South African Cord Tunic

[sbintayab]

Hi,
Yesterday, I went through a book called- "The Armed Forces of South Africa.". I think it is an important book for the researchers who are continuing their interest in unit history. In this book, I have found some regiments like- Natal Mounted Police, Basutoland Mounted Rifles, Natal Native Contingent etc. wore cord uniform, like Baker's Horse wore yellow/ brown cord uniform. It will highly appreciated, if anyone help me to give details of cord uniform by text or image or both please.
Cheers
Shams

[peter monahan]

Shams

My guess is that 'cord' is short for 'whipcord', a tough wearing fabric often used in the unifroms of mounted units in particular in the 19th century.  Almost a canvas in some of its manifestations.  Here's a thumbnail sketch of what it was: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipcord

 

[1314]

We wore khaki whipcord jodphurs for equitation training and mounted duries in Rhodesia in the 50's.They were certainly hardwearing,our backsides and thighs suffered accordingly.

[peter monahan]

I know the feeling well!