Ok
Pipeclay- in the 18th century and well into 19th century military belts were all made from natural tanned leather (vegetable tanning process). These belts to keep them serviceable often were pipeclayed-pipeclay is a very white soft clay and would be mixed with water to make a paste which was then applied to the belts therefore whitening them. Have a look at
www.85eme.org for example phots.
These leather belts were suceeded in the British Empire forces and USA by an innovation by using cotton twill and creating cotton webbing-this is a very strong and robust material-its also a damn sight cheaper than leather. This led to modern webbing in use from the 1890s.British patterns included the 1908, 1937 patterns (also worn by postwar Belgian, Dutch, Italian and many many many other nations armies) and 1958 patterns. These were suceeded by developments using nylon and other manmade fibres which again offer more advantages such as lightness, better weathering, etc.
As regards uniform development camouflage has always been with us in one form or another-the German jagers fighting in the 7YW in the 1750s wore green coats, often with red cuffs and lapels. In the AWI American riflmen often took the field wearing buckskins and by the Napoleonic Wars the British army had several battalions of green jacketed riflemen- the 60th Royal Americans (later on the Kings Royal Rifle Corps) and the 95th Regiment (later known as the Rifle Brigade). This was fairly basic camouflage though and its only well into the mid and late 19th century that khaki starts to come through.
Right boring bit over.
My pet project is here:
Kingdom of Hesse.
The Kingdom was reformed in 1814 following Napoleons removal to Elba. The 2 Kingdoms of Hesse have been combined along with a few sequestered territories thus creating this new barrier kingdom.
The army thus created has an Austrian style in its uniforms with Austrian belltopped shakos, single breasted jackets and crossbelts (one with ammunition pouch and one with bayonet). The cavalry also has an Austrian look to them. Regarding weapons -bit of a mix of British supplied, and ex French.
Cavalry:
Lieb Garde Regt zu Pferd (Life Guards). Black helmets, white coats, red facings, gold lace, red surcoats in full ceremonial dress with Guards star. White buckskin leather breeches. Straight sabres (Kiegenthal type) 4 squadrons. (rarely if ever takes the field)
Gens d'Arms (Gentlemen at Arms). Same helmets, same uniforms but blue facings and gold lace.4 squadrons, sabres, 2 pistols, 12 carbines per squadron.
Kurrassier Regt (Curassier Regt) as above-no surcoats, wilver lace and red facings.4 squadrons
Karabiniers Regt(Carabinieers) pale staw coloured uniforms otherwise as Kurrassier Regt.4 squadrons. Karabiniers have a rifled carbine as well as sabre and pistol.
Uhlanen Regt (Lancer Regt) -provide light cavalry to the Heavy Cavalry brigade. Wear a red schapska with black leather visor, red/white plumes. Blue kurtka with red plastron fronts, piping and cuffs. Red trousers in full dress with blue piping otherwise blue overalls. Carry a lance, carbine, pistol and sabre (6 squadrons)
Dragoner Regts (6 regiments) All wear the cavalry helmet (Austrian pattern). Single breasted blue jacket, white belts, white buckskin breeches or overalls, straight sabres, all carry a carbine and pistol.
(4 squadrons per regt) Facings and lace- 1st (red and gold, 2nd red and silver, 3rd yellow and silver, 4th green and silver, 5th pink and silver, 6th sky blue and silver) (4 squadrons each)
Jager zu Pferd (Mounted Rifles) same uniform as dragoons 1st Regt with red facings and gold lace, 2nd regt with black facings and silver lace. (4 squadrons each)
Chevau Leger -same uniforms as dragoons 2 regiments have light sabre
more later...