Del Prado Light Dragoon Sergeant, 1795: Before the British Hussar Fashion

Del Prado · Britain · 1795

Dark clothing, a tall plume and a yellow saddle covering give this British light dragoon an identity distinct from the red-coated heavy cavalry. The 1795 date belongs to the Revolutionary wars, before Waterloo’s familiar uniforms.

The standing horse gives the sergeant a composed appearance. Much of the interest lies in the contrast between the rider’s dark uniform and the bright cloth beneath the saddle. The headgear and plume create a vertical accent, but the overall effect is restrained compared with many later hussar figures.

Light cavalry before a change of name

British light dragoons carried out reconnaissance and other mobile duties. Some light dragoon regiments began adopting the hussar designation in 1806, more than a decade after the date on this subject. The distinction matters: the later fashion for hussar dress should not be projected backwards onto every British cavalryman in a dark coat.

The National Army Museum explains that dragoons had evolved from mounted soldiers intended to fight on foot into conventional cavalry. The word survived while the role changed. This miniature is therefore a useful starting point for asking what a regimental title meant at a particular date.

Look beyond the coat colour

The reference description does not name a regiment. Keep “British Light Dragoon Sergeant, 1795” as the identification rather than supplying a number from a resemblance to another model. Match the saddle cloth, headgear, pose and equipment as a complete combination.

When buying loose, inspect the plume from two angles and look for damage to the horse’s ears, reins and lower legs. Ask whether the rider is secure and whether anything has been repaired around the saddle. A freshly painted patch may be easier to spot against the yellow cloth than against the dark uniform.

Beside the catalog’s British hussar dated 1813, this figure creates a compact comparison across eighteen years. The different appearance is useful, provided the labels do not imply that the two miniatures represent the same regiment.

Browse the Del Prado Figure Catalog →