Band in Undress 1850


The undress uniform for the musicians in this Ebsworth painting is still similar to that worn in 1838 apart from the shape and colour of the forage cap. It is blue with a yellow or gold zig-zag cap-band, piping and figuring around the button on top. A brass grenade badge is worn on the front. The olivet buttons can be seen on the back of the red stable jackets and their special band swords are slung from white leather waistbelts. The bandsmen were musicians first and soldiers second, unlike the trumpeters. An inspection report of 1818 described the band as excellent and that the musicians were mostly German. One surprising aspect of this interesting painting is the lack of rank badges. There does not appear to be a bandmaster present.


Regimental Details | Band


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


by Stephen Luscombe