Uniform at Sobraon 1846

Some regiments wore their full dress shakos with white covers during the First Sikh War of 1845-6 but the 31st had white covered peaked forage caps. They are also, seen here in this illustration by Douglas Anderson, wearing red shell jackets which still required the wearing of the black leather stock under the collar. The collar and round cuffs are buff and the buttons are pewter. The two men on the left are privates of a battalion company, wearing crossed shoulder belts to carry the ammunition pouch and bayonet, and a haversack on the left hip. There is no sign of a water-bottle in the illustration. The belts are kept in place with a white waist-belt, an item not normally worn by British regular regiments but adopted by EIC regiments.
The bugler is wearing light company shoulder wings and is armed with a sword. He has no need of an ammunition pouch or bayonet so his right shoulder belt carries his sword while his haversack hangs on his right hip. The bugle is strung with green cords and tassels.
The officer, on the right has a different pattern shell jacket which has numerous gilt buttons down the front which are ornamental because it actually fastens with hooks and eyes. The collar and pointed cuffs are buff, and on the shoulders are gold cord straps which form a figure at the shoulder and are buttoned near the neck . Over his left shoulder is a cased spy glass but another eye-witness account mention a flask of cold tea being carried. The waistbelt is of black leather and is used to carry the sword.

Uniforms | Regimental Details