"British Light Dragoons in the Peninsular" Topic

I'm in the middle of painting a regiment (the 12th) of these for the early Peninsular War (+ for use in Egypt 1801), i.e., in Tarletons and braided jackets.

Now there are plenty of references for the uniform, far fewer for the saddlery and equipment.

My specific questions are:

What was the colour of the sheepskin: white or black?, and
What was the colour of the blanket under the saddle: blue or grey?

The illustrations in British Light Cavalry by John Pimlott (Nations in Arms) show black sheepskins and blue blankets, at least until the new uniforms come in. Other sources, however, indicate white sheepskins and grey blankets.

Would any of the learned gentlemen on this forum have further information?

The British Army at the time (and indeed even today) was notorious for each regiment 'doing its own thing'. However, generally speaking the sheepskins would be white with vandyking in the facing colour and the blanket grey. The rolled cloak should be blue. I think if you follow that, you cannot go far wrong.

Here's a good illustration which might help.

Possibly useful ?
link
link

12th LD at Salamanca by Bernard Granville Baker (1870-1957)

12th LD in Egypt (No. 2) – L & F Funcken

12th LD in Egypt – Louis d'Hertault de Beaufort (1914-2004) – "Le Briquet"

Paul :)

The edging to the fleece in the top picture should be in pale yellow

Paul :)

I thought the black fleeces were used by officers and possibly musicians?

Thank you all very much indeed gentlemen: a very informative contribution from you all.

Trying to draw it all together, I would opine that, by around 1812 white sheepskins (black for officers and trumpeters perhaps) with grey blankets were pretty universal. However, I'm tempted to think that earlier on, black sheepskins were at least as common. Anyway, that's what I'm going with!