Antique Circa 1910 Coldstream Guards Ceremonial Scarlet Tunic

Label: British Army — Coldstream Guards

Era: Edwardian — Circa 1910

Composition: Heavyweight Scarlet Melton Wool; Dark-Navy Wool Facings; Brass Hardware.

Details: High stand collar with embroidered Garter Star insignia; brass buttons arranged in regimental pairs; shoulder epaulettes; pointed Guards cuffs with white piping; fitted military silhouette; internal inspection stamps.

Condition: Very good antique condition considering its age. The tunic displays light, natural service wear while retaining its structure, colour and clearly legible internal military stamps. One missing brass epaulette button has been replaced with a matching period example. The lowest button on the front placket is missing, but this does not affect the tunic’s structure or primary closure. Please refer closely to the photographs for a complete assessment.

Size: Estimated Men’s Small. Edwardian dress tunics were cut closely to the body, so please consult the exact measurements below to ensure a precise fit.

Measurements:
Armpit to Armpit: 40cm
Shoulder to Shoulder: 40cm
Sleeve Length: 68cm
Total Length: 70cm

Made in the UK

Dating from approximately 1910, this Coldstream Guards ceremonial tunic is a remarkable survivor of Edwardian British military tailoring.

The substantial scarlet Melton-wool body is sharply contrasted by dark-navy facings, white-piped pointed cuffs and polished brass hardware. Buttons arranged in pairs identify the Coldstream Guards as the second regiment of Foot Guards, while the embroidered eight-pointed Garter Star appears on the high collar.

Its rigid construction, closely fitted body and precisely shaped shoulders reflect the exacting standards of early-20th-century ceremonial dress. Legible internal military inspection stamps provide further evidence of official issue and historical provenance.

The Coldstream Guards are the oldest continuously serving regiment in the Regular British Army, founded in 1650. More than a century after this tunic was produced, the same scarlet military silhouette acquired a second cultural life during the mid-2000s British indie revival.

Military scarlet jackets became closely associated with Pete Doherty, Carl Barât and The Libertines, transforming an emblem of establishment ceremony into a visual shorthand for dishevelled, bohemian rebellion. This tunic therefore occupies a rare intersection between authentic British military history and the later music culture that reclaimed its image.