British Army regiments of the War of 1812 period were distinguished by the varying colours of cloth applied to the collars and cuffs of their red coats, known as ‘facings.’ Their fifers and drummers, meanwhile, wore a traditional livery uniform known as ‘reversed colours,’ whereby their coats were (with some exceptions) made of the same colour cloth as the facings of their parent regiments. In addition, their coats were elaborately trimmed with woolen lace upon the buttonholes, sleeves and seams, according to regimental patterns.

 

The field musicians’ uniforms were purchased by the regimental Colonel-in-Chief, and therefore the design of their coats varied considerably between units according to the commander’s personal taste and available funds. For example, some wealthy, prestigious regiments purchased highly decorated coats with combinations of special musicians’ lace, whereas those of other regiments were comparatively plain. Orders issued in 1811 for fifers and drummers to adopt red coats and for regiments to curb excessive spending upon their uniforms were largely ignored, and the elaborate, facing-coloured coats were not fully abolished until the 1830s.