Sergeant, Full Dress 1871

The shako from 1869 was similar in size to the previous 1861 type but had a brass chin-chain and red and black braid around the top and bottom. The ball tuft on top was red for Royal regiments from 1871, this was worn by the whole regiment as flank companies had been discontinued 10 years earlier. The badge was a wreathed and crowned garter with the number 50 voided in the centre.
The tunic, introduced in 1868, had pointed cuffs to replace the old slashed cuff. The cuff had a white piped border with white lace inside it. The piping also went around the blue shoulder straps, the lower edge of the collar and down the front. This also decorated the vents on the back skirt of the tunic. After 1871 the cuffs were edged in white piping only, with a trefoil design at the point. The number 50 was embroidered in white on the shoulder strap. Up to 1868 sergeants had white lace chevrons but from that year they had gold stripes sewn close together.
He is armed with an 1867 Enfield rifle modified with the Snider breech to be replaced a few years later with the Martini Henry. He has a cartridge pouch on the front of his waist-belt which is smaller than the men's. Hidden from view at the back of the belt, on his left hip is the sword bayonet, just over 22 inches long.

Uniforms | Regimental Details