1748 Pattern

{{Pagelayout 2Box
 * LeftWidth=
 * LeftBoxBorder=
 * LeftBoxColour=
 * LeftBoxTitle=
 * LeftBoxContent=

The First Royal Naval Uniform
In 1748 the first regulations for a Royal Naval uniform for officers was released by the board of Admiralty. This was based on a number of designs submitted by senior captains and closely follows the fashion of the time.

There are some items that are common to all uniforms and ranks. Though of course the quality would vary depending on the wealth of the officer.
 * Hat: All ranks would wear a black tricorne with gold trim and a black silk cockade.
 * Tie: A white silk tie would be worn by all ranks except Midshipmen.
 * Shirt: White, the fashion was for large shirts.
 * Breaches: Navy blue with brass buttons.
 * Stockings: White
 * Shoes/Boots: Black
 * RightWidth=200px
 * RightBoxBorder=#000000
 * RightBoxColour=
 * RightBoxTitle=
 * RightBreakLine=
 * RightBoxContent=

}} {{Pagelayout 2Box On looking at the evidence there are two main issues that are not present with modern uniforms.
 * LeftWidth=
 * LeftBoxBorder=
 * LeftBoxColour=
 * LeftBoxTitle=
 * LeftBoxContent=

Variation within the pattern
This may be caused by artistic licence of the painter or variation of the uniform as each tailor interpreted the pattern. There was no single supplier of uniforms and tailors would have had little experience of naval uniforms or other examples to copy. This would result in some variation of the details.

Lack of consistent style
The admiralty invited a number of senior officers to submit designs for the first uniform. These were then presented to the board who selected either entire uniforms or details from each. This would explain why the dress and undress uniforms for Senior captains where so different in design. It doesn't even appear than one person designed all the undress and someone else designed the dress. Sir Augustus Kepple was one of the officers involved in the design process, and there's a strong possibility that he designed the undress uniform for junior and senior captains. This friction between styles was one of the main issues addressed in the 1767 pattern which replaced the 1748.

If I was to guess I'd say that the Dress uniforms for Lieutenant, Senior captain and Flag officer where designed by one person and Midshipman and Junior Captain by another. The cuff style seems to support this although I've yet to find solid evidence of who designed what.
 * RightWidth=200px
 * RightBoxBorder=#000000
 * RightBoxColour=
 * RightBoxTitle=
 * RightBreakLine=
 * RightBoxContent=

Forum Rank Insignia
As with the current system we would use the sleeves and cuffs as the rank insignia on the forum. Dress uniform is used throughout.

Gentleman

Esquire

Knight

Viscount

Earl }}

Waistcoat / Vest
 File:RNMidshipmanWaistcoatRoughDM062011.png|Midshipman Waistcoat File:RNLieutenantWaistcoatRoughDM062011.png|Lieutenant Waistcoat File:Vest.png|Junior Captain (under 3 years) Waistcoat File:SOVest.png|Senior Captain (over 3 years) Waistcoat File:RN1748FlagOfficerDressWaistcoat.png|Flag officer Waistcoat  ''Uniform templates created by 'Not By Appointment' who owns the copyright. Permission given for non-profit use.''

Dress Uniforms
 File:Midshipman Dress.png|Midshipman Dress Uniform File:Lieutenant Dress.png|Lieutenant Dress Uniform File:Junion Captain Dress.png|Junior Captain (under 3 years) Dress Uniform File:RN1748SeniorCaptainFullDressDM102011b.png|Senior Captain (over 3 years) Dress Uniform File:RN1748FlagOfficerFullDressDM102011.png|Flag Officer Dress Uniform  ''Uniform templates created by 'Not By Appointment' who owns the copyright. Permission given for non-profit use.''

Undress Uniforms
 File:Lieutenant Undress.png|Lieutenant Undress Uniform File:Junion Captain Undress.png|Junior Captain (under 3 years) Undress Uniform File:Senior Captain Undress.png|Senior Captain (over 3 years) Undress Uniform File:RN1748FlagOfficerUndress.png|Flag officer Undress Uniform  ''Uniform templates created by 'Not By Appointment' who owns the copyright. Permission given for non-profit use.''

Source Material
Where ever possible I have used contemporary sources to research the 1748 uniforms. These are in the form of the many paintings held by the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Their archives include original examples of uniforms as well as oil paintings from the peroid. I have selected paintings created between 1748 and 1760 during which the 1748 pattern was the only one used.

Midshipman
 File:F2206-2.jpg|Midshipman Dress Coat Front File:F2206-3.jpg|Midshipman Dress Coat Back File:F2206-4.jpg|Midshipman Dress Coat Cuff Detail 

Lieutenant
 File:F2184-2.jpg|Lieutenant Waistcoat (Vest) File:F2184-1.jpg|Lieutenant Waistcoat (Vest) Pocket Detail File:BHC3114.jpg|Lieutenant Undress Uniform File:F2185-6.jpg|Lieutenant Dress Coat Front File:F2185-5.jpg|Lieutenant Dress Coat Back File:F2185-3.jpg|Lieutenant Dress Coat Cuff Detail 

Junior Captain
 File:F2204-2.jpg|Junior Captain Waistcoat (Vest) File:F2204-1.jpg|Junior Captain Waistcoat (Vest) Pocket Detail File:BHC3109.jpg|Junior Captain Undress Uniform File:BHC2915.jpg|Junior Captain Dress Uniform File:HPHLxBgBApY9e2qeSq9Qvc.jpg|Junior Captain Dress Uniform 

Senior Captain
 File:F2203-2.jpg|Senior Captain Waistcoat (Vest) File:F2203-3.jpg|Senior Captain Waistcoat (Vest) Pocket Detail File:Augustus keppel.jpg|Senior Captain Undress Uniform File:BHC2573.jpg|Senior Captain Undress Uniform File:BHC2592.jpg|Senior Captain Undress Uniform File:BHC2633.jpg|Senior Captain Undress Uniform File:BHC3015.jpg|Senior Captain Undress Uniform File:BHC2677.jpg|Senior Captain Dress Uniform File:BHC2718.jpg|Senior Captain Dress Uniform File:BHC2793.jpg|Senior Captain Dress Uniform 

Flag Officer
 File:Admiral augustus keppel.jpg|Flag Officer Undress Uniform File:BHC2590.jpg|Flag Officer Dress Uniform File:BHC2591.jpg|Flag Officer Dress Uniform File:BHC2721.jpg|Flag Officer Dress Uniform File:BHC3064.jpg|Flag Officer Dress Uniform File:BHC3079.jpg|Flag Officer Dress Uniform 