Troop Sergeant Major, 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays), 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.

The troop sergeant major in this image wears undress uniform. This comprises a scarlet stable jacket. The cuffs and collar are of regimental colour (white) and the rank chevrons are clearly visible on the right arm. Above these chevrons is a crown, indicating his rank. He wears a dark blue pillbox cap which has a band of gold regimental lace, and a gold button on top. He wears dark blue pantaloons, with a single broad stripe down the outside seam. These are tucked into black leather riding boots with a 'V' shaped notch at the top.

His horse is equipped with standard pattern saddlery, and a pair of leather wallets are fitted to the front of the saddle. These were used to contain a small quantity of items for the personal use of the rider, including items such as spare socks.

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