Oil on board.
Painting measurement 12”x15”
The only British Army regiment to have dark green uniforms and tunics were the Experimental Corps of Riflemen, known successively after 1802 as the 95th (Rifle) Regiment and the Rifle Brigade. They used the Baker Rifles, known for greater accuracy and were extremely accurate at 100m with a range of 200m, whereas soldiers of the line regiments were issued with the "Black Bess" musket, with accurate fire en-masse at 60m. Their uniform had black epaulettes and shoulder trimmings as well as black collars.

They wore the leather belt obliquely across their chest. The insignia of the cross is consistent, although undergoing modernisation, with the current cap badge insignia of the modern regiment, also known as the Green Jackets.

Included is a picture of the uniform of the Rifle Brigade as worn in 1802. Note the similarity, although the painting shows an officer's dress tunic used for special military occasions such as regimental dinners. Hanging from the cross belt on his chest is the whistle used to provide commands to the soldiers acting as sharp-shooter piquet troops, accurately sniping at the enemy in front of the regiments of the line. Troops could be called by whistle to retreat to safety behind the lines when enemy forces advanced.

It is likely that the oil painting shows a high ranking officer of the 95th Rifle Regiment in the Regency Period as no artillery or cavalry regiments wore dark green uniforms.

It could just possibly be the famous Sir Thomas Sydney Beckwith (1772-1831). But it could equally well be anyone else who was an officer in the regiment.

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