Officer in Dismounted Review Order c1860

The tunic was introduced in 1855 to replace the tailed coatee. At first it was double breasted but in 1856 they discarded that for single-breasted tunic. The facings were pale buff velvet material, seen on the collar and cuffs. The shape of the cuff can be seen here as having a dip in the top edge that followed the shape of the gold lace chevron sewn on it. The chevron was a double row of regimental lace with a gilt button in the middle. Field officers had an extra line of gold lace across the top of the cuff which did not follow the shape of the chevron. The collar for officers up to the rank of captain had a line of gold lace along the top and rounded front edge. Field officers had an extra line of lace along the bottom edge of the collar. Rank badges were placed on the collar. Cornets a star, Lieutenants a crown, captains a crown and star. Majors, Lt-Cols and Colonels had the same as the three lower ranks but with the extra line of gold lace. The back of the tunic had a vent below the waist with two buttons and three loops of three-quarter inch lace on each skirt. He has a medal for the Indian Mutiny, which has a red and white striped ribbon.
The pouchbelt and waistbelt were the same width, having the S and vellum pattern gold lace with an edging of buff velvet. The pouch was the silver fronted ammunition box with, at this stage, the gilt VR cypher and crown. His sword is slung from gold-laced straps that are an inch and a quarter wide, and the sword knot was of white leather with a gold tassel. There was no sabretache worn at this time. In dismounted dress the trousers had a gold stripe down the outside seam, reaching to the bottom hem. In mounted order they wore trousers with leathered bottoms and leather up the inside leg. The helmet remained the same pattern that was introduced in 1847, being gilt brass with foliated metal decoration on the peak and around the badge. The plume was black for the Queen's Bays. This helmet lasted until 1871, in which year the trousers were discontinued for mounted duties, and breeches and knee boots were worn.

Regimental details | Uniforms