Officers in Undress, 1862

Two types of undress uniform can be seen in this 1862 photo. The longer garment is the dark blue frock coat which was fastened to the neck with hooks and eyes. It was decorated with six flat braided loops across the chest that had four olivets on each loop. The collar and cuffs were embellished with an Austrian knot and thin black braid, and the back of the coat had broad and narrow braid with olivets and tassels. Rank was not shown on the frockcoat for officers below field rank. One officer has embroidered crown badges on his collar; he is the CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Valentine Baker, standing in the middle.
The other garment worn by two officers to the right of the picture, is a blue patrol jacket, not mentioned in the 1861 or the 1864 Dress Regulations, which is edged with black fur like the old pelisse, and has four rows of black cord across the chest, fastening the jacket with olivets, but probably hooks and eyes as well. The sleeves are very full, allowing freedom of movement and making the jacket a very comfortable winter item. The two officers on the right and left have blue trousers with double gold stripes down the outside, having leathered bottoms and inside leg. The Officer seated on the step has dismounted trousers which are unleathered. The pill-box cap is blue with gold cap-band and Russia braid around the top edge. The circular pattern of braid on the top is arranged around a purl button in the middle. Other named officers are Captain Lord Ralph Kerr on the left, who became CO in 1875, and honorary Major R J Elrington standing at the back in a bowler hat, who was regimental paymaster from 1849 until his death in 1869.

Regimental Details | Uniforms