat and waistcoat.  also, from what I've read if you were discharged, you might be able to keep your uniform peices, or at least parts of them if you happened to be  on the two-year issue cycle and new uniforms were on the way.
     I would also like to look into the option of being an irishman who is not afiliated with one of the irish regiments.    if that's the case, even baring French service altogether, what do you think would I have for equipment?

thank you again,
Steve Woods
(Mad Irishman Tailor)

Hi Steve,
all of the regiments in Prince Charles' Army during the '45 were raised in Scotland with a few odds and ends picked up during the march to England. So the issue for an Irishman would be how did he connect himself to either a clan or lowland regiment? 

To me, the best potential for developing an independent Irish persona would be in the lowland regiments since they drew from the area and anyone who would have worked/lived there.   In that case a more continental look for clothing/kit would be totally appropriate.

Not having drilled deeper into the muster rolls I can't say for sure, but you could make a credible arguement for that if you're looking to be part of a non-French Army unit serving with the Jacobites.
Hope that helps

all the best,
Chris

again thank you for your input!
    I don't think I want to do upper-class/person of means, that'd mean I'd need to use manners, and get something other than my former-axe-handle that serves faithfully as my hand-to-hand sidearm (who needs a sword, I mean really, drink and potatoes and women are much better things to spend what money you have on! and it was free.). 
     the Jacobite sentiments, as in liking to use English as targets runs through Ireland throughout the 18th century. I mean, they made it illegal to be catholic and Irish in Ireland because you were in the way of the English Protestant sheep!  everyone on the island wants to beat the english.
    so, even if I was lower class, as in poor journey-man tailor from tiperary, if I had had any training and a means to join, I would, personally.  the unit I attach is the issue, as Mr Timm pointed out.
     by the way, was the law against fire-arms in the hands of the Irish already in Effect by 1745, or did that come later?
     another thing that struck me today, could I get attached to the army as a messenger/ runner/ orderly type or was that done on the regiment level?

     les companies fraches de la marine, naval troops, were posted on ships and in France, guarding ports.   after researching my osprey book [men at arms no. 313 (Louis XV's army 5, colonial and naval troops)] I have found that their justacorps were slightly different, but their small-clothes were the same as most others in the American colonies.  I think I could pull that off, provided the items I have and my current monetary straits.  if I do that, I'd have some sailing experience, I would have seen some of the world (canada maybe...) had good training on linear and open light-infantry tactics. with this level of training, I think I'd have an easy time getting in to a regiment, provided I adapted to the language  change.
     I'm going to do some more looking into which regiments were there, and what nes are arround now, then I'll try to link up with one.
         thank you.

How about this, Steve; You've been serving onboard a ship with home port in Scotland. When the news reaches you that Charlie has landed, you take action, and together with some jacobite Scots also working on the tradeship, you take immediate leave, and set for joining Charlie. You are lucky enough to reach Edinburgh just before Charlie is marching on Copes army at Prestonpans.
Does this work? Add a bit more background history etc.

Cheers,
Henrik

I like it! But I have one question; do you know the tailoring trade?

Cheers,
Henrik

HAHAHAHA!
Great. I'll think on you when I have enouch money for a some new highland short cloathes

Cheers,
Henrik