Hussar Uniforms
Hussar uniforms and equipment in the late 1800’s
In 1834 the guidons and standards then carried by the light cavalry regiments were abolished and were not restored until the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Along with other elements of the British Army’s uniforms and equipment, the development of saddlery accelerated apace during the last thirty years of the nineteenth century.
The personal load carrying equipment carried by the cavalryman in the eighteen-seventies was much like that worn during the Napoleonic Wars; a wide shoulder belt with a cartridge pouch on the rear, a haversack for rations and personal kit and a water canteen.
The first universal sword for the entire cavalry arm was the 1853 pattern which was modified in 1864 to a bowl guard, with pierced Maltese cross, replacing the cast-iron three bar guard (which broke regularly).
It is generally understood that hussar musicians had no particular distinctions beyond the standard tunic and breeches worn by the rest of their regiments. However, this is not altogether true.
Like their counterparts in the other cavalry branches, the main form of undress head wear was the pill box cap. (Officially described as the “Round Forage Cap without peak).
For clarification, the main divisions were Warrant Officers, Staff-Sergeants 1st Class, Staff-Sergeants 2nd Class, Sergeants, corporals and Privates. Late in 1881, Regimental Sergeant-Majors, Bandmasters, and senior specialist ranks (Farriers, Quartermasters etc) were raised to Warrant status.
The style of other ranks busbies closely followed that of officers and the 1858 pattern busby was replaced with the shorter version in 1888.
The last decade of the century saw the Sam Browne system becoming ubiquitous for active service overseas. By the end of the century it was also becoming standard for domestic peace manoeuvres.
For hussars, the first pattern cap (also known as “Torin” or “Austrian” pattern) was also to be dark blue except for the 11th Hussars, whose cap was crimson and the 15th Hussars where it was scarlet. The edges and top were trimmed in gold Russia braid.
