Officer in Undress 1867


This early photo of an officer of the 20th Hussars shows the leathered trousers which were worn for mounted duty before 1871 when breeches and knee boots were adopted. The blue frockcoat is different in style from those seen in the group photo of 1866. It had lapels so that we can see the mess waistcoat worn underneath. This would be crimson with gold braid edges. We cannot see much of the frockcoat apart from the black silk braiding on the sleeve formed into a very ornate pattern. Pill-box caps worn in this period were not as well-formed as the later style. The top is domed so that the gold purl button on top looks like the bobble of a woolly hat. There is a circular pattern of gold braid around the button which covers most of the blue cloth, and around the top edge of the cap.


Regimental Details | Uniforms


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by Stephen Luscombe