This interesting group photo shows a variety of outfits worn by the 9th Lancers on the Afghan campaign of 1879-80. Two types of jacket predominate, a blue serge frock that buttons down the front with five brass buttons, and a pale quilted double-breasted jacket. They all wear blue breeches with a double yellow stripe down the side, either with boots or puttees, seen for the first time on British troops. A sergeant sitting at the front has a different type of jacket, pale with a central method of fastening. He has a dark cord, probably yellow, round his neck and is probably a lanyard for his pistol.
Many of them have white leather pouch-belts and most of them wear the pill-box forage cap on the right side of the head. These are laced and braided with gold. The other type of headgear is the white helmet with a brass spike on top and the chin-chain looped up to the upper part of the helmet. For active service in Afghanistan they would be expected to have khaki covered helmets without a spike.
The figure on the left seems to be an officer, but close inspection of his right sleeve reveals badges of some type which indicate that he is a 1st Class staff NCO. Before 1881 the RSM had four inverted chevrons and a crown (after 1881 just a crown). The central figure seated in the group has four inverted chevrons and a crown so is probably the RSM, with the Quartermaster Sergeant seated on his right hand. Other badges can be seen on the right of the photo; a farrier sergeant, and a rough rider, both in blue serge frocks.
