Royal Naval uniform: pattern 1843-56, 1827-altered 1843 (wool, silk, gilt brass, gold alloy)

Creator: Firmin & Sons Limited Full dress coat worn by lieutenant James Saumarez Mann (entered the Royal Navy 1835 – died 1851). The fact that Saumarez was a commissioned officer is indicated by two rows of 10 buttons. His rank is indicated by the distinction lace on his sleeve which is narrower that that worn by a captain or commander. Like the coat worn by Commander Henry Bolton (UNI2851) this coat appears to have been tailored in 1827, given the tapered tails and gathered shoulders, and the cuffs were altered in conjunction with uniform changes in 1843. Naval uniform was often advertised in papers like the Times, when it was no longer needed by the wearer. It is possible that Saumarez acquired his in this way or from another officer. Certainly complaints on the cost of uniform, particularly the 1843 patterns with their extra gold lace, were sent to the Admiralty throughout the 1840s.