Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 3016 - Orders, Medals, Decorations & Militaria
Lot: 385

An Officer's Uniform of the 60th Rifles.
An exceptionally rare and superb example, circa 1825-35, consisting of: Rifle-green Dress jacket with three rows of black buttons and closely-applied loops of black heavy Russia braid in front, the high scarlet collar ornamented with black Russia plumes, sleeves bearing Austrian knots richly figured with narrow black braid almost obscuring the scarlet cuffs, back-seams and edging also massively embellished with black braid decoration; an Undress jacket, fastened with hooks and eyes, with scarlet collar and pointed cuffs, all edged with flat black mohair braid, a false pocket each side in the form of a quadruple crows-foot of heavy Russia braid, and back-seams traced with the same material, forming a trefoil at the shoulders; and a magnificent pair of Levée Dress pantaloons, of black stockinette, the fronts decorated in Hussar style with Austrian knots intricately figured with narrow braid, and black mohair braid stripes, joining across the seat of the garment, edged each side with braid eyes (3)

This uniform was worn by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Richard Plumbe Tempest of Tong and Aughton, 1795 -1881, the son of Colonel John Plumbe Tempest, who commanded the 1st Royal Lancashire Militia for thirty three years. According to Hart's 1855 Army List, Thomas Plumbe Tempest was commissioned in 1815, promoted Lieutenant in 1820, Captain in 1825 and Major in 1831. He went on half pay in 1838, but continued to be promoted, and the 1867 Army List shows him as a retired Colonel, having reached that rank in 1854.

The precise dating of this highly important uniform presents some difficulties. According to Parkyn, black buttons were not worn by the 60th Rifles until 1830. However, the exceptionally high collars on both the Dress and Undress jackets suggest the mid-1820s, and it is conceivable that the Dress jacket was originally made with silver buttons which were later replaced. The Undress jacket is of considerable interest, as examples of this type of uniform are even scarcer than those of the more spectacular Dress jacket, and the description of them in successive editions of Dress Regulations gives few details of their appearance. To judge from Martens's illustrations circa 1850, the plain-fronted style of Undress jacket, as offered in this lot, was superseded at some point by one with cord loops on the fronts.

The most interesting element of this uniform is perhaps the pantaloons. Rifles uniform was based on that of Hussars, and pantaloons and Hessian boots were undoubtedly worn by officers of the Rifle regiments in the early years of their formation. The 1822 and 1826 Dress Regulations prescribe pantaloons as the Full Dress netherwear for Hussars but make no mention of them for Rifles officers. From circa 1831, pantaloons seem to have disappeared from the hussar regiments until re-introduced by the 11th Hussars on their conversion from Light Drapoons in 1840. One would expect, therefore, that even if pantaloons were worn unofficially for levées etc by officers of Rifle regiments, this practice would have ceased after 1830. One can only say that the almost mint condition of this pair of pantaloons suggests that they can seldom, if ever have been worn.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£3,600