Officer in Full Dress c1890

The lieutenant in this photo carries a white helmet for service in hot climates. It has the same badge as the one worn on the blue home service helmet, and a gilt spike on top with vents around the base. The gilt chin chain has a buff leather backing. His dress uniform appears to have white facings which were authorised from 1881 when all English non-Royal regiments were required to have white. However the Buffs were allowed to colour their facings from 1887 with pipeclay so it may be that officers, who had to buy their own uniform, were allowed to instruct their tailor to supply the tunic etc with buff facings. The collar is edged with gold lace and has collar badges which at this stage were the White Horse of Kent with the motto INVICTA in gold underneath. This was changed back to the dragon in 1894. The cuffs are decorated with gold lace and braid for subalterns. Captains had the same braiding but two rows of lace. His shoulder sash is gold and crimson striped; the full dress sash for formal and state occasions. The gold and crimson waistbelt was also worn for such occasions.

Uniforms | Regimental Details