Officer 1792


At around this time the artist Edward Dayes and the printmaker T Kirk produced a set of prints showing the uniforms of most of the regiments of Foot. This one of an officer of the 4th King's Own is unusual because it shows a coat that is devoid of lace. The regiment had blue facings because of their Royal distinction but they had silver lace and buttons up until 1807 when they changed to gold lace. The lapels and cuffs have silver buttons but appear to have blue silk twists instead of lace for decoration. At this stage the coat is long and fixes with hooks and eyes near the top, opening out to show a white waistcoat and crimson sash of office.

He has one silver epaulette on his right shoulder. By order of 1791 only field officers were to wear two epaulettes in battalion companies but all officers of flank companies wore two. He has a sword with a gold hilt. This is also a stipulation of the 1791 regulations; before that silver laced regiments had everything silver, even sword hilts. The gorget should also be gilt at this stage but appears to be silver here. Before 1786 officers carried spontoons but they were discontinued after that date.

This officer's hair is powdered, but after 1795 the practice was ordered to stop. His hat is black with a silver laced edge and a black plume attached to a black silk rosette with a silver button in the middle. The hat is still a tricorn but is almost flattened out to bicorn shape, with small silver tassels at the corners. It was the fashion to wear them at a steep angle.


Uniforms | Regimental Details


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by Stephen Luscombe