Band Sergeant c1860

This is the full dress band uniform except for the pill box cap which is worn in place of the 1855 shako. The tunic is white with collar and cuffs in the facing colour, which for the 34th was yellow. The colours appear dark because of the photographic process at that time. In the early part of the century bandsmen wore reverse colour coats, but in the 1820s white coats made an appearance and a directive dated 1830 ordered all regimental bands to be dressed in white. These white bands lasted until 1871 when they were ordered to wear red tunics.
This tunic also has wings on the end of the shoulder straps which are also yellow, with gold lace stripes and edges. Other ranks would have had white lace on the wings. The rank chevrons on his right arm are of gold lace on yellow backing cloth. The tunic is edged with red piping down the front, round the top of the collar, the cuffs and the cuff flaps. The white cap has a red cap band and a special band badge rather than the number 34 worn by the rest of the regiment.
His sword is slung cavalry style to drag on the ground but bandsmen need both hands for their instruments so it was nearly always hooked up. His sword belt is worn over the tunic and has a brass plate fastener. Since the sword was just for show it was decided to change to a more ornamental short sword in 1861. This photo was taken in India so the changes would have taken longer to happen. The sergeant wears three medals for the Crimean War. His beard is also evidence that he is a veteran of that conflict.

Regimental Band | Regimental details