Unidentified red uniform - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

lettman · #1 05-09-23, 01:20 AM

Friends of mine have been unable to identify their recently acquired pictured uniform. I suspect that it might be a late 18th/early 19th C officer's uniform of an Indian regiment, such as the 2nd Madras NI, which had green facings and gold lace. However, I'd like to see what members think.

Home Guard · #2 05-09-23, 01:44 AM

This basic style of uniform, - cut away with lapels turned back was worn form the 1770's up until around the mid-1790s when the same style was worn but no longer cut away.

I have several books on Indian army uniforms of the time, but cannot identify the regiment by the button.

Terry

cbuehler · #3 05-09-23, 02:40 AM

I rather think it more likely to be a Livery coat circa turn of the 20th century. It is certainly not the 2nd Madras NI or any other Indian Army uniform.
The coat and waistcoat appear to have some machine sewing (please check on this or show a closeup) and the overall condition would certainly preclude anything much earlier. Even if it does have hand sewing throughout, this was still seen in the late 19th and early 20th C. Beautiful engraved buttons!

CB

btns · #4 05-09-23, 09:58 AM

Can I have a side view of a button's back?

lettman · #5 05-09-23, 10:51 PM

Unfortunately these are the only photos I have -- the uniform isn't mine. I'll contact the owner with your request.

btns · #6 06-09-23, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lettman

Unfortunately these are the only photos I have -- the uniform isn't mine. I'll contact the owner with your request.

Unlike uniforms, badges and sellers, buttons do not lie.

lettman · #7 07-09-23, 07:09 AM

Images of buttons, sent by the owner.

btns · #8 07-09-23, 09:09 AM

Thank you. They are one-piece buttons and the backmark seems erased.
I am unable to make out the original text.
Is the owner able to read one or more words?

cbuehler · #9 07-09-23, 02:06 PM

There does not appear to be lettering, but an impressed design around the back of the button. Very nice privately procured Livery buttons, much the same as Hunt buttons.
There is nothing about this coat that is military. Livery uniforms of a vast variety were common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and they usually had 18th century styling such as this.

CB

btns · #10 07-09-23, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbuehler

There does not appear to be lettering, but an impressed design around the back of the button. Very nice privately procured Livery buttons, much the same as Hunt buttons.
There is nothing about this coat that is military. Livery uniforms of a vast variety were common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and they usually had 18th century styling such as this.

CB

I have never seen a livery button with a number on it.
The buttons have been hand engraved, using flat, gilded buttons.
It may have been the engraver who removed the back marks.

No comments from my end on the coat itself. My interest is in buttons only.