Officers and Other Ranks 1843


The heavy cavalry helmet was changed in 1843 from the brass crested type to the one seen here, which has a flowing horsehair mane, reminiscent of the style worn in the Waterloo period. A similar helmet worn in the 4th DG can be seen here. This helmet was short-lived, being replaced in 1847 by the more Prussian Albert helmet with a plume falling from a central stem. The uniforms worn in this useful painting are the long-tailed scarlet coatee with black velvet facings. The officers, in the middle have gold epaulettes, undress white pouchbelts, and plain black leather sabretaches. The other ranks, behind, have solid brass shoulder scales, and no sabretaches. The figure in front is the trumpeter with a white plume on his helmet. He has a yellow aiguillette on his left shoulder. An interesting point is the fact that the officers have a red trouser stripe and the other ranks have a yellow stripe. Although the trumpeter has a red stripe. In review order the trumpeter and other ranks would be in this uniform but the officers would have their gold laced pouchbelt, dress sabretache, and shabraque. The painting is titled 'The Bays, Manchester' by John Fernley Junior in the collection of the Queen's Dragoon Guards Heritage Trust. The problem with the title is that the regiment was based in Ireland from 1843 to 1847. They were not in Manchester until 1850, and before that, 1830.


Regimental details | Uniforms


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by Stephen Luscombe