Officer 1823


The Dress Regulations of 1822 ordered the light dragoon uniform to be more ornate. The 3 inch high collar was to be edged in narrow silver French braid with a border of silver Russia braid figuring. The cuffs were to be treated in the same way. The orange lapels were to extend from the front seam of the arm-hole down to the waist where it would be 5 inches across. There were to be 9 buttons on each side with one more further towards the upper extremity. The tails of the coat were to be 7 inches long with turn-backs and linings of the facing colour. Orange edging on the tail slash flaps and 3 buttons each side. A silver bullion fringe at the top of the tail, just below the gold and crimson girdle. The silver epaulettes had plain lace on the top side with no rank badges for captains and below. Majors had a gold star, lieut-colonels had a crown, and colonels had both crown and star. In 1829 the blue jacket was changed to dispense with the orange lapels. That pattern was worn until 1832 when they were required to wear scarlet jackets.

The trousers were baggy, called cossacks, and were sky blue, not grey as seen here. The shako at this stage was bell-topped, 8 inches high, having a silver oakleaf pattern lace on the top edge. The centre badge had an embroidered GR on black velvet surrounded by a garter and around that, a wreath of roses, thistles and shamrocks. Leading up from this was a silver bullion chain loop that ended at a gold boss just below the plume. This boss had a black velvet centre with XIV in silver embroidery. The central device was replaced in 1829 by a metal badge in the shape of a Maltese cross. The plume was described in the 1822 regulations as a drooping red and white hair plume, 23 inches long, although the more elegant cocks feathers are shown here.


Regimental Details | Uniforms


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by Stephen Luscombe