Private 1812


This short lived uniform was worn by the heavy cavalry at Waterloo, although the Queen's Bays did not take part; they were consigned to Scotland at the time. The change from the bicorn hat to the helmet was a radical difference brought about by the Prince Regent's fascination with military uniform. It was very similar to the helmets worn by the dragoons and cuirassiers of the French army. The jacket had broad lace down the front, the hem and short tails. The artist Simkin has depicted it as white with a blue and red central stripe, repeated on the edge of the shabraque. The Dragoon Guards were distinguished by the red lace on the collar. Dragoons had a continuation of the jacket lace on their collar. There were no buttons so the jacket was fastened with hooks and eyes. The wearing of sabretaches by privates of heavy cavalry was also short-lived. The white breeches and jack-boots were only worn for ceremonial occasions; the usual netherwear was grey overalls worn over short boots. The white pouch-belt that was such a feature of cavalry uniform throughout the 19th century had a spring clip to attach the short carbine, hung on the right side.


Regimental details | Uniforms


Armed Forces | Art and Culture | Articles | Biographies | Colonies | Discussion | Glossary | Home | Library | Links | Map Room | Sources and Media | Science and Technology | Search | Student Zone | Timelines | TV & Film | Wargames Library | Search | TV & Film | Wargames



by Stephen Luscombe