Officer 1826


Watercolour by D Alexander used as a basis for a print by del Vecchio, part of a series published between 1824 and 1828. The figures are almost caricatures inspired by the style of uniform which achieved the height of showiness and impracticality in the mid 1820s. The shako was tall and bell-topped with a huge plume. The jacket was tight-fitting with a high collar and long tails. The yellow facings cover the officer's chest, but the cuffs are small. Some regiments displayed a profusion of gold or silver lace across the plastron front but the 34th had no lace on the jacket. There is a gorget at his throat that is silver with a gilt device. There is no epaulette on his left shoulder but there would be one on his right, of silver lace and bullion. The trousers are by this time baggy cossacks that strap under the instep of his short boots. The sword is straight for battalion company officers, but curved for the light company.


Uniforms | Regimental Details


Armed Forces | Art and Culture | Articles | Biographies | Colonies | Discussion | Glossary | Home | Library | Links | Map Room | Sources and Media | Science and Technology | Search | Student Zone | Timelines | TV & Film | Wargames


by Stephen Luscombe