BRITISH HEAVY DRAGOONS 1806-1812

Both Heavy Dragoon and Dragoon Guard regiments wore a red, single breasted tailcoat. The coats lace bands across the chest and chevrons on the cuffs and sleeves. Regiments were distinguished by facing colours shown on the turnbacks, cuffs and collar, and the colour of the lace - either white or yellow.

The large bicorne hat was worn until 1812 when it was replaced by the maned helmet.

Officers wore similar uniforms to their men adding chain or scale epaulettes, and replacing white or yellow braid with silver or gold.

The official issue of white breeches and black knee boots was usually replaced by plain overalls on campaign. These were made from local materials and could include a number of plain colours with grey predominating. In a similar fashion decorated shabraques gave way to plain blankets.

Facing and Lace Colours
1st Regt - Dark Blue/ Gold 3rd Regt- Lt Blue/Gold 4th Regt - Green/Gold
3rd Dragoon Guards - White/Gold 4th Dragoon Guards - Dark Blue/Silver 5th Dragoon Guards - Green/Gold
2nd King’s German Legion - Dark Blue/Gold

Light Dragoons

Until 1812 Light Dragoons wore a dark blue braided dolman. Facing colours were displayed at on the collars and the cuffs. The dolman was braided across the chest in white or yellow, in the same manner as the Hussars. A red and yellow barrel sash was worn.

Headgear was the fur-crested ‘Tarleton’ helmet. Around the base of this was wrapped a fabric ‘turban’. Originally in facing colour this was also often black.

Officers were identified by lacing on the cuffs and replacing white or yellow braid with silver or gold.

The official issue of white breeches (buff for those regiments with buff facings), and black knee boots was usually replaced by plain overalls on campaign. In a similar fashion decorated shabraques gave way to plain blankets.

Facing and Lace Colours
9th Regt - Buff/ Silver 11th Regt- Pale Buff/Silver 12th Regt - Yellow/Silver
13th Regt - Buff/Gold 14th Regt - Orange/Silver 16th Regt - Scarlet/Silver
20th Regt - Yellow/silver

Hussars

Hussars wore a short jacket called a ‘dolman’ and an over jacket trimmed with fur, called a ‘pelisse’. The pelisse was often worn slung over the left shoulder. A red and yellow ‘barrel-sash’ was worn around the waist and the ensemble was finished off with tight breeches and boots. Both the dolman and pelisse were elaborately decorated with many rows of cord loops. Hanging from the left was the ‘sabretache’ - a decorated pouch. Headgear was a fur busby with a red ‘bag’ hanging over the right side.

All British regiments had dark blue dolmans and pelisses. On campaign, breeches and boots were often replaced by overalls and the decorated sabretache with plain black leather version. The elaborate hussar-style shabraque was used by at least two regiments.

Facing, Lace and Pelisse Fur Colours
7th Regt - White/Silver/Light Brown 10th Regt - Yellow/Silver/White 18th Regt - White/Silver/Grey