#discovery museum

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Officer's Patrol Jacket of the Northumberland (Hussars) Yeomanry Cavalry from the British Empire dated to 1880 on display at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, England

Patrol jackets were first introduced in 1868 and was designed to be worn by officers in quarters, on leave or in town when not on duty. They were worn without any sword belts or swords and guns as well as not having any regimental insignia and ranks badges. These uniforms were inspired by the uniforms of French officers that the British fought alongside in the Crimean War during the 1850's.

Photographs taken by myself 2024

[gloomboo-blog]

this is the rare $100 bill of the Goodnight Moon Room

reblog for many wonderful goodnights from the moon and to earn many Good monies for the next 100 years

[barbucomedie]

"Emsdorf" Helmet of the 15th (The King's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons from the British Empire dated between 1770 - 1784 on display at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, England

These helmets were named after the battle of 1769 in Germany during the Seven Years War. During the battle the 15th were part of a coalition force with Hanover and Hesse-Kessel against the French forces. During the battle the 15th took the brunt of the casualties presumably during the capture of 16 French colours (battle flags).

These styles of helmets replaced the tricorns worn by British cavalry, specifically light cavalry. They were designed to replicate neo-classical designs of Roman helmets. This style would evolve into the standard cavalry helmet seen in much of the 19th century.

Photographs taken by myself 2024

[barbucomedie]

Cuirassier Sword from the First French Empire dated to 1812 on display at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, England

This sword was collected from the battlefield of Waterloo in 1815 where the French army used their heavy cuirassiers to try and break the allied lines of infantry. Broad swords like this would deal brutal slashing damage from horseback and during a charge. However most of the cavalry were stopped by infantry squares that halted their advance.

Photographs taken by myself 2024

[barbucomedie]

Dress Uniform of the 15th (The King's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Hussars) from the British Empire dated to 1830 on display at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, England

Many British cavalry regiments were inlfuenced by the hussar and lancer regiments they encountered in the French and Austrian armies. Because of this many converted to such regiments for the fashion. The 15th in particular fought alongside Austrian hussars at the battle of Villiers-en-Cauchie in 1794 during the French Revolution.

Such fashion choices made these regiments attractive to the British upper class as they could show off their wealth and status. Becasue of this, regiments like the 15th and yeomanry regiments, would be involved in violently surppressing groups campaigning for equal rights. An example of this was the violent attacks at the Peterloo Massacre in 1819 where the 15th were part of a charge against a crowd of civilians calling for democratic reform.

Photographs taken by myself 2024

[barbucomedie]

1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Sword of the 15th (The King's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Hussars) from the British Empire dated to the 19th Century on display at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, England

This sword was used at the battle of Sahagun in Spain where the 15th were part of the French defeat in 1808. This battle was famous for the 15th as they defeated two French cavlary regiments during the battle. They charged over the frozen field shouting "Emsdorf and Victory!" (Emsdorf was a previous victory in 1760) and they ended up charging through the chasseurs and into the regiemnt of dragoons behind them. Many French cavalry were taken prisoner by the 15th after the battle.

Pattern 1796 swords were the primary weapon for light cavalry in the British army until 1821. The heavy curved blade was influenced by cavalry swords from eastern Europe. It was brutal in close combat with it often being compared to a bacon slicer by some soldiers. British training focused on cutting the face or arms to disable soldiers and leave horrific wounds.

Photographs taken by myself 2024

[barbucomedie]

Officer's Shako of the Northumberland and Newcastle Volunteer Cavalry from the British Empire dated to 1854 on display at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, England

This shako belonged to Captain GY Heath of Newcastle and was most likely a landowner or businessman. They made up the majority of members of militia and yeomanry regiments like the Northumberland and Newcastle Volunteer Cavalry. In the economical unrest that followed the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, many yeomanry regiments were founded by landowners and businessmen to violently surppress riots and protests for better rights and working conditions.

During the mid 19th century a riding school was built in Newcastle and the regiments annual training became a social event for the upper classes.

Photographs taken by myself 2024

[barbucomedie]

Shako of the 13th Light Dragoons from the British Empire dated to 1854 on display at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, England

This was worn by Cornet DJ Chamberlayne who survived the doomed Charge of the Light Brigade. His horse was shot out from underneath him and so hie grabbed his saddle back and carried it over his head. The Russians apparently mistook him for a pillaging Cossack and let him be thus saving his life.

Photographs taken by myself 2024