Chartered in 1776 and with a museum dating back to 1843, the Bristol Train of Artillery these days is fired up about its brand new uniforms, ready for wear in the next Fourth of July Parade.

“If you lined three of us up before now,” Executive Officer Roy Leffingwell said, “we didnt look the same, and a uniform is supposed to be uniform. Now everything is identical. Now we look uniform.” 

The pride that he and other members displayed recently donning the new gear at their State Street location was clear but modestly spoken. “It makes us feel better about our public presentation,” Lt. Col. Leffingwell said.

Familiar figures in the Fourth of July Parade, firing muskets and startling youngsters with a thunderous canon, the local favorites lead off each year’s Centennial Division. This year they will march with a fresh step.

“The old uniforms were threadbare and faded from the sun,” Lt. Col. Leffingwell said. “Some were hand-me-downs and fit poorly. Now they all fit correctly and are the same style.”

The new uniforms retain many original design features from the War of Independence, according to Commanding Officer Ray Murray. The gold-trimmed, tri-cornered hats were made in part by the Amish in Pennsylvania, the jackets and other garments by Anita Bausk of Marlboro, Mass. 

In business on her own, Ms. Bausk refers to herself as an 18th-century tailor. She has been making centennial uniforms for more than 30 years, and just last year remade all the uniforms for the Kentish Guards Rhode Island Militia from East Greenwich. She has also made uniforms for the Lexington (Mass) Minute Men.

Ms. Bausk said the Amish make only the shell of the hat, called the “blank,” in deference to their non-violent nature, and that she adds the fabric and embroidery to give the “blank” its military character. She also noted that the BTA requested she model their uniforms in part after the U.S. Army Old Guard militia. 

Re-outfitting all 30 members of the regiment cost about $1,200 per uniform. With help from a $16,000 Champlin Foundation grant, the balance was raised by BTA events and individual members, according to BTA Treasurer Michael Dutra.

The ceremonial uniforms strike a stately picture and retain the features for a functioning soldier on the battlefield. For example, the white undershirt still drops below the knees to make a warm night shirt. 

“Colonial soldiers didn’t carry extra clothes,” said Lt Col Leffingwell. “They had to be ready to jump into battle at night.” He also noted drop-front breeches or “britches,” making it easy for a soldier to relieve himself.

The dark navy blue jackets with shining pewter buttons are designed with collars and extended coattails to adjust for more formal wear and to keep soldiers warm in winter. The red collar, or “facing,” on the jackets was for generals to identify artillery units from afar, and giving the BTA its distinctive look.

Gold trim on the tri-cornered hat also identified artillery units. Senior officers wear gold and red epaulettes of knitted linen and cotton on each shoulder. Only one epaulette is worn by each enlisted man. While epaulettes were primarily to distinguish rank, they were also to keep shoulder straps from slipping off.

A long waist band or sash is worn by the leading officers and is largely ceremonial. Originally used to tie off or cover up a soldier’s wound, it may be six feet long or longer.

The one unique piece of the BTA uniform, worn only by Commanding Officer Murray, is the polished brass plate hanging from the neck to cover the throat and called the “gorget.” From the French “gorge,” meaning “throat,” it was originally a piece of armor protecting the chest area, but from the 18th century on, it was primarily ornamental. 

“It was seen as a bulls eye,” Lt .Col. Leffingwell said. “If the commanding officer died in battle, the next in command would take it over.” The gorget worn by Col. Murray has been passed on over the years from BTA Commanding Officers Nick Castigliego to Everett Francis to Raymond Thomas and now to Col. Murray.

The last time the BTA was fitted with new uniforms was about 60 years ago, under Commanding Officer Raymond Thomas, according to Lt. Col. Leffingwell, who added that some additional garments were purchased 15 years ago. “These new uniforms were sorely needed,” he said.

Col Murray said most of the current BTA membership is from Bristol, with ages into the 60s and 70s. Some younger members are also Eagle Scouts. Always looking to enlist new members, Col. Murray invited anyone interested in joining to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at their 135 State St. location.

Ms. Bausk said she learned tailoring from her mother, who first taught her how to make her own dolls’ clothing. With a degree in accounting, she worked for years in business, until she met her husband, who participated in Revolutionary War military reenactments. 

These days she and her husband dress in period costume and visit area schools to give colonial cooking demonstrations and interest students in the history of the times. “At school they read a book, but with us its more hands-on,” she said. 

“The students like the details,” she went on. “We make all our clothing with 100 percent wool ... natural fiber ... and they say, Wow, check this out. They can absorb it. They get inspired and want to learn more.”

Making uniforms is more than just business to Ms. Bausk. “It’s a way to keep history alive,” she said. “If you don’t get involved, it’s easy to forget.”

The BTA will remind us this summer as they march by in their new navy blues that the Revolution was hard fought by men of rugged character, always proud to look their best keeping the founders of freedom alive in our hearts.