British infantry tunics during the 1860 China expedition

[Siaba]

Does anyone know which kind of infantry tunics wore the regiments involved in the anglo french march to Beijing ?
Thank you 

[joroas]

The Osprey book shows a full dress British scarlet uniform with the Indian service pipe helmet.

[Plynkes]

According to the force general orders issued for the landings: "cloth trousers, summer frocks and wicker helmets."

So undress frocks rather than dress tunics, at least according to orders. I think during this period the difference between the frock and the tunic was that the frock was a tad more loose-fitting and the tunic was more tailored. The frock had less buttons (five), too.


However, as Joroas says, the illustration in the Taiping Rebellion Osprey book shows a Tommy in the dress tunic instead. I don't know if this is a mistake or not, but it goes against the general orders.

[fastolfrus]

Mutineer Minis might know, last time I spoke to them they were hoping to release some suitable figures in the future.
So hopefully they know what to sculpt.

[Siaba]

According to the force general orders issued for the landings: "cloth trousers, summer frocks and wicker helmets."

So undress frocks rather than dress tunics, at least according to orders. I think during this period the difference between the frock and the tunic was that the frock was a tad more loose-fitting and the tunic was more tailored. The frock had less buttons (five), too.

However, as Joroas says, the illustration in the Taiping Rebellion Osprey book shows a Tommy in the dress tunic instead. I don't know if this is a mistake or not, but it goes against the general orders.

Thank you very much, Plynkes 
In my opinion, the Taiping Rebellion Osprey book is wrong as the illustrator (one of the Perry twins) sculpted his english infantrymen in undress frock. By the way, are there facing colors on undress frock cuffs ?

[Plynkes]

By the way, are there facing colors on undress frock cuffs ?

I think the appearance of the frock was subject to continuous minor changes. According to my books when the undress frock was first introduced (late 1850s) there were no facings, but they were adopted later on. What the situation was in 1860 I do not know, I'm afraid.



This illustration would suggest not. I cannot, however, speak for its accuracy.

[Siaba]

OK, it's very helpful 
Anyway, without facing coulours I could re use my China war british for other campaigns 

Thank you very much 

[HerbyF]

Many of the troops sent to China had been sent out to India because of the rebellion there. They were diverted to China when the rebellion was put down. So some of the uniforms worn might have been the same as in India.

[Arthur]

Wot Dylan said.

According to Michael Barthorp, General Orders prescribed red serge summer frocks for the infantry, with cloth (Oxford mixture) trousers for the 1st division and blue serge trousers for the 2nd. All ranks wore airpipe helmets and there is no indication that the brown boat coats sometimes seen in India (and used during the 1858 campaign in China) were worn in 1860. The serge frock was plain red and did not display the regiment's facing colour. 

[Siaba]

That's very clear 

If I understand well, "Oxford mixture" is a kind of very dark blue ?