Drumhorse and Musicians 1866

This copy of Ebsworth's painting of the 8th Hussars musicians shows the uniforms worn 16 years after Band 1850. The regiment had returned to the UK in 1864, and in 1866 were stationed in Aldershot. The drumhorse in the middle has red drum banners which look as if they display the Crimean battle honours. There is no indication of a shabraque. The old drum banners can be seen on the left of the picture, being blue with no battle honours.
The braiding on the tunics of the musicians is red and yellow, but Band Master Miller wears officer's uniform with gold braid. He has no shabraque and has an undress pouch and sabretache which are of black leather and ornamented with the harp and crown badge. This is the only evidence of such items of officer's undress. Later photos show officers of the 8th wearing a plain black sabretache. The band master's busby has a tall plume, and he carries a trumpet in his right hand.
The RSM, standing near the band master, has gold braid on his tunic, and four inverted chevrons on his sleeve. The trumpeter on the right is in undress, with stable jacket and red pillbox cap. His braiding is also red and yellow. His pouch has a brass badge, although the trumpet major on the right has no apparent badge. This mounted figure is wearing a tunic braided with red and yellow worsted cord, although gold cord would be more in keeping with his rank. He has a black sheepskin saddle cover with a pistol holster showing. Those men who did not carry a carbine were armed with pistols or revolvers.

Regimental details | Drumhorses and Musicians