British 52nd Oxfordshire Light Infantry Regiment (short-tailed)

Short-tailed dress jacket with officer’s epaulets from the 52nd Regiment (Oxfordshire Light Infantry), Georgian period, circa 1820–1822. An extremely rare piece. The jacket is made of scarlet broadcloth with buff-colored facings and lapels adorned with silver-threaded bugle motifs. The 7.9 cm stand-up collar is trimmed with a simple buff-colored cord and small silver-plated buttons. It is open at the back. The front is fastened by two pairs of ten silver buttons (2 x 10). These buttons are marked “Jennens & Co., London.” The 10-cm round cuffs are adorned with four single cords, each featuring four large silver buttons. They are also fastened at the back. The richly decorated back panels feature white braiding on the false pockets and a short cord. They are fastened at the back with eighteen large silver buttons. The design on all the buttons is identical: a crown surmounting the number 52 surrounded by laurel branches, with the inscription “Oxfordshire” at the bottom. The jacket panels, made of red cloth adorned with silver-thread fringe, feature two rows of plated chains and are connected to a central embossed plated ornament, surmounted by plated laurel branches and a gilded horn. Both panels bear the label “Cater & Co., Pall Mall, London.” The simple plated fastening buttons are located near the collar. The panels were held together by a thin scarlet cord fastened under the arm. The jacket is fully lined with its original quilted fabric. There are slight stains on the front and some fraying along the upper edge of the collar. Overall, it is in good condition considering its age.

Note -
This jacket is reproduced in the book *Waterloo Men* (Philip J. Haythornthwaite).