I am not a uniform expert but surely the wearing of bearskins in the British Army prior to Waterloo was confined to Grenadier Companies and these had evolved from the original mitre Grenadier caps of the 18th Century. The Foot Guards would have been no different to any other battalion in this respect, apart from the fact that 1st Foot Guards had an extra Grenadier company (4 Grenadier, 4 Light and 24 Centre Companies).

The Fusiliers all wore Bearskins because they considered themselves to be entirely Grenadiers. This would appear to be well established for 7th Royal Fusiliers, who had no Ensigns so every company had a Flank Company structure of all subalterns being Lieutenants. They also had wings for all companies and white plumes on their bearskins, again Grenadier indicators. 21st Royal North British Fusiliers and 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers had all these same Grenadier uniform distinctions but had 2nd Lieutenants (paid the same as Ensigns) in their Centre Companies.

Rod