Band c1845

This print is not in the Ogilvy Trust's Index to British Military Costume Prints, but it looks like the work of M A Hayes who produced drawings for Spooner's Oblong Series. It shows the 8th Hussars on the march through a village with the band at the front. The regiment were stationed in England until 1844 when they were posted to Ireland. This may show them marching to their new station in Ireland. It is certainly after 1844 at which time they discarded their shakos in favour of the fur busbie.
They are in marching order with slung blue pelisses and plain black leather sabretaches. The plumes have been removed from the busbies and the points of the shabraques have been turned up, either to prevent chafing on the horses legs, or to protect the embroidery from the dust and wet. They are on grey horses, a common feature of cavalry bandsmen and trumpeters in this period. The trombone player in the foreground has the reins looped over his arm but this is not the case for the man next to him. Playing an instrument while riding a horse is a skill that can be learned as can be seen in the mounted band of the Household Cavalry today.

Regimental details | Drumhorses and Musicians