Patrol in Undress 1886

This painting by Orlando Norie is unusual in depicting the 10th Hussars out on patrol in undress uniforms. The men wear stable dress and folding caps. The 1883 dress regulations for officers describe the cap as ‘Forage Cap for Active Service and Peace Manoeuvres’. So although it is unusual to see a painting of a cavalry regiment in action like this it was probably more likely that they carried out training in this order of dress.
The officers wear patrol jackets which are trimmed with fur. This distinguished hussars from other cavalry who had patrol jackets without fur. Their breeches were the same as in dress, being blue with gold lace stripes. The undress sabretache and slings were unique to the 10th Hussars. They were the only hussar regiment to have a badge on the otherwise plain black leather sabretache. The slings are described in the 1883 Dress Regulations as: ‘Sword-Belt — 10th Hussars only. Crimson Morocco leather, edged with gold wire, with scroll of the same material down the centre. Slings to match.’ This distinction continued until the abolition of the sabretache in 1902.
The officers’ chargers have the bridles formerly worn in review order, being of brown leather and having a black over white horsehair throat plume. The saddle cover was a complete leopardskin. The rank and file do not have cloaks or valises on their saddles, only brown leather pistol holsters. They are armed with swords on the near side and Martini Henry carbines in buckets on the off side. They wear white leather pouch-belts, although the trumpeter, who rides behind the two officers, does not.

Regimental Details | Uniforms