These were worn by sergeants of Light Dragoon regiments, and were replaced with silver lace by the Dress Regulations of 20th November 1790. The 1784 uniform was a curious arrangement of a dark blue jacket worn under a sleeveless dark blue shell (a bit like a modern gilet/waistcoat), replaced finally by the waist-level Light Dragoon jacket of 1796.

C P Lawson in his 'History of the Uniforms of the British Army' refers to the development of the HC uniforms as having 'red wings with chains' (p.42, vol.4, h/b, pub. Kaye & Ward, London, 1966). It is debatable as to whether these are for a sergeant or an officer; almost certainly the other ranks would have been plain brass, while these are gilded.

These (10.5 x 6 cms) are the rank slip-ons for the shoulder straps on an officer's summer drill tunic, such as he might wear in the tropics. They have the modern Queen Elizabeth II crown embroidered in black and they appear to be made of a light cotton drill (they are more of a moss green than the rather grey tone in the photos).

These are typical of the first half of the 19th century, when epaulettes still had a practical function of defending the shoulder from a sabre blow. One button remains, marked 'Blandford Troop YC', one of the OY troops of this period, the Marquess of Blandford being the eldest son of the Earl of Oxford.