(1980). The Purchase System in the British Army, 1660–1871. London: Royal Historical Society.
Middle-class professionals with tactical brilliance were effectively barred from senior command due to financial barriers. 5. Abolition and the Cardwell Reforms buy military rank
British Secretary of State for War Edward Cardwell officially abolished the purchase of commissions. (1980)
The Franco-Prussian War (1870) demonstrated the superiority of a professional, merit-based officer corps (the Prussian Army) over traditional aristocratic armies. buy military rank
To move up, an officer had to buy the next rank from an officer who was retiring or selling out.
Ranks had official government prices, though "over-regulation" prices were often paid under the table.
