interesting 78th Highlanders photo

[OC Richard]

One of those photos that raises more questions than it answers.

Two 78th Highlanders. It can be dated to post-1868 due to the gauntlet cuffs.



What interests me particularly is the piper's doublet, which appears to be coloured in like manner to the non-piper's, which would have been scarlet with buff facings. In any case the facings of the piper's doublet don't match the rest of it. One would expect the piper's doublet to be entirely Archer Green.

Also interesting is that I think it's the first photo I've seen of military men wearing Ghillie brogues.

The article about the history of the dress of the pipers of the 78th Highlanders contained in The Queens Own Highlanders Standard Setting of Pipe Music states that the pipers went to the Archer Green doublets in 1859. This green piper's doublet can be seen in this photo, which also shows that the gauntlet cuff was adopted first on the piper's doublets and later spread to the rest of the regiment. The 1855-1868 style of doublet can be seen worn by the other soldiers, with slash cuffs.



(Note the interesting bit of lighter-coloured tartan ribbon under the plaid brooches in both the above photos.)

And here's another 78th Highlanders piper.

[figheadair]

I'm struck by the differences in hose, diced and tartan, and also the sporrans for what look like the same rank (although sporrans are not my area of expertise and I'm happy to be advised otherwise.

[Tarheel]

The ribbon, backing the plaid broach in the second photo, seems to be the same tartan that is attached to the pipes. If not, my glasses need an upgrade.

Like figheadair, I also see many odd comparatives (such as two different pommels on the dirks in the first photo.

Thanks for another thing to ponder. I need new items to fill my mental lapses.

[OC Richard]

There were all sorts of little differences distinguishing the pipers' costume in many regiments.

In the 78th the pipers have long worn MacKenzie tartan hose rather than the red & white diced hose worn by the rest of the regiment.

This is in addition to the typical pipers' distinctions (shared by all Highland regiments) such as non-diced Glengarries, Archer Green doublets, and black leather dirk belt and crossbelt.

Also pipers typically wore a distinctive sporran (the Black Watch were the odd man out, in not doing this).

Another thing often seen is Sergeants having a different sporran than the Other Ranks. Junior Sergeants and certain senior Sergeants sometimes had different sporrans, too (cf the white long hair sporrans of certain senior Sergeants in the 93rd Highlanders, as opposed to the badger sporrans worn by junior Sergeants, and Officers).

[OC Richard]

About ghillies in the Army, there's this oddity:

[Jock Scot]

Lt. Colonels in the British Army, particularly ones that have obviously been about a bit, had and still have, a habit of "adjusting" dress regulations, so we really should not get too academic about it.

[slothead]

Wow OC Richard! Where do you come up with all these old photos!!?? They are great! I love 'em!

[blackwatch70]

One of those photos that raises more questions than it answers.

Two 78th Highlanders. It can be dated to post-1868 due to the gauntlet cuffs.



What interests me particularly is the piper's doublet, which appears to be coloured in like manner to the non-piper's, which would have been scarlet with buff facings. In any case the facings of the piper's doublet don't match the rest of it. One would expect the piper's doublet to be entirely Archer Green.

Also interesting is that I think it's the first photo I've seen of military men wearing Ghillie brogues.

The article about the history of the dress of the pipers of the 78th Highlanders contained in The Queens Own Highlanders Standard Setting of Pipe Music states that the pipers went to the Archer Green doublets in 1859. This green piper's doublet can be seen in this photo, which also shows that the gauntlet cuff was adopted first on the piper's doublets and later spread to the rest of the regiment. The 1855-1868 style of doublet can be seen worn by the other soldiers, with slash cuffs.

Dear OC,
I would suppose that is post-1881 photo and we see 2nd Seaforth pipe-sergeant and band sergeant (maybe even bandmaster or drum-major).
In this case everything is clear - peculiar gray sporran with 2 black tassels, Assaye elefant on crossbelt (legacy of 78th), Seaforth collar badges etc...

as for ORs red tunic with buff cuffs and collar worn by piper - as I understand, in Bitish army, today and in the past, the "uniform" is loose concept

And I would say they wear not Ghillie but buckle brogues...

[figheadair]

About ghillies in the Army, there's this oddity:

There are some really nice personal touches to this dress. I'm assuming he is/was a Seaforth (either the CO of one of the Bns or a Staff/Liaison Officer). Shirt and tie with Battle Dress blouse, which was standard at the time, plain sporran worn nice and high, Sam Brown belt but without the cross-belt, and best of all, a pistol worn from the San Brown sword rings but reversed for a cross body right hand draw. The weapon itself looks like a semi-automatic pistol rather than the standard issue Webley Revolver.

[BobsYourUncle]

[QUOTE=OC Richard;1312268]One of those photos that raises more questions than it answers.

Two 78th Highlanders. It can be dated to post-1868 due to the gauntlet cuffs.



What interests me particularly is the piper's doublet, which appears to be coloured in like manner to the non-piper's, which would have been scarlet with buff facings. In any case the facings of the piper's doublet don't match the rest of it. One would expect the piper's doublet to be entirely Archer Green.

What has not yet been remarked upon here is that both figures are wearing Sjts stripes, which likely marks them as Serjeant Piper and Serjeant Drummer--Pipe Major and Drum Major. The dress of Pipe Majors and Drum Majors often are distinct from those of ranker pipers and drummers. I am curious about the fact that the PM seems to have differently coloured cuffs-- I ,too, would expect them to be the same as the body of the doublet, Archer Green. I did not find a complete answer in the Regimental history of the 78th, but I did find this entry in Volume II, Chapter III, Highland Dress: "In 1867 the band was ordered to be dressed in the same uniform as the rest of the regiment, and accordingly the white doublets were directed to be discontinued, but in the 78th, the Regiment being abroad, the band continued to wear white till the introduction of scarlet in 1871. Regimental custom, however, preserves their memory by red cloth collars and cuffs on the buff shell jackets of the band, and are worn with the bandsmen's cross plaid when playing out, the piper's jackets being similarly faced with green." History and Services of the 78th Highlanders (Ross-Shire Buffs) 1793- 1881, Major H. Davidson, Edinburgh and London, w & AK Johnston, 1901, Vol. II page 47. If the Pipers were wearing Archer Green doublets or jackets, there would be no need to face them in green. Perhaps the Pipers were in scarlet during this period, along with the rest of the band. I feel that more research would be required to fully answer this question.