The Uniform Imperial Decree relating to the uniform of the foot troops. Issued at the Tuileries 19 January 1812 Article 1. The dress or the n.c.o.s and soldiers of our corps of infantry, artillery, sappers and veterans, shall be composed of a habit-veste, a gilet with sleeves tricot pantalons, linen pantalons, linen undewear, a greatcoat, a shako, and a bonnet de police. The colours presently in service are to be conserved. Habits and Gilets: General Proportions. 2. The habit-vestes and gilets shall be cut following the height and build of the men, so that the cut shall allow the men to perform with ease the movements ordered, without danger of ripping the seams. To this effect, the body shall be cut very large, the rear of the habit and gilet, and the sleeves, and arm-holes shall equally be cut large. The measure shall be taken of each man on the body, the shoulders held well up and back, to take the measure of the back the arms are held forward. The "fronts" are made so that a hand can be passed between the habit and the gilet; the collar when closed, shall be able to take two fingers behind it. The pantalons shall be cut large enough to easily contain the underwear, and for the man to be able to place his knee on the ground with ease. When the measure cannot be made on the man, the habits, gilets, and underwear shall be cut for three heights. Proportions of the Habit. 3. The habit-veste shall be of the colour regulated for the uniform; the rear shall be of such a length so that the bottom of the tails fall to 300mm (about 11 inches) from the ground, the man kneeling, and such that the fronts shall be of a length proportional to the height of the man; such that the gilet and the hips are covered. The habit is lined with linen cloth falling 110mm (about 4 inches) below the height of the fronts in an oblique line across the tails. The length of the body is in proportion to the height of the man, such that the length of the tails, measured from the bottom of the tails to the centre back shall be 310, 325 or 340mm (11, 11.5, and 12.5 inches approximately). The width of the tails shall be 110,  115, 120mm (4", 4"3 lines, 4"6 lines approximately) measured from button centre to button centre. Tails and Turnbacks 4. The tails shall be lined with a light-serge wool cloth of a distinctive colour; they shall be 320mm (about 1 foot) long; their width is 325, 350, 375mm, (12,13,14 inches approximately), measured in a horizontal line, from the seam at the middle of the back to the front edge: they are cut square at the bottom of the tails: their width at the bottom of the turnbacks shall be 200, 215, or 230mm, (7.5, 8, 8.5 inches approximately). The turnbacks are of wool clQth, as are the ornaments: on the inner edge they fall straight, and join precisly to the base of the tails, such that the tails are always joined. The turnbacks of the fusiliers are decorated with an N surmounted by an imperial crown, made by means of a cutting stamp, with cloth of the colour of the habit; those of the grenadiers shall have a grenade in red wool cloth; those of the voltigeurs shall be a hunting horn in yellow wool cloth. These ornaments shall be 70mm high (2.5" approximately), and of a proportional width. Collar 5. The collar shall be straight and for the three heights 60, 70, or 80mm (2"4 lines, 2"8 lines. 3" approximately); they shall be 10mm (4 lines) less at the front than at the rear; they are closed with 3 or 4 hooks, following the height, lined with serge cloth and inter-lined with linen. They are stitched wi th "fine-point" stitches along the edge and again in the middle, and edged with a piping in the colour of the cloth of the habit. Epaulettes 6. The habits of the n.c.o.s and soldiers of the fusilier companies, shall be decorated with two epaulettes in wool cloth of the same colour as that of the habit, and placed in the middle of each shoulder, each epaulette ending on one side with an "ecusson" and stitched into the seam of the collar, they are 55mm (2" approximately) at the collar, piping included, narrowing to 45mm (20 lines) in the middle, and 70mm (2.5" approx) at the points of the ecusson; the piping shall be of a dominant colour, the epaulette shall be stitched at its superior end into the collar-shoulder seam, and at the ecusson, attached to a small button placed near the seam of the armhole, and in the middle of the shoulder, 20mm (9 lines) from the pojnt of the middle of the ecusson. This epaulette is backed by a piece of wool cloth in the colour of the habit, and is interlined with a piece of linen, and has three stitched lines along its length, its length shall be proportional to the lenqth of the shoulder. (The n.c.o.s and grenadiers... to be added) Fronts 7. The fronts are decorated with a piping in a distinctive colour, they are cut square ,at the base and hooked closed along their entire length, and measure from the bottom of the collar, for the three heights 350mm (13"), for the second 375mm (14"), and for the first 400mm (15" approximately) long. They measure at the widest part, in an horizontal line, 160mm (6"), piping included, in the middle they are 90mm (3.5"), and at the base, 80mm (3").They are backed throughout their length with wool cloth of the colour of the body of the habit, which allows, if required, the fronts to be crossed over the body. The width of the ecusson, piping included, measured from point to point shall be 75mm (2"9 lines); the upper edge of the front follows exactly the line of the collar, without overlapping it. The point in the middle of the ecusson comes to ,within 10mm of the piping of the epaulette. "This proportion will vary for the grenadiers. There are 13 hooks on the fronts, not including the three on the collar. Each side of the fronts is decorated ,with small buttons, the buttonhole at the top of the front opens at 25mm (11 lines) from the point of the ecusson; the second buttonhole shall be 100, 105, 110mm (3"8 lines, 3"11 lines, 4"1 line approximately) from the first depending on the height of the man, the five others shall be at equal distances such that the final buttonhole is 20mm (9 lines) from the piping of the fronts. A piping of the colour of the turnbacks joins from the bottom of the fronts to the begining of the turnbacks. Sleeves and Cuffs 8. The sleeves are lined with good linen, and are large enough to contain the gilet. Their length is such that they fall precisely to the bend of the wrist. The cuffs of the line infantry, artillery, sappers and veterans, is of the colour regulated for the distinction of the uniform. They are cut 11Omm (4" approximately), high, lined entjrely by the cloth of the sleeve presenting only some 80mm (3"), when folded, they are piped white. The cuff is stitched from the flap, at the opening on the upper part of sleeve, without overlapping the flap, it follows the curve of the sleeve and ends on the underside (at the cut to which the cuff-flap is attached "trans"). The length of the cuff is in proportion to the size of the arm and to the sleeve to which they are fixed, they are stitched so that they cannot be folded down. The cuff is open at the ends of the cuff. There is on the upper side of the opening a flap 11Omm (4") long by 35mm (1"4 lines) wide, piping included. This flap is in the colour of the habit, part passes above the cuff in the middle of the sleeve. The flap is pierced with three buttonholes by means of which the cuff is opened and closed. Three small buttons are placed correspondingly on the lower part of the sleeve, the first at 20mm (9 lines) from the bottom of the cuff, the second 20mm ( 9 lines) from the upper part of the flap, the third in the middle. This flap is decorated with a piping in the colour of the cuff. The centre of the buttonhole is 2Omm (9 lines) from the exterior edge of the cuff. The cuffs of the light infantry are pointed, of the colour of the habit, with a white piping; they are 55mm (2") at the inner part of the curve, and 95mm (3.5") at the point. Pockets and their Flaps. 9. The pockets are under the tails and made in good quality cloth; they open at 55mm (2") under the tails they are l60mm (6") deep and 190mm (7") wide; their exterior form is in the proportion of the model. The exterior flap is only figured by means of a piping; and is of the form of the crescent curve of a circle (two crescents joined trans). The piping is of a dominant colour, and shall be stitched onto the habit without cutting the cloth. The flap is not figured on the side where it apparently joins the habit (neither with stitching nor piping), on this junction; the unper edge of the flap is placed in line with the buttons of the tails; the lower edge of the flap passes underneath the turnbacks. The flap has three points, at each of' these is placed a large button; at a distance of 20mm (9 lines) from the edge, the length of the flap is 240mm (9"), its width, at the point in the middle upto the "junction" shall be 95mm (3.5") .The distance between the points shall be 70mm (2.5"); the width of the flap measured at the three points shall be the same. 10. Proportions of the Gilet. The gilet, with sleeves, shall be cut round, and lined with linen as shall the sleeves; it shall be of white wool cloth, it shall be cut 15mm (7 lines) shorter than the fronts of the habit. The buttonholes shall be made in thread and backed by a little band of linen or "straight cloth" (droit-fil), which shall be the length of the buttons to line the opening of the button-holes. The buttons and button-holes shall number 10, and there shall be an open pocket on the right. There shall be placed on the base of the rear of the gilet, on the left side, between the two seams,a button of cloth, designed to fix the giberne: this button shall be 25mm (1 inch approximately) from the bottom of the gilet. 11. Collar of the gilet. The collar shall be in wool cloth of the same colour as the body of the habit, closed by means of two hooks, it is 15mm,(7 lines) less than that of the habit. 12. Epaulettes of the gilet. There shall be attached to each shoulder a flap of cloth of the colour of the body of the habit lined with cloth of the colour of the gilet, this flap is of equal width at the top and the bottom, shall be 35mm (15 lines) wide, it is cut square at the bottom and stitched into the middle of the shoulder at the armhole seam: the upper part is rounded, it is attached to a little uniform button precisly fixed under the seam of the collar. 13. Sleeves and cuffs. The sleeves and cuffs of the gilet shall be 15mm (6 lines sic.) shorter than those of the habit. the cuffs are of cloth of the colour of the body of the habit, they are open on the exterior seam of the sleeve without flap or piping: the cuff shall be 70mm (2.5 inches) high: the opening is extended 55mm (2 inches) above the cuff, and the second is 25mm (1 inch approximately) from the cuff. (sic) (Note in the French text I have the text does not make sense I assume that the postion of the first button is missing from the original French, it is reasonable to assume that this is positioned at the mid-point on the cuff, if you know different please let me know.) 14.Pockets of the gilet The pockets of the gilet, consist of a flap 35mm (15 lines) wide at a height of 120, 125, or 130mm (4"6 lines, 8 lines, or 10 lines approximately), measured from the base of the front of the gilet, the length of this flap shall be 190mm (7 inches); it comes to 55mm (2 inches approx) from the centre of the buttons. The depth of the pocket on the right shall be 110mm (4 inches approx); the pocket on the left is only simulated. Buttons. I5. The buttons of the habit and the gilet are of brass or white metal, they are solid, and the tail is pierced with two crossed holes rounded at the corners. There are on each habit 8 largedbuttons and 22 small; they are arranged thus, three large on each pocket, two large on the "tail" , seven small on each front, three on each cuff, one on each epaulette there are ten small on the gilet, equally spaced. (Note no mention is made of the buttons, of the gilet, on the shoulders or cuffs of the gilet) Wool trousers. 16. The trousers, un-lined, shall be of white wool tricot, with a large flap, which is attached by five buttonholes to four buttons stitched onto the belt, and to that of the middle of the three buttons which close the belt, it rises 8Omm (3 inches) above the hip not including the belt, it is held up by the braces, there length is such that they fall to within 40mm (l8 lines approx) of the ankle, without either cords or laces. the opening at the bottom of the trousers cut straight or along the seam shall be 135mm (5 inches). Belt of the trousers 17. The belt of the trousers shall be 8Omm (3 inches) wide without bellows or buckle. this belt is "doubled' and carries four buttons to which the braces are fixed: there is on the right of the belt a pocket 110mm (4 inches approx) deep, and 110mm (4 inches anprox) wide; the flap is decorated at the top with a band of linen 55mm (2 inches) and at the sides by a band of linen 25mm (1 inch) wide. Underpants 18. The trousers are not lined, there shall be given the equivalent of underpants in linen of the same length as the trousers, except that the belt of the underpants, which is lined, comes to exactly the hips; it is closed at the front by two buttons (on the belt) and at the rear by means of a cord, the underpants have open flies which are closed by means of two buttons. Linen Trousers 19. This trouser is made of white linen cloth, it rises to the same height as the wool trousers, it falls to 110mm (4 inches approx) from the qround; it is more ample and worn over the gaiters, it has a pocket as for the wool trousers, they are charged to the shoe and linen budgets. Braces 20. The braces are made up of two straps of between 35 and 40mm (15 to l8 lines) wide, stitched crosswise 160mm (6 inches) from the ends which are attached to the rear buttons, these ends are attached to pieces ef linen 80mm (3 inches) long, carrying a buttonhole the ends which attach to the buttons at the front are attached to bands 215mm (8 inches approx) long; this end passes through an iron buckle with three spikes, stitched at the end is a flap, lined with cloth, 80mm (3 inches) long which carries a buttonhole. The Greatcoat Proportions 21. The greatcoat is of beige (or unbleached) serge woolcloth, collar and cuffs the same, it crosses over the chest, overlapping by 11Omm (approx 4 inches), closing by means of five cloth covered buttons, placed vertically 8Omm (3 inches) apart, the buttons are stitched 11Omm (4 inches) from the edge of the coat; the coat comes down to 32Omm (1 foot) from the ground. Cut The cut, there are only two side seams, (the rear) at the height of the shoulders, measures 435mm (16 inches approx) wide, at the small of the back 54Omm (20 inches), and at the bottom 6oOmm (22 inches approx). The side seams have an opening covered by a flap 25mm (1 inch) wide and 215mm (8 inches) long stitched 19Omm (7 inches) under the sleeve hole. The middle back of the coat is cut open to a height of 19Omm (7 inches). The tail-back has two flaps, one with a buttonhole, the other with a button: these flaps are stitched horizontally at the height of the upper button (of the side seam flaps); theyare 16Omm (6 inches) long and 40mm (18 lignes) wide. Front of the coat 22. The front of the coat is cut straight, it is 300mm (11 inches approx) across the chest, 46Omm (17 inches) at the small of the back, and 600mm (22 inches approx) at the bottom, the coat overlaps by 8Omm to 11Omm (3 or 4 inches) , the buttons and buttonholes are backed with a piece of cloth strip (or tape), there is at the bottom front corner a buttonhole, by means of which the fronts can be turned back, it attaches to the lower button of the side seam flap. Collar 23. The collar, is made from and lined with the same material as that of the coat, is 8Omm (3 inches) high at the rear, and 70mm (2 inches 7 lignes) at the front, it is cut square at the front without hooks. Epaulettes 24. There are placed on each shoulder epaulettes of the coating cloth; 4Omm (18 lignes) wide throughout their length, lined with the same cloth, stitched into the armhole and closed by means of a button stitched into the middle of the upper part of the shoulder. Sleeves and Cuffs 25. The sleeves are 54Omm (20inches) wide at the armhole, 43Omm (16 inches approx) at the elbow and 38Omm (14 inches) at the cuffs, the come to 25mm (1 inch) of the wrist; the cuffs are 11Omm (4 inches) and are closed as "boots". Lining and Pockets 26. The sleeves are lined, as is the body of the coat upto the "tail", there is practically horizontally under the left side front a pocket 19Omm (7 inches approx) in its opening and 215mm (8 inches) in its depth. Shakos 27. The form and dimensions of the shakos shall be ultimately determined by our Minister of War: the grenadiers and carabiniers, in place of the bearskin, which they have at present, shall carry a shako taller by 15mm (6 lignes) than those of the fusiliers; they are ornamented with a red plume. The shakos of the voltigeurs is of the same form as that of the fusiliers, but are ornamented by a yellow plume. Bonnet de Police 28. The bonnet de police shall be of cloth the same as that of the habit, and made with the cloth of old uniforms. The edges and seams of the bonnet are decorated with a piping of the distinctive colour.The bonnet is composed of a cylinder forming a band and "turnbacks", the escutcheon and a top. Cylinder or Band 29. The cylinder of the bonnet, which shall be of equal size at the top and the bottom, shall be 120mm (4.5 inches) high. The band is prolonged at the rear and at the sides which can be folded to cover the ears; it shall be 75 to 78mm (2 inches 9 or 10 lignes) deep at the rear up to the ears; at the ears the band is prolonged by two flaps designed to button under the top and having a piping to the end of the flap which terminates squarely, each of these flaps passes through a gap in the seam between the top and the band. They are 80mm (3 inches) wide at the top and 40mm (18 lignes) at the bottom. The right sided flap carries a button, the left a buttonhole; which also allows the flaps to be buttoned under the chin, when the flaps are folded down. The vertical front of the band joins the edge of the escutcheon and is attached by means of a cloth button placed 70mm (2.5 inches approximately) from the bottom of the bonnet. Escutcheon 30. The escutcheon shall be 190 to 210mm (7 to 8 inches approximately) wide at the base. It rises perpendicularly on each side to a height of 65mm (2 inches 5 lignes) and is terminated with a "rounding" l5mm (6 lignes) above the seam joining the band to the top. This escutcheon is 130mm (4 inches 9 lignes) high in the middle; it has the number of the regiment, in numerals cut from wool-cloth in the distinctive colour. These numerals are 35mm high (15 lignes). Top (Calotte) 31. The top of the bonnets are made up of a piece of wool-cloth cut round and 325mm (1 foot) in diameter; they are gathered and stitched, to form a circle of 250mm (9 inches 4 lignes); there is placed on the seam of the top a piping similar to that of the edges which goes under the gathering forming the top. The top is lined with linen; the interior of the bonnet has a "lining" which opens and closes by means of a drawstring. Voltigeurs 32. The uniform of the voltigeurs only differs from the infantry in that the collars and epaulettes are in "chamois", with a piping of blue, the turnbacks have a hunting horn in chamois the shako are as above but less high. Drummers Distinctive marks: Habits 33. The habit of the drummers is made in green wool-cloth, the top of the collar, the cuffs, the pockets, and the edges of the turnbacks are decorated with a dark-green lace, which carries an eagle and a crowned N in green; on a yellow escutcheon conforming to the model. The parts laces horizontally carry Type 1 lace, those vertically Type 2. The habit has no fronts; it closes across the chest by means of 9 large buttons, placed upon 4 double ranks of the lace of Type 1 these double ranks form the buttonholes and terminate with a point; their length measured from the edge of the habit to the point shall be 130mm (4 inches 9 lignes) the ranks are equally spaced; those at the top join the seam of the collar and that of the bottom lies along the bottom edge of the front of the habit. 34. The sleeves are covered with 7 bars of lace stitched in the form of rounded chevrons at equal distances, the top chevron of the sleeve follows the curve of the armhole, shall be 60mm (2 inches 3 lignes) from the seam; the lowest lace comes to 20mm (9 lignes ) from the edge of the cuff, measured from the stitch lines. 35. The buttons are stitched onto the lace, each button of the pockets is on a buttonhole formed by a double lace which ends in a point 70mm (2.5 inches) long. The buttons of the tail are surrounded by an escutcheon, square in form, round the button in a double square; the inferior part of the lace enters into the seams; each of the three sides is 80mm (3 inches) long; the base of the seam in the middle of the tail is decorated with the point of the lace conforming to the type, with a height of 50mm (22 lignes). The three points which form the escutcheon of the buttons and those of the middle of the tail rest on the seams of the tail, that of the middle comes up Smm (2 lignes) more than those of the sides. 36. Our Minister of War, and of the administration of war, are charged, each as far as they are concerned, with the execution of the present decree.