Unable to identify this uniform

[dante]

Looking to definitely period date this tunic/frock coat and identify the regiment, any help gratefully received

PS photo who be a bonus 

thanks, Paul 

[Farkas]

Hi Dante,

it’s been possible to narrow it down a bit, maybe a bit more research for it to be confirmed… I may have missed others.

 

First, I think it be looks great from what i can see. The plain collar threw me at first, the collar style didn’t match the cuffs as I expected. The Lacey arm cuff usually have a gold laced collar. However I’m used to seeing patrol jackets not coats. 

The Hussars have loops, the Rifles wear loops too and I now know so did lancers, yeomanry & others in the past

(maybe some still?).

The Rifles often have red on their collars.

My first thought was rifles.

The Army changed their rank method more than once…

collar and cuff lace 1855-1880

shoulder and cuff lace 1882-1902

Various shoulder and cuffs from 1902 

The sleeve - The lace on this one is that of a Captain.

The collar- a rank crown on the collar was used by higher ranks and, to the best of my knowledge, used for a Lieutenant on collars from 1855 up until1880 but has not been used for ranking Captain.

The collar with red piping is not common.

I only found 2 or maybe 3.

 

The Natal Hussars

 

The 1st Surrey Rifles (possible match)

 

The Worcestershire Yeomanry.

(Later : The Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars)

 

 

 

The Worcestershire Yeomanry not only used this style of frock, they used this collar and I just found out they also used a ‘Crown’ as their regimental insignia on uniforms. Having already settled on the Worcestershires, then finding out this…That clinched it for me.
In my opinion- The crown on the collar is not a rank one but their regimental one.

 

My best guess…
I think this frock coat would have belonged to a Captain of the Worcestershire Yeomanry and it dates between 1871-1892.

tony 🍻

 

PS.

Are you are lucky enough to be the owner of this?

If so, can we see more pictures please!

[Graf]

On 03/07/2023 at 08:46, Farkas said:

Hi Dante,

it’s been possible to narrow it down a bit, maybe a bit more research for it to be confirmed… I may have missed others.

 

First, I think it be looks great from what i can see. The plain collar threw me at first, the collar style didn’t match the cuffs as I expected. The Lacey arm cuff usually have a gold laced collar. However I’m used to seeing patrol jackets not coats. 

The Hussars have loops, the Rifles wear loops too and I now know so did lancers, yeomanry & others in the past

(maybe some still?).

The Rifles often have red on their collars.

My first thought was rifles.

The Army changed their rank method more than once…

collar and cuff lace 1855-1880

shoulder and cuff lace 1882-1902

Various shoulder and cuffs from 1902 

The sleeve - The lace on this one is that of a Captain.

The collar- a rank crown on the collar was used by higher ranks and, to the best of my knowledge, used for a Lieutenant on collars from 1855 up until1880 but has not been used for ranking Captain.

The collar with red piping is not common.

I only found 2 or maybe 3.

 

The Natal Hussars

 

The 1st Surrey Rifles (possible match)

 

The Worcestershire Yeomanry.

(Later : The Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars)

 

 

 

The Worcestershire Yeomanry not only used this style of frock, they used this collar and I just found out they also used a ‘Crown’ as their regimental insignia on uniforms. Having already settled on the Worcestershires, then finding out this…That clinched it for me.
In my opinion- The crown on the collar is not a rank one but their regimental one.

 

My best guess…
I think this frock coat would have belonged to a Captain of the Worcestershire Yeomanry and it dates between 1871-1892.

tony 🍻

 

PS.

Are you are lucky enough to be the owner of this?

If so, can we see more pictures please!

Well Done Tony

[dante]

Thanks Tony, awesome research, the epaulette buttons are Artillery in gold, which doesn't add up....some people have identified as volunteer artillery, but if it was then surely silver buttons?

What other pictures are you wanting, happy to oblige   

[Farkas]

Hmmm...

i thought i’d nailed it but seems not yet.

 

There was among many others a Worcestershire Artillery Volunteers , totally separate from the Yeomanry, they would have been in the Royal Garrison Artillery in the late 1800’s. The RGA V was not a mounted unit. Though I’ve just learned some (eg drivers) dressed as mounted, I don’t think it would have been of this rifles style. As you say, the volunteers had white metal buttons etc.

 

There was an Artillery section amongst the Worcestershire Yeomanry as early as 1838.

However I believe there were rifle and artillery in other Yeomanry units so that doesn’t prove anything yet.

 

 

I’m still pinning my hopes on the Worcestershire link because of that collar and crown but now the Artillery buttons do raise questions...

 

The photos i fancied seeing were...

the lining

Inside/back of the collar 

the epaulettes

any tailors label

 

I still do 😊 but now it’s all about the buttons. Are they Queen Victoria Crowns, I assumed they were but maybe not? Can you somehow get pics of the buttons backs for me pls, we might get a date for them (at least) from that.

Selfishly I’m almost hoping the buttons are post 1922. 👇

 

Last but not least, often an officers kit has a name label tucked away in a pocket 🤞

 

tony 🍻

zzz

 

[Graf]

nice work Tony