Officer 1812

The artist Hamilton Smith produced this print in his series of uniforms of the 1812 period. It was an important date because the Light Dragoon uniform was radically transformed in 1811 so that the old expensive braided jacket was replaced by the plainer blue and orange pattern shown here. There was no lace or braid on the new jacket but the buttons were, for the 14th Light Dragoon, silver. He has silver epaulettes that appear to have a gold device which may be his rank badge. Only senior officers displayed their rank and the artist has titled this as being a Lieutenant-Colonel of the 14th. He has a pouch-belt that has silver chains and pickers, the first appearance of this type of belt that was worn for the next 200 years by cavalry officers. It is silver laced on orange cloth which covers a morocco leather strap. The other new development was the shako which was influenced by the Continental armies. It was of black beaver with silver lace and chin chain. The cords are gold and crimson with gold tassels which loop under his right arm to attach to the left shoulder. The rather short plume is white over red and has a gold boss at the base. On campaign grey trousers were worn but this officer is in dress uniform with white breeches and Hessian boots. His sword belt is of similar pattern to his pouch-belt and he has a dress sabretache attached to slings on the belt. The trooper in the background is wearing the campaign trousers with an orange stripe and the short tails of the jacket can just be seen. The officer's coat tails can be seen below his gold and crimson waist girdle. They have orange turn-backs.

Regimental Details | Uniforms