Officer in Frockcoat 1894


Officers of the Grenadier Guards in undress are usually depicted in this uniform; frockcoat and peaked forage cap. Strangely the Dress Regulations of 1891 do not mention the frockcoat. The 1900 Dress Regulations mention it, and show photos of it, but only give this description: 'Frock Coat - Blue cloth, braided according to regimental pattern. Shoulder-straps of the same material as the garment, edged with half-inch black mohair braid, except at the base; black netted button at the top.' This description is used, word for word, in the 1891 DR to describe the Frock, except that in 1891 they add 'Badges of rank in gold.'

The chest of the coat is covered with 5 rows of flat black mohair lace with four black olivet buttons on each row. The ends of varying length hang down in the middle. The cuffs are pointed, edged in similar black lace and decorated with elaborate black braiding. The collar is similarly decorated. On the back of the coat the upper part is plain but the back skirt is decorated with black lace that ends half way down with black tassels. This officer has no badges of rank on his shoulders so must be a 2nd Lieutenant. He has an officers' crimson silk net sash on his left shoulder which ended in long tassels on the back right hip. A white leather waist-belt supports his sword. He has white gloves and blue dress trousers with a one and a half inch scarlet stripe.

The forage cap is the straight-sided type that was worn until replaced by the modern style cap c1903. It was made of blue cloth with a one and a half inch band of black braid. The grenade badge is gold wire embroidered. A black patent leather chinstrap is worn above the drooping peak. The edge of the peak has a half inch band of plain gold wire embroidery.


Regimental details | Uniforms


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by Stephen Luscombe