Drum Major and Drill Sergeants, 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, 1895 (c)

Glass negative, W Gregory and Company, 51 Strand, London, 1895 (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.

All three soldiers wear black bearskin caps with gold chin chains and red plumes. Their blue cloth trousers have scarlet stripes down the outside seams, and are worn over black boots. They all have white gloves and swords which hang from the slings of their white belts.

The drum major on the right is wearing a scarlet tunic, with band wings on the shoulders. The tunic has elaborate gold lace loops down the chest and the buttons, grouped in pairs, identify the regiment as the Coldstream Guards. The gold lace collar is decorated with the badge of the garter star. The cuffs of the tunic are round with a four buttoned slash. The shoulder belt is dark blue and edged with gold lace. The decorations that appear on it include the garter star and battle honours, plus his three medals: the Egypt Medal (1882), the Khedive's Star (1882-1891) and a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

The two drill sergeants also wear scarlet tunics with buttons in pairs and gold lace on the collars and cuffs. The garter star is visible on their collars. Their badge of rank shows crossed swords underneath the regimental flag and a crown. This sits on top of their sergeants chevrons. Both carry a swagger stick.

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