Imperial Brazilian Uniforms
During the War
of the Triple Alliance

Part 6:
Gardia Nacional,
c. 1865-66

Figure 11-14 (slow: 92K)

By C. A. Norman


FIG.11: National Guard Cavalryman, Campaign, c.1865-70: Also from a newspaper engraving: The uniform is unshaded and would probably be a plain white cotton summer uniform, hat, belts and boots appear to be black. Note the sabre slings hooked together, whether this indicates some shortage of weapons, or that the sabre has simply been left in the man's tent as an encumbrance is unclear.

Finally, "Barroso" depicts 3 figures from what he describes as "The celebrated Provisional Corps of National Guard Cavalry forming the Division of General Andrade Neves". These units were recruited in Rio Grande do Sul province and seem to have largely worn the local gaucho-style dress.

FIG.12: "Provincial" Cavalryman, c.1866-70: This figure, sipping his Maté through a straw, wears a curious red hat with the turned-up front brim showing a black lining (possibly leather), white cords circling the crown and hanging as chin-cords, open black jacket worn over a white shirt, loose red "bombacho" trousers depicted as having a convoluted strip in the same colour down the outer side (some sort of lace or embroidery), soft heel-less boots of natural leather. A dark brown fringed blanket or poncho is wrapped around his shoulders, the ends decorated with alternating stripes of black and ochre yellow. A brown bag of some sort, possibly leather, hangs on his right hip, entirely steel sabre with black leather strap and knot.

FIG.13: "Provisional" Cavalryman, c.1866-70: Black hat with yellow chin-cords, the visible part of the hatband appears mainly white, but might well be an attempt to depict a highlight on a dark leather band. Plain dark blue jacket worn over a red shirt, light pink neckerchief, white trousers, dark brown boots, a wide dark brown leather waistbelt with the divided ends fastening with 3 small brass buckles. A fringed yellowish-brown blanket or poncho, the ends decorated with 3 mid-brown stripes, is slung over his right shoulder. Hanging from his left wrist are natural leather straps used as a horsewhip.

FIG.14: "Provincial" Cavalryman, c.1866-70: Brown hat with a white cord (or conceivably a thin small chain) going under his nose, worn over a red head-scarf. Plain lightish brown poncho, black trousers, natural leather boots, dark brown sabre-knot. Visible at the neck, under the poncho, is what appears to be some sort of red scarf, but this is poorly delineated and might be intended to be a shirt.

Uniform Plates


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