In 1742 the Duke of Cumberland commissioned the publication of ‘The Cloathing Book’ showing the uniforms worn by private soldiers of all the regiments of Horse and Foot. This one is titled ‘King’s Own Regiment of Horse’ with a mounted figure firing a pistol. The basic drawing was used for the Royal Horse Guards and the 5th Regiment of Horse (4th Dragoon Guards) whereas the other regiments of Horse showed the figures drawing their sword. The regiments of horse differ from the regiments of dragoons in that the dragoons have only one shoulder belt, on the left shoulder, to support the ammunition pouch. They carry their swords slung from a waist-belt. They also have their carbines on their back, slung on the right shoulder.
The seven regiments of horse (there were no dragoon guards until 1746) all have a broad buff leather belt on both shoulders with a flask cord down the middle of the pouch-belt, in this case a blue cord but the other regiments show a buff cord. The King’s Own Regiment wore blue waistcoats and breeches and the coat had blue turn-back cuffs but no lapels. The cuff has two buttons and there is a red slash flap with two buttons. Red shoulder straps hold the belts in place. The tricorn hat has a gold lace edge and a black cockade.
A cloak rolled up behind the saddle is blue with a red lining. The elaborately embroidered red horse furniture shows the royal arms on the corners. This is also to be seen on the horse furniture of the Royal Horse Guards and the 5th Regiment of Horse (4DG). The heavy black boots reached just above the knee and a white cloth knee piece protected the breeches from wear and blacking. An order of 30 Oct 1742 stipulated that this should not be more than 3 inches above the boot-top. The same order stressed that ‘No Trooper or Dragoon to appear in the streets with his cloak on.’
