Conserving a 19th Century Napoleonic Uniform

This is the uniform of a French customs officer, dating from the Napoleonic period. How did it come to be part of the National Maritime Museum's collections?

Well... In 1809, a 19-year-old Royal Navy midshipman called Charles Hare used the uniform as part of a daring escape from a French prison fortress.

For more than 200 years the uniform was treasured by Hare’s descendants in Canada. Now, a new chapter in its story is being written.

Conservator Aisling Macken and Curator Dr Katherine Gazzard examine the uniform following its acquisition. The plan is to put it on display at the National Maritime Museum. But first, it needs some work...