Light Company Officer’s Coatee 1840

The coatee worn by the infantry from 1829 changed little until 1855 when it was replaced by the tunic. It was a close-fitting garment, waist-length in front, having long tails at the back reaching half way down the thigh. This exhibit at the regimental museum is an early type with a high collar that shows a half inch of green facing above and below the gold lace button loops. Later examples have a lower collar so that no green cloth appears except at the back of the collar. The cuffs are plain green but have four gold buttons and loops as a slash. Down the front of the coatee are 20 buttons in two rows, spaced in pairs. There was no lace across the chest for officers but the rank-and-file had white button loops, sergeants had gold. The back of the coat was decorated below the waist, by vertical false pockets described as a ‘slashed flap on the skirt, with four loops and large buttons’. These were gold loops that were discontinued by the time of the Crimean War.
The broad white sword belt, worn by officers who were not mounted on parade, has the 1840 belt-plate, and chain and whistle attached to a lion’s head boss. On the shoulders are the impressive light company wings. These are on red cloth and are made up of small gilt chains. Where the shoulder strap meets the wing there is a raised gilt boss on which is the silver stringed bugle badge. The edges are fringed with gold bullion. The battalion company officers and field officers had gold epaulettes with bullion of varying sizes to show rank. The red cords and tassels are the ends of the waist sash. This type of sash was peculiar to light company officers.

Regimental Details | Uniforms