Double breasted padded jacket associated with 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers, 1880 (c)

Khaki-coloured uniform were not standard issue in the 1870s. Most regiments wore serge uniforms in red, blue or green as appropriate. However, the value of less visible clothing was apparent to troops who customised uniforms on campaign, sometimes by boiling white hot-weather drill uniforms with tea leaves or curry. During the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) the 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers fought in a number of actions in the defence of Kabul and the Sherpur cantonment. Contemporary photographs show the 9th wearing quilted, khaki-coloured frock jackets like this one over their blue tunics.