miscellaneous
British Light Dragoons charging French infantry at Gamarra
(Vitoria 1813)
british cavalry post-1812
During 1812 there was major changes in the uniforms of
British Cavalry, affecting to all branches or that arm with exception of
Hussars. Thus, Light Dragoons changed their laced dark blue coats and
distinctive Tarleton helmets to dark blue coats with plastrons and
bell-shaped shakos. Heavy Cavalry changed their cocked hats for helmets
with brass comb, front-plate and black horsehair manes (Dragoons and
Dragoon-Guards) or caterpillar-crested helmets (Household Cavalry). On
the other hand, there was not significant changes in the Hussars costume
except for the replacement of the fur busbies by shakos in some
regiments.
During Vitoria campaign, spring-summer 1813, some of the above changes
were already in effect (for example Light Dragoons carried their
French-like new uniforms in the field) but others were in process of
implementation (the new helmets for Life Guards were issued at 1814), so
the mixing of new and old uniforms was a reality. Only during the
Waterloo campaign (1815) the change of uniforms can be considered as
finished.
The references I have finally used are summarized in the following
table.
| UNIT | FIGURES | COLOR SCHEME | NOTES | PICTURES | |
| Light Dragoons |
HäT 8014 KGL Light Dragoons |
 |
Wellington's Light Cavalry (Men-at-Arms 126) Osprey-Publishing |
 |
 |
| Dragoons and Dragoon-Guards |
HäT 8033 British Heavy Dragoons |
 |
Wellington's Heavy Cavalry (Men-at-Arms 130, Osprey-Publishing |
 |
 |
| Household Cavalry |
Revell 02578 British Life Guards |
  |
 |
 |
|
| Hussars |
Esci 230 British Light Dragoons |
 |
Wellington's Light Cavalry (Men-at-Arms 126) Osprey-Publishing |
 |
 |
Links of interest:
Uniforms and facings
Light Dragoons
Hussars
Heavy Cavalry
Household Cavalry
Hät Industrie
Histofig
Wellington's Light Cavalry (Men-at-Arms 126), B. Fosten,
Osprey.-Publishing
Wellington's Heavy Cavalry (Men-at-Arms 130), B. Fosten,
Osprey.-Publishing