UNIFORMS, ARMS & EQUIPMENT - ROYAL ARTILLERY
THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY 1881-1902
FULL DRESS POUCH, BELTS, SABRETACHE & SWORD
THE SWORD BELT & SLINGS
In 1833 RHA had worn a blue Morocco leather belt covered in gold lace with an S hook fastening with gilt lion’s heads either side. From 1855 the entire regiment adopted a similar belt with gilt loops for the sword & sabretache slings. The fastening was two gilt plates with the Royal Crest joined by a snake hook inscribed “UBIQUE”. Before 1900, a web belt with sword slings was worn by all officers below the RHA jacket and the RA tunic and the belt was used as a girdle.
THE SHOULDER BELT
In 1855 the shoulder belt was adopted by officers of the whole regiment. It was in two pieces of blue Morocco leather covered in gold lace 2 Inches wide. The short piece had an ornamental gilt buckle and slide and the long had a tip of a gilt grenade encircled by a wreath. The pouch is described below.
THE POUCH
In 1855 the Pouch was described thus: The Royal Arms and Gun badge in gold embroidery on blue Morocco leather faced with dark blue cloth. A laurel spray on the dexter (right) and an oak spray on the sinister (left) side. The Gun in gilding metal Regimental lace 3/4" wide round the edge. Below a crimson scroll with the motto "QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT" in gilt embroidered lettering. The gun was redesigned in 1872.
It was worn by all RA & RHA officers. The size varied throughout the years. In 1855 it was 21/4" x 5 1/2". In 1874 it was 2 3/4" x 5 5/8" and in 1894 4 1/8" x 6 3/4".
THE SABRETACHE
Carried by all RHA officers and RA mounted officers from 1833. The design was identical to that on the pouch with a different arrangement of the Royal Arms, sprays and scrolls. the The gun was redesigned in 1872. The sabretache was abolished in 1902.
Note: The sabretache was apparently restored to the King's Troop RHA on the occasion of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee (2013). Interestingly it still had the Victorian Crown!
THE OFFICERS SWORD
Officers of the Royal Artillery carried the Light Cavalry sword and scabbard from 1874. The gripe was now fish skin (instead of foal skin in 1860) and the blade was 32 1/2" long with the round back terminating 11 inches from the point.
UNDRESS CAPS,
MESS DRESS
& UNDRESS ITEMS
