Officer 1881

The illustration shows the back of the hussar uniform of a mounted officer. One of the main points to be noted is the silver pouch attached to the gold-laced pouch-belt. This style of pouch was of light dragoon pattern, less ornate than some of those worn by regular hussar regiments. The badge in the middle of the pouch is indistinct but is probably the VR cypher with crown above. The crimson and gold barrel sash has been carefully observed by the artist in the way it fastens with a gold toggle and hangs low before looping up to the front. The sword slings are not so well defined and seem to disappear under the jacket to fasten to an unseen waist-belt. These slings are a bit muddled and must be sabretache slings as well. We must assume that at this stage the sabretache is still the plain black leather type. The overalls worn by the officer are an unusual feature at this date. The regular hussar regiments had changed over to breeches and knee boots in 1871, both officers and other ranks. The rank and file of the South Notts Hussars did not wear boots and breeches until after 1891 although the officers had worn them for some years before that.