Coat, military coat

Jacket worn by an unknown officer of the London and Westminster Light Horse Volunteers. The jacket is made of red wool and black silk velvet trimmed with silver braid and buttons.
The London and Light Horse Volunteers were formed in 1779 when the French threatened to invade Britain. They stood down in 1783 but were raised again 11 years later with a new risk of invasion from France. The corps consisted of gentlemen ‘of wealth and position’, many from leading mercantile firms in the City. Other such voluntary forces in the capital included the Bank of England’s volunteer association, a 500-strong corps of clerks, directors and department heads.