Uniform Identification - 86th Regiment Of Foot?

[Duneane]

This is a carte de visite of my Great Grandfather, Thomas Nixon and is dated 1871.

I know that he was serving in the 86th Regiment Of Foot in 1871 as a Private and spent time in Ireland, Ceylon, Mauritius and the Cape.

Can anybody tell me what the uniform is, as it doesn't look like a standard 86th Foot uniform. Is it an overseas mess dress uniform, or a band member uniform maybe?

Apologies for the poor quality.

[MaxD]

Very odd.  His rank is given as Drummer (1d a day more than a private) whose uniform would have had the shoulder wings and a plethora of lace across the front.  Mess dress unlikely at that level.  Needs a real uniform buff to happen along!

MaxD

[ShaunJ]

He wasn't a drummer for very long ( September 1869 to September 1871).

[philipsearching]

Very odd.  His rank is given as Drummer (1d a day more than a private) whose uniform would have had the shoulder wings and a plethora of lace across the front.  Mess dress unlikely at that level.  Needs a real uniform buff to happen along!

MaxD

.....Or a cynic to wander past.

The uniform does appear to have shoulder boards suggesting officer rank.  My opinion - Thomas "borrowed" the uniform and nipped out to the photographer's studio!

Imaginary dialogue:
Officer: "Nixon, get this uniform cleaned"
Thomas: "Certainly, sir."  (thinks to self - "on the way back, I'll just nip into the photographers - a pic of me wearing this would impress the rellies!")

Well, - it might have happened that way 

[Duneane]

So this is either his Drummer’s uniform - or an officer’s mess dress that he ‘borrowed’? To be honest, looking at the number of times he deserted, got drunk or broke out of barracks with his regimental necessities, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least! Thanks for your help.