The change from the old jacket with tails to the doublet occurred in 1855 but the first pattern was unsatisfactory and was changed in 1856. The first pattern worn by the drummers was white and double breasted as seen in the photo NCOs 1856. The figure on the right of the photo, although it is over exposed, shows a white doublet with green facings and wings. The drummer in this painting wears the revised version of the doublet which was red and single-breasted. The lace is indistinct but is probably the tri-coloured thistle pattern as seen in the Raffet sketches of 1847. In 1866 drummers were ordered to change to a repeating red crown pattern lace. The drum is suspended on a drum carriage that is slung over the right shoulder, having a large buckle and slide to adjust it.
A narrower white belt is worn around the waist to support the small drummer’s sword. His sporran can be seen behind the drum. This would normally be removed to prevent damage from the drum. The drummer has a medal for the Indian Mutiny, and is in marching order with a covered mess tin on top of his knapsack. The painting is by Orlando Norie and comes from the Brown Digital Repository.
