16th Queens Lancers Great Coat Victorian Era

[jholl72]

Hi Guys,

I have an opportunity to pick up this coat, but don't know enough about Victorian era British uniforms to know what I am doing. Can anyone offer any help or point me in the right direction. I have already contacted the Regiments museum and will post that reply in my next post.

16th Royal Lancers greatcoat from circa 1861 to 1922, although it has Victorian Crown buttons.

It appears to be a dark blue to black colour. Is this a period coat that you are familiar with.

[jholl72]

Dear Mr. H,

Thank you for your email. I am afraid that we cannot definitely confirm the date of the garment of which you sent pictures but would point out that it is a cavalry cloak not a greatcoat. It is not usual to have a belt on a cavalry cloak. From research in our records, it does not appear that officers’ pips were put on shoulder straps in the 1860s and the two pictured do not seem to be a pair. The pip on attachment 12334 looks modern. The button shown does look to be a 16th The Queen’s Lancers one. The Regiment amalgamated with the 5th Royal Irish Lancers to become the 16th/5th Lancers in 1922.

Best wishes, David Nalson, Volunteer

[jholl72]

Well, I took the plunge again and have the cloak in hand today.

Here are some more detailed pics of it. It certainly matches many features described in the RHA cloak description, except the buttons to hold the gusset closed, there are no buttons there nor is there any evidence to suggest buttons were ever there.

There are the two pockets on the side seams and the inside left breast pocket. The belt has been modified, but still shows a button hole, perhaps the one described above.

The pips are a mismatched pair, the darker one has left an imprint in the strap, indicating it has been there a long time...but may not be original.

The hem of the cloak is unfinished and all buttons have been resewn. There is a stamp on the inside sleeve, Chrisdies...I have attempted a quick search on this and have turned up nothing so far.

The coat is old and shows lots of signs of wear.

So the adventure begins again on the research end of things...anyone know of any good reference books for me to buy?

[jholl72]

more pics

[jholl72]

pics

[jholl72]

buttons

[jholl72]

I have lots more pics if anyone is interested.

[jholl72]

1900 Officers Dress Regulations...

LANCERS 385. Cloak and Cape - Blue cloth, of the same pattern as for Officers of Dragoon Guards and Dragoons, lined with scarlet, white lining in the 17th Lancers. In the 12th Lancers the collar of the cloak is scarlet, and in the 21st Lancers it is lined with French grey.

DRAGOON GUARDS AND DRAGOONS 320. Cloak and Cape - Blue cloth, of the same pattern as for rank and file; to reach the ankles when worn on foot. White shalloon lining in the 2nd, 3rd and 6th Dragoon Guards and 1st and 6th Dragoons; scarlet in other regiments. Collar of cloak of white cloth in the 6th Dragoon Guards, red in the 1st Dragoons, black velvet in the 7th Dragoon Guards, and blue cloth in the ohter regiments. Red lining to the collar in the 1st Dragoon Guards and 2nd Dragoons. Buttons of regimental patterns. Shoulder straps of the same material as the garment; a small button at the top.

ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY 425. Cloak - Blue cloth, with sleeves. Stand-and-fall collar with three black hooks and eyes in front, and three small flat silk buttons at the bottom to fasten the cape. Round loose cuffs, 6 inches deep. A pocket in each side seam outside, and one in the left breast inside. Four buttons down the front. A cloth back-strap, to fasten with a large flat silk button at the top of each pocket; a similar button in front on the right to hold the end of the back-strap when it is not buttoned across behind. White shalloon lining. The cloak to reach within 8 inches of the ground. Shoulder straps of the same material as the garment; a small button of regimental pattern at the top. A gusset behind as described in paragraph 14.

Edited April 30, 2010 by jholl72