This copy of a contemporary watercolour is good evidence of the undress uniform worn by British officers serving in the Bengal Light Cavalry. It is one of three copies made by Godfrey Brennen from watercolours owned by Miss Doris Wheler, granddaughter of Sir Francis Wheler who served in the 2nd BLC.
The large blue forage cap has a red button in the middle of the top, and silver chin scales worn over the peak. The black leather peak is edged with silver. His French grey stable jacket has red facings which are described as orange in the regulations. The red is also seen here as piping following the back seams and on the sleeves. There is silver lace following the hem and down each side of the front, and on the collar and pointed cuff. There seem to be two types of undress jacket at this time, the other one being dark blue to match the trousers. French grey was adopted for dress jackets in 1809.
His dark blue trousers are the same pattern as the dress trousers but have leather reinforcing the inside leg and around the ankles. The broad silver lace down the outside is edged with red. He has a white waist belt supporting a curved sword and plain black leather sabretache which is fixed to the sword scabbard to prevent it flying freely when mounted.
