The Helmet
The present-day Helmet has been worn
since 1842, replacing a bearskin-crested
Helmet which had been in use since 1832.
It is referred to as the 'Albert' Helmet -
due to the fact that it was introduced
by Prince Albert.
It underwent changes, mainly
in the peak plume and plume spike,
in 1856 and 1881, since which time
it has remained virtually unchanged.
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Helmet Plumes
The Life Guards wear a white Plume
on the helmet, while The Blues and Royals
wear a red Plume on the helmet.
However, Trumpeters of The Life Guards
also wear a red Plume - except when
playing as members of their Regimental Band,
when they wear white Plumes to conform.
The top of the Plume of The Life Guards is traditionally shaped to form an "onion".
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State Tunics
State Tunics (red for The Life Guards,
navy for The Blues And Royals - and Farriers)
have remained the same since the old
‘tail coats’ were abolished in 1856.
The braid has not changed; however, the
buttons were changed for the
amalgamation
of the 1st and 2nd Life Guards (in 1922),
and The Blues And Royals (in 1969).
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Cuirasses
Polished Cuirasses (designed to protect
the chest and upper back) have been worn
since the coronation of King George IV in 1821.
Certain changes have been made, but
they are virtually the sameas at that time.
The old Cuirasses, worn from 1661 to 1730,
were black and were not worn for ceremonial duties, and not worn at all from 1730 to 1820.
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Life
Guards Officer in Mounted Review Order
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IMAGE
TO COME
Mounted
Review Order - Rear View Detail
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Cross Belts & Flask Cords
The Blues always wore Flask Cords of red
on their Cross Belts. They were used
to secure the Flask for powder, whilst the
Cartouche Box carried the cartridges and
lead balls for the carbines and pistols.
The Life Guards did not wear Flask Cords
until 1829, at which time red was adopted
for the 1st Life Guards, and blue for
the 2nd Life Guards.
After the amalgamation of the 1st and
2nd Life Guards was completed (in 1927),
the red Flask Cord of the 1st Life Guards
was chosen for The Life Guards.
It should be pointed out that,
although the amalgamation of the
1st and 2nd Life Guards took place in 1922,
two Squadrons remained 1st Life Guards, and
two Squadrons remained 2nd Life Guards –
wearing uniforms and horse furniture
applicable to their original Regiments.
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Cartouche Box
Visible in the picture above (rear view of
a Warrant Officer of The Blues And Royals)
is the Cartouche Box, which is on the
cross belt, at the rear of the uniform
(see full explanation of the Cross Belt and
Flask Cord in the panel on the left).
The design of the Cartouche Boxes have
not changed - whether for Officers, Musicians,
or rank and file - since 1856.
Along with the introduction of flintlock
weapons (i.e. pistols and carbines),
they were essential for carrying powder
and shot, but with the inception of
percussion weapons (in 1840), and the
breech-loading Martini Henry Carbine,
they became purely ornamental.
The 1st Life Guards Officer Cartouche Box
had a small gilt badge, and the box itself was
also smaller than that of the 2nd Life Guards.
The one worn today is that of the 2nd Life Guards.
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Aiguillettes (Shoulder Cords)
Aiguillettes were first worn in 1829. The name
means ‘needles’ (in French), and these are
the points which hang at the end of the
shoulder cords.
No other Regiments had aiguillettes such as
those of the Household Cavalry, although some
line Regiments have small ‘shoulder knots’.
Their adoption was the order of King George IV,
and they have remained unchanged ever since.
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Officer's State Sword
The present-day Officer’s State Sword is based
on the first pattern used in The Life Guards
from 1832. This type was also adopted by the
2nd Life Guards, and The Royal Horse Guards
(The Blues) in 1856.
Few alterations have taken place – except for
the St Edward’s Crown of Queen Victoria’s reign,
to the Tudor or Imperial State Crown in 1901, and
the disappearance of the Regimental numbers
1 and 2 for the 1st and 2nd Life Guards.
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Pantaloons (or Buff Breeches)
These were originally buff, and coloured with
ochre. The change to white came in 1812.
The Blues wore a variety of colours, even
red from 1763, but changed to buff leather,
ochre-coloured, in 1788. They changed to
white with The Life Guards in 1812
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Jackboots
Jackboots
are so called because the leather was 'jacked', or stiffened. They date
from 1812.
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