There is a reason Officers wear dark brown leather gloves and Marines wear white gloves when in ceremonial blues. When returning the sword to its scabbard whilst marching you could catch the inside skin between thumb and first finger, with brown gloves the blood couldn't be seen. When giving the order to fix bayonets you would first listen for the clatter of a misplaced bayonet and then when you had a chance look at the white gloves to see who had seeping blood, then you knew who had not followed the drill correctly.
Ouch!
Very interesting
