3-016-797 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Police guard of the British Legation at Pekin, 1864. Engraving from a photograph by John and Charles Watkins, of '...the costume and appearance of a party of men, selected by the Metropolitan Commissioners of Police, with the sanction of the Home Secretary, to proceed to China, there to form an escort for her Majesty's Minister at Pekin, and to act as a guard for the Legation premises. They left London for China by the overland route on the 20th of last month. The ordinary uniform that has been selected is a blue tunic with scarlet piping, a cork helmet covered with white jean, with plate and royal crest; and the overalls blue, with scarlet side-seams. The undress for summer is a white jean tunic, with scarlet piping; and blue serge for morning and evening wear. The men are provided with cloaks and sheepskin coats, and with thigh boots for winter use. They are armed with swords and revolvers. The following is an index to the different styles of uniform represented in our Engraving...from left to right: 1. Full dress, with helmet. 2. Uniform worn on board ship. 3. Summer uniform (mid-day). 4. Mounted winter uniform (without cloak). 5. Full dress, with forage cap. 6. Patrol uniform (morning and evening). 7. Winter uniform (dismounted)'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.