Tailcoat of black doeskin belonging to Naval Chaplain Reverend Richard Swanwick Hartley. The coat has two rows of six black satin covered buttons with black silk braid to give the effect of 18th century button back lapels. The sleeves terminate in a graduated boot cuff with three black satin covered buttons and black silk braid. On the back are two black satin hip buttons and two three point pocket flaps with black silk braid buttonholes and three black silk buttons below.

Hartley was appointed a naval chaplain in 1886. However, chaplain’s dress does not appear in regulations until 1891. This tailcoat, waistcoat, breeches and silk stockings would have been part of evening wear, as is noted in the 1891 regulations: '…in the evening, when officers wear full dress or ball dress, the waistcoat shall be a black silk cassock one, and, instead of trousers, shall be worn black cloth knee breeches, with black silk stockings and patent leather shoes with silver or plated buckles.'