Group of four other ranks, probably 13th Hussars, 1894 (c)

Glass negative, W Gregory and Company, 51 Strand, London, 1894(c).

This image comes from a collection of glass plate negatives associated with William Gregory and Company. The negatives depict the British Army, including some members of the colonial forces, 'at home' in Britain during the 1890s.

As well as being intimate portraits of soldiers from this era, the images provide detailed illustrations of uniforms worn during the high point of military tailoring.

The four soldiers have no visible signs of rank but are wearing the other ranks dress tunic which is made of blue cloth with white facings on the collar. The tunics are highly decorated with yellow worsted looping cord and brass ball buttons. They have white leather pouch belts and white gloves.

Dark blue pantaloons with a double white stripe down the outside seam are worn tucked into black riding boots with spurs attached. All four wear the white Foreign Service helmet with spike - the image is possibly taken in India. Swords can be seen attached to the sword slings of the men who stand. The horses haev standard leather military tack including leather wallets and horseshoe cases. Their swords are attached to the saddle.

One of a collection of 280 glass negatives, associated with W Gregory and Company, London, and F G O Stuart, 1892 (c)-1900.