This early Simkin painting of the Regimental Sergeant Major and Private shows the home service uniform and the differences between the most senior NCO and the rank and file. The RSM’s and sergeants’ tunics were scarlet like the officers’ whereas the rank and file had a duller red tunic. This changed in 1873 when all ranks had scarlet tunics. Where the Private has white laced loops on his cuffs, the RSM has gold lace, and around the top of the collar. His rank was shown as four stripes and a crown above the elbow of the right arm. In 1868 the rank was worn below the elbow, with the four stripes inverted and crown above.
Up until 1871 the ammunition was carried in a black pouch supported by the broad white shoulder belt seen here. The small pouch attached to the front of this belt held percussion caps for his muzzle-loading Enfield rifle. The other white pouch on his waist-belt is an expense pouch containing 20 rounds. He has a black knapsack on his back with mess tins attached on top.
