Pioneer, Private and Officer c1890

The Northumberland Fusiliers were ordered to have white facings after the re-titling of the line regiments in 1881. Previously they had had green facings, since at least 1742, and the regiment resented the white facings imposed on them. However the authorities relented in 1899, and the gosling green facings were restored.
Fusilier regiments were allowed to wear fur caps from 1871 but at first they were of black racoon skin. The officers had shorter squarer fur caps similar to those of the men as worn by John Granville Harkness. The gilt grenade badge was worn on the front of the cap and the red over white plume was worn on the left side. The Northumberland Fusiliers were the only fusilier regiment to have a plume, until 1892 when different colour plumes were allocated to the other fusilier regiments. The red and white plume had been worn by the regiment since 1829. Around 1886 the officers' bearskins had assumed a taller shape more like those worn in the guards regiments.
The pioneer on the left is bearded and wears a white leather apron decorated by a brass grenade badge with red cloth backing. His sleeve badge is white crossed axes with a grenade above. He has white leather gauntlets and holds a pickaxe. The pioneers marched at the front of the regiment.
The private in the middle is in review order, as are the two others. He has no equipment or pouches and carries his rifle in a different way to the other infantry regiments. Rather than resting on his shoulder at the slope, he holds the butt with the left arm extended. His tunic is scarlet with white facings. There are brass grenade badges on the collar, and the cuffs are 'jampot' shaped, a style that was replaced by a pointed cuff c1902. The shoulder straps are scarlet with white embroidered NF and grenade badge.

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