Lieutenant-Colonel 1854


The mounted officer in dress uniform is Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Cavendish Bentinck who commanded the 7th Dragoon Guards from 1854 to 1857. He is wearing the 1847 helmet which was a more decorated version of the helmet worn by today's Household Cavalry. It was gilt and had a falling black plume; at this stage all the heavy cavalry regiments had black plumes, it was not until 1855 that the black and white plume was ordered for the 7th DG. His coatee, with its gold epaulettes and gold embroidered collar and cuffs, was in its last year of wear before the introduction of the tunic in 1855. Also making their last appearance were the heavily laced and embroidered sabretache and pouch. His horse furniture consists of a black sheepskin with scarlet scalloped edge. Although he is in dress uniform, with gold stripe on the trousers and gold belts, he does not have the dress shabraque. The attractive bridle is carefully painted by Fernley, with brown leather straps and brass head chain and steel chain bridoon.

In the background the men are on parade with the Regimental Sergeant-Major in front, and a trumpeter with a white plume on his helmet. A guard stands dismounted at the gate on the right of the painting. He is wearing a forage cap and stable jacket.


Regiment | Uniforms


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by Stephen Luscombe