United Kingdom. A Full Dress Tunic for a Field Officer Major to Lieutenant Colonel of the Seaforth Highlanders, circa 1881–1898

A late Victorian British Army full dress tunic constructed in scarlet wool, tailored for a field officer rank within the Seaforth Highlanders, dating to the post-Childers but pre-1900 period, the tunic featuring white facings to the collar and cuffs, edged with gilt oak-leaf patterned lace consistent with field officer rank, the collar retaining its original internal black cloth tongue fastening panel, the front fitted with seven original gilt regimental buttons each bearing a stag’s head device above the numeral “72” with a scroll inscribed “Highlanders” beneath, the lowest, eighth, button is a plain period replacement following loss of the original, the reverses of the original buttons stamped Moore, Taggart & Co., Glasgow, and the interior retaining the original Moore, Taggart & Co., Glasgow tailor’s label, the interior of the tunic further retaining its original quilted internal padding for structure, fitted with two fixed-size bronze belt support pegs to the exterior waist, one on each hip, the shoulder boards removed from both sides leaving the original attachment points visible, both collar tabs removed with the anchor points remaining evident, and measuring flat and approximately 36 cm pit-to-pit, 37 cm at the waist, 57 cm in overall back length, 69 cm in sleeve length, 18 cm in cuff height, and 5.5 cm in collar height.

Overall in good service-worn condition, the collar and cuff facings remaining white but naturally toned to a cream colour through age and wear, the neck showing fraying consistent with age, with localized wear to the interior armpit areas including partial unstitching at the right armpit seam, small rips to both front flap pockets including a tear toward the upper portion of the left-hand pocket, and evidence of an earlier period repair to the right-hand pocket, the tunic remaining structurally sound and displaying well.

Footnote: The Seaforth Highlanders were formed in 1881 through the amalgamation of the 72nd (Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders) and the 78th (Highlanders), with early post-reform uniforms retaining elements of earlier regimental identity, including the stag’s head device and numeral “72” used on regimental buttons. The presence of both the tailor’s label and matching button backmarks for Moore, Taggart & Co., Glasgow firmly anchors this tunic to Scottish manufacture in the late Victorian period, and the overall construction reflects transitional full dress practice following the Childers Reforms, characteristic of field officer dress during the period circa 1881–1898.