A Private of the 2nd or Royal Northern British Dragoons (Greys), 1812

Aquatint by J C Stadler after Charles Hamilton Smith, 1812.

Dragoons were originally mounted soldiers primarily intended to fight on foot, but by the late 18th century most dragoon regiments had evolved into conventional cavalry units. They were armed with short rifles known as carbines and heavy swords.

From Charles Hamilton Smith's 'Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812', published by Colnaghi and Company, 1812-1815.