The first uniform of Gardner’s Corp of Irregular Horse, raised in 1809, was a green alkalak with silver lace. The trousers were red pyjamas and the headdress described as the Persian kazil-bash. This was a name given to Turcoman soldiers meaning red-head, so it is safe to assume that the regiment adopted red headdress from the start and retained that colour until the radical change of uniform in 1886. The portrait of lieutenant-colonel John Hearsey shows him in the uniform of the 2nd Local Horse as the regiment was called from 1823 to 1840. The portrait was probably painted c1839 the year that Hearsey relinquished command, at the age of 46.
It is a very flamboyant outfit, based on a dark green long-skirted alkalak, not very suitable for riding. The broad shoulder-belt hides some of the detail, but the silver laced frame around his chest area has been loosened to reveal a scarlet undergarment. The lace has a red edge and is decorated with braid. Some of this braid decorates the edge of the skirt opening below the waist, and around the hem, also edged in red. The voluminous sleeves open to reveal the cuffs of the scarlet undergarment, finished with silver lace decoration. The open sleeves of the alkalak have broad silver lace edges and scarlet inside, to a width of 2.5 inches. The style of the alkalak at that time did not allow for facings as such, but the showing of scarlet set the precedent for the future uniform.
His sword scabbard is kept in place with a generous waist sash or kummerbund that ties on his right side and falls to the hem of the alkalak. It looks as if it is fully embroidered, with the fringed ends covered in silver. His headdress lies on the ground near his left foot. It appears to be a fur busby with a decorated metal top. A large plume is fixed to the top, probably at the front of the cap. Whether this, and the rest of the amazing costume were standard wear for all the officers, or just Colonel Hearsey, is not known. A small figure can be seen in the lower left corner of the painting. He has a red turban which is likely to be the headdress of the Indian soldiers of the regiment.
