The blue velvet facings of this officer’s coat have gold embroidered buttonholes placed in pairs with buttons marked K D G. Up until 1768 buttons were marked 1 D G. This uniform conforms to the 1768 clothing warrant which allowed coats to have turn-down collars. The breadth of the lapels was to be three inches, the same breadth all the way to the waist. Officers of dragoon guards, Horse and dragoons were to have a gold or silver embroidered or laced epaulette, with fringe, on the left shoulder. The epaulette seen here is of blue velvet with gold embroidery and fringe.
The KDG discontinued their blue waistcoat and breeches in 1764 exchanging them for buff. Most of the other regiments had white waistcoats and breeches but the KDG retained buff until 1774. An order dated 19 May 1774 stated: ‘To the future clothing of the King’s Dragoon Guards, the waistcoats, breeches and lining of the coats and cloaks are to be white instead of buff.’ This order also applied to the 3rd Dragoons who were the only other heavy cavalry regiment to have buff waistcoats etc.
The portrait is named as Captain Clinton.
