Officers 1848

Richard Cannon’s series of books recording the history of British regiments are illustrated with lithographs published by G E Madeley of 3 Wellington Street, Strand. In his Historical Record of the 19th Regiment, published in 1848, this plate appears opposite page 1 and shows two officers of the regiment. They have epaulettes which were worn by battalion company officers, but the ball tuft on their shakos is all white instead of two thirds white over one third red as ordered for battalion companies. The shako is the type introduced in 1844, called the Albert shako. It was half an inch taller than the bell-topped shako and slightly tapered towards the top. The design of the plate on the front was also altered. The coatees worn by these officers is the same as the coatee of 1840 and has gold button loops on the tails. The trousers are the dark Oxford mixture winter trousers worn from 15 Oct to 30 April. In the summer months, grey Tweed trousers were worn in cool climates, white linen in hot climates. They have swords secured in frogs at the end of their white leather shoulder belts. The scabbards are of black leather with gilt mountings. Field officers had brass scabbards, slung from waist-belts.

Regimental Details | Uniforms