How 18th Century British Soldiers Kept Their Accoutrements White

[@simeondarke201]

During the 1960s I was in the Royal Naval Cadet force, I am 70, and we still pipeclayed our square rigger caps, I learned to pipe lay from my great uncle who was in the RN from 1900 to 1929. The pipe laying we used was the cold method use by Townshend but we used laundry blue rather than raw indigo as, as you discovered, raw indigo is a bugger to dissolve. Your video triggered a few happy memories so thank you for that. Just a couple of points for your information, the"usual method" discribed by Hinde is small circular motions and when sponging wrap the sponge in a small square of linen as this prevents flecks of sponge spoiling the overall finish.

[@TheFarOffStation]

That is a great story, thank you so much for sharing! I wasn’t aware that pipeclaying had been in use that late, that’s so very cool! Yes, I totally see why people used liquid dyes, definitely makes life a bit easier!

[@peterw9006]

5:00 "Red coat ASMR exists and it is Terrible"

[@TheFarOffStation]

^this guy knows what’s up!

[@sariekitchen]

I rewatch that video monthly lol... watching three grown men lose their innocence while they shout at a computer gives me such immeasurable joy

[@philipbranco9568]

Really interesting even if you are not into American Independence re-enactment. Living history like this is a fab way to learn and gets people really engaging, like how when you visit living history museums. As you have said at the end, it something that could really interest young people in history due to the practical nature of history.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks for the kind words, mate! There truly is nothing better than hands on learning!

[@theministryforhistory]

Brilliant work! Now back to button shining! 🧐

[@TheFarOffStation]

Yes your Lordship, I shan't keep you waiting!

[@NickWood07]

These videos keep getting betterer and betterer!

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks, old boy!

[@hardalarboard8876]

Very interesting, I often heard the term used and never knew the actual processes! Thank you for this very informative video!

[@TheFarOffStation]

You’re very welcome, glad you could learn something! I know I always wanted to know what was involved in the process as well!

[@OscarOSullivan]

@@TheFarOffStationThe move to black trousers was a smart move

[@PAGGIE9111]

Have my first event with the 23rd RWF next month. I'll be using Hindes recipe to whiten my belting! Thanks!

[@TheFarOffStation]

You’re very welcome, I hope that it went well.

[@sariekitchen]

Okay, so this video is fascinating, and Jon's channel is MASSIVELY underrated, so here is my proposal: Put his videos on the slowest speed imaginable and leave them on in the background while you do housework and things, because this boy is destined for greatness. Let's help the algorithm give this quality historical content a little push. Who's in?

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thank you for the kind words and support, mate!

[@johnfisk811]

The principle continued in use, in coloured form as well as white, into the 1960s in British service on webbing. Referred to as ‘blanco’ from a trade name originally for white pipe laying. Can still be purchased. BTW the China clay (kaolin) waste heaps in Cornwall around St. Austell are locally known as the Cornish Alps from their conical hill shapes and colour. Now greening over with changes in practices.

[@glynluff2595]

We still used blanco in the seventies but it was purchased in NAFFI. For alum read ‘pee’ . It was a way of scouring cloth to accept dyes. The Romans had barrels on street corners to gather it! In recent use,the surface was not burnished but it was used on webbing. The secret was not to be too generous or it would flake off. The kit was scrubbed off clean first.

[@danielnewman9457]

Jonathan, when you use the "black bottle", use the bottom of the bottle to burnish. Great vid!

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks, Dr Dan!

[@wsaull8568]

When you mentioned ASMR, I started getting concerned lol. Also the wow has returned! Huzzah!

[@TheFarOffStation]

Oh man I know, I had to make sure I didn’t get cared away! Yes, the wow has returned, I made sure I did! I know how much of a tragedy it’s been without it!

[@ChristheRedcoat]

W-wait, you mean they didn’t use Kiwi Shoe Polish? 🤯

[@TheFarOffStation]

Unacceptable, I won’t stand for this. I’m pulling out of the hobby. Reeeeee

[@matthabir4837]

Only in New Zealand...

[@Dreadnought586]

Very interesting topic and excellent presentation as always

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks mate, glad to hear that you enjoyed it!

[@thehistoadian]

This should come in handy with some Victorian equipment I'm hoping to make, excellent video!

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thank you, I hope the info helps you out well!

[@TheAuditor6846]

Very insightful

[@TheFarOffStation]

Glad to see that you enjoyed it.

[@lockard71]

Excellent video.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Many thanks!

[@thedamnyankee1]

Kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) is used for a lot of things, like toothpaste. However, the fact that you can eat it doesnt change the fact that as a powder, you don't want to breath it. Silicosis, while period, isn't something you want to get.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Ladies and gentlemen, this is why you wear a mask!

[@danielnewman9457]

As of 2004 it is not used in tooth past or medicines.

[@thedamnyankee1]

the French didnt use pipeclay. They kept their uniforms white with the shear power of awesome.

[@TheFarOffStation]

I’ll allow this pro French comment due to its humorous nature, it made me laugh.

[@Forests0fFantasy]

Just subscribed. Very interesting content

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks, mate! Happy to see that you like it!

[@TchaikovskyFDR]

Very great video! Will be using this in conjunction with the same recipes this random stranger gave me at some random place; so I am told they are the same.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Wouldn’t it be wild if they were the same person…..

[@Here4Years]

That was captivating. Really enjoyed it. Many thanks.

[@TheFarOffStation]

You’re very welcome, glad to see that you enjoyed it so!

[@Here4Years]

@@TheFarOffStation BTW: A follow-up question - Who's the guy at 21:48 with the makeshift clapperboard?

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@Here4Years oh, he's a reenactor mate of mine!

[@whbrown1862]

I wonder how this application works on bayonet frogs.

[@TheFarOffStation]

I’ve tried it, works just the same, it’s just hard to burnish them to to them not being flat.

[@sariekitchen]

So I'm illiterate apparently and just read "I wonder how this application works on bayonets"

[@neilmorrison7356]

Just glad that when I had to whiten my spats the whitening could be bought.

[@TheFarOffStation]

That’s always a huge plus!

[@basedhistory8948]

Good vid

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks!

[@Sonofanirsrebel]

Fun. The Second Lord of pedantry, Mr Station. The Vice to first lord of pedantry, Mr Brandon F.

[@TheFarOffStation]

I’ve received a pretty good chuckle from this!

[@brickproduction1815]

Could you do a video on how to fold your tunic sleeves for ww2 southeast Asia? Cause I only know a modern way of folding which I learn in the army

[@TheFarOffStation]

Like the aertex and other patterns of shirts worn in that period?

[@brickproduction1815]

@@TheFarOffStation yeah!

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@brickproduction1815 well really, it’s just like rolling up any long sleeve shirt, there isn’t some special method!

[@brickproduction1815]

@@TheFarOffStation I know there's like a style to it. For me being in the army, you need to fold it extremely neatly so I thought it applies the same for the old days as well

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@brickproduction1815 in the period pictures, we see them rolled up pretty simply, nothing too formal.

[@johnbertram975]

How does one store the remainder of the whitening, and does it ever go bad (whatever 'bad' may be)?

[@TheFarOffStation]

Any sort of storage vessel that has a lid is the best bet. It’d basically good indefinitely. If stored for extended periods of time it may start to mold on top, just skim it off.

[@johnbertram975]

@@TheFarOffStation Cheers

[@Timrath]

Is it known when white leatherwork became fashionable? When looking at soldiers from the early 1700s, I see them wearing buff crossbelts. Which nation was the first to introduce white crossbelts? I'd imagine it was one that had predominantly white uniforms, like the French, Austrians, Spanish and Saxons.

[@bogtrotter17]

Did it add any stiffness to the leather?

[@TheFarOffStation]

It really didn’t. The coats are so thin that there’s no real impact.

[@bogtrotter17]

@@TheFarOffStation very cool content. Keep it up!

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@bogtrotter17 thank you, mate! I shall!

[@zyzor]

How did the men keep their hair clean and powdered?

[@conrailquality1999]

not to brag, but I think I'm the first view here, and this video does seem pretty interesting

[@TheFarOffStation]

It does appear that you were the first! Congrats!

[@conrailquality1999]

@@TheFarOffStation Horray! And thanks for the good content as always.

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@conrailquality1999 thanks mate, always glad to see you enjoying the content!

[@cjthehistoryperson]

Great video! I think this would be an interesting thing to try, but I don’t think I’d be allowed to because of the smell.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Hinde’s recipe only smells if you inhale the steam off the top of the pot, even then, it’s just a strong soap smell, nothing chemical smelling. Just not something you expect out of a pot in the kitchen! Significantly less noxious than paint and shoe care products! And when cool, nothing at all! Trenchard’s even has no smell at all! The clay in a pot though, your mom might not like that 🤣

[@jesseestrada8914]

if you need any hand made natural soap, I make lots of it on my stovetop using leftover cooking oil. Its got nothing in it but natural soap.

[@jesseestrada8914]

and to be clear, its free. I usually donate it to community centers in the area. It has no value.

[@TheFarOffStation]

What acid do you use to make it into soap?

[@winstonstone]

Black Bottle!!!!!

[@TheFarOffStation]

No, my lord!

[@winstonstone]

@@TheFarOffStation It's a Black Bottle and your are drinking Porter out of it!!

[@zhan9207]

What a nice looking soup that you were cooking there😂

[@TheFarOffStation]

Rather flavourful.