Uniform jacket of an officer of the Royal Manx Fencibles
Date made: c.1797
Description: This coat belonged to an officer of the Royal Manx Fencibles, and as such was probably privately made by a tailor.
It has blue facing colours (indicating a 'Royal' regiment), bullion braid and the gilt buttons carry the three legs symbol with the words 'Royal Manx Fencibles'. Red is the traditional colour of the British army, and its soldiers were often known as 'redcoats' in this era.
The jacket represents a period when the Isle of Man raised its own formations in the service of the crown. The Royal Manx Fencibles were mainly recruited for the defence of the British Isles but also played a part in the suppression of the 1798 Ulster uprising.
Measurements: 109 x 61 x 2 cm
Materials: linen, metal: copper alloy, metal: silver, wool
Object name: uniform
Collection: Costume & Textiles Collection
ID Number: 1989-0282/1