Remember, too, that there could be some variation in uniform pieces, within the same regiment, and even within the same company, in the 18th century. In most armies, regimental commanders tried to achieve uniformity, at least at the company level. So, a company's coats or smallclothes would be sent for dyeing in the same batch. But the cloth and the dyes weathered something fierce. Same goes for the felt tricornes worn in all armies. Remember, they were felt, and in the elements, they started to go weak pretty fast. The Prussians sent theirs to be blocked once a year, but replaced them frequently. Also, there was an evolution in fashion taking place. In the first decades of the 18th century, the hats had more of a forward peak, but towards the end of the century, there was development towards more of a bicorne.
Same goes for the size of the hat. In the first part of the 18th century, they tended to be larger. But after the Seven Years War, most armies started to follow the Prussian fashion. They had made their hats smaller, for economy, and some, like the British, followed suit, because the Prussians had won.
Upshot is, there can be variation, and still be accuracy or realism.
Prosit!
Brad
