British officers of the 32nd Sikh Pioneers wore a tunic that differed in pattern from that of the Indian officers. The style was simplified in 1902 so that it was no longer possible to distinguish officers’ rank from the pattern of gold lace and braid on the cuffs and collar. The back skirts, however, were more ornate, having white‑edged pointed false pocket flaps with six buttons.

Close examination of the collar and shoulder cords allows us to see the pattern of lace worn by officers of the 32nd Sikh Pioneers. The plaited, or rather twisted, gold shoulder cords have a major’s rank badge of a silver embroidered King’s crown. Simplification of the gold braid on officers’ dress tunics in 1902 meant that there was only a line of braid at the base of the collar and no circular braiding as there had been previously for field officers. The 32nd had dark blue facings with a silver crossed-axes badge on each side of the collar. White piping traces the outer edge of the collar and the edge down the front of the tunic. The inset shows the button used on the front and back of the tunic, while a smaller version fastens the shoulder cords.