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Leibhusaren-Regiment 1 Busby

This is a Busby or Pelzmütze with Wachtmeister cockade (Feldzeichen) in private purchase quality, and somewhat older.

The body of the cap is covered in brownblack fur, possibly bearskin, not as per the issue examples in sealskin. The top of the cap has a red cloth cover ending in a bag, falling to the left and known as a Kolpak, which is easily removable. Attached to left side and rear are knotten caplines or cordons, of a whitish wool-linnen mix. The oval cockade, known as the Nationale or Feldzeichen, is in officers quality in silver bullion with a black velvet centre. The rounded chinscales on rosettes are gilded and of officer quality, and suspended from behind the oval cockade, To the front is the original deathshead or Totenkopf in Neusilber (white metal), surmounted by a scroll bearing the Vaterland motto, originality of which is uncertain. Plain black leather liner. A Strassburg makers label in paper is within, so that the piece is not older than 1871. Reasonable condition for age, fur is still in place.

he Leib-Husaren-Regt. 1 formed a joint brigade in Danzig-Langfuhr together with Leib-Husaren-Regt. 2, which wore an identical headdress, but with a white Kolpak. Commander in Chief of the first regiment was. Crown Prince Wilhelm, who later wore this uniform during WW1. Kaiser Wilhelm II also frequently wore this uniform. The regiment was formed in 1741. Both regiments wore black Attilas (tunics) with white trim, silver for officers. The officers shoulder pieces bore the crowned monogram of Wilhelm II. The entire regiment rode dappel-grey horses (Apfelschimmel) - LHR 2 rode chestnut coloured horses The regiment took part in the action at the Marne in September 1914 and in the fighting around Arras, but was then moved in Autumn to the Eastern Front, where they saw action in Gallicia, later in Riga and the occupation of the Baltic Islands Oesel and Dagö, as well as action in Finnland. After the collapse of Russia and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the regiment carried out occupation and border duties in the occupied Russian territories until November 1918, returning in January 1919 to Danzig, where it was disbanded.

The other photo shows an original scene in the barracks in Danzig at the outbreak of war and mobilisation in August 1914. The cavalrymen are wearing the new fieldgrey attilas and breeches and brand new boots and leather equipment that has not been tanned. The headdress is here without the (white) Kolpak and is as worn in the field, but in latter case with a cloth cover. The lances in the background indicate with their pennants that they are from Leib-Husaren-Regt.2.

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Husaren-Regiment Kaiser Franz-Joseph von Österreich-Ungarn No.16,

based in Schleswig. Originally known as Schleswig-Holsteinisches Husaren-Regiment No.16, Emperor Franz-Joseph was made Colonel in Chief of the regiment on 2. December 1873. The regiment had been raised on 27th .September 1866.

The cap is of sealskin, as with all other ranks examples, apart from private purchase types, which vary. Chinscales were always of yellow metal (tombak). White cap lines (Fangschnur) were suspended from the rear to the right side and were knotted, when the soldier was not mounted. The top was fitted with a removable yellow cloth Kolpak, which fell to the left side. At the front of the crown was the Prussian cockade as an oval Feldzeichen in black/white cloth. The emblem was a scroll in white metal with the motto: MIT GOTT FÜR KÖNIG UND VATERLAND.. The example shown has stampings of B.A.IX 1908 (Altona) and H.R.16. The same type of cap was worn by Husaren-Regiment 15 up till 1899, which then received a new scroll with battle honours. The headdress was worn with a cloth cover as from August 1914. The peacetime uniform was cornflower blue (dark, lighter for officers) with white lace or hungarian knots. Officers shoulder cords bore the crowned monogram of Emperor Franz-Joseph.

H.R.16 operated togehter with H.R.15 as a joint brigade, and saw action in Belgium and Northern France in August 1914 against the B.E.F. at Néry and near Arras, but in the autumn were transfered to the Eastern Front Russian Poland, later to the Baltic and Lithuania. . Later the regiment was split up into squadrons, which saw service in various sectors on the Western Front behind the lines as divisional cavalry with police and staff duties. Staff and 1st Squadron were based at Dorpat and Dünaburg (E.Front) The 2nd squadron saw service on the Swiss border and later as infantry in the trenches on the Western Front. Between December 1918 and January 1919. the 5 squadrons had returned to Schleswig and were disbanded and the soldiers dismissed.

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Monograms from Officers' shoulder cords (Heimatmuseum Wandsbek)

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Bavarian Infanterie  Kaskett / Raupenhelm M. 1868

A Bavarian Infantry helmet M.1868, known as a "Kaskett", or popularly as a "Raupenhelm", the Bavarian answer to the pickelhaube, but much older. This form was first adopted in 1808 during the alliance with Napoleon and prevailed until 1886. The original models were higher but basicly the same form.

The example shown is dated 1873 and 1874 and has had several wearers, the last name label bears the name of a private soldier - "Gemeiner".... of 5th Compagnie, 13th Infanterie-Regt.

The helmet shows signs of age, but all complete, the black crest is made of wool pluesch and is in very good order. The leather chinstrap is of thick lacquered leather and held by two lion head fittings. To the left above the lions head is the Bavarian cockade. The front bears a crowned monogram "L" for King Ludwig II of Bavaria, and finely gilded.

After the death of Ludwig II on 13th June 1886, these old helmets were gradually replaced by a new headdress, the pickelhaube. Many examples of the old helmet were converted, i.e. the pluesch raupe was removed and a spike was added.

In 1873 the Bavarian uniform underwent changes, more conform to the Prussian style, but still retained the old helmets till 1886.

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Belt buckle, M.1873

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Host wos g‘sehn, Seppl?  Doa b‘wegt sich wos!     Picture titled "Bayerischer Infanterist Max Lehner", a character study (period 1866-70) by Prof. Louis Braun, München
Helmets worn here are of an older type without peak trim.

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The Bavarians at the Battle of Weissenburg, 1870, the storming of the village of Bazeilles

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House to house fighting in the fortified village of Bazeilles

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Capture of a French standard at Wörth, 6.September 1870

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A new uniform based on the Prussian model, but in a lighter blue, and the iconic belt buckle were introduced in 1873. The Raupenhelm was phased out gradually after 1886.

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  • 5 months later...

A helmet previously featured type: Model 1867/71 - this is a very early helmet, but in very good condition for age, it is of exceptional private purchase qualtiy for an NCO rank. It features the larger, longer peaks and a seam in the leather construction under the back spine, a typical feature of earlier helmets. Emblem, chinscales and cockades of officer quality and has been fitted with the later 1897 Reichskokarde. The silk liner is missing, the leather sweatband in good order, in little worn condition. It has the original cardboard transport case, fastening strap has worn off. Inside the bottom lid is a large label of the outfitter, who is quite well known and had branches in various cities and provinces.

Eduard Sachs
Berlin W., Taubenstr. 7
Militair- u. Civil-Uniformen
Militair-Effecten

Breslau, Neue Taschenstr.19
Cöln a./Rh., Schildergasse 75
Dresden, Lüttichaustr. 23
Magdeburg, Breiteweg 270
Metz, Römerstr. 11
Strassburg i./E., Eiserner Mannsplatz 1

(Purchased from Chris Farlowe in March 1970)
 

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Label, note old spelling with "C" everywhere and Militär with ai, Dammtor with th

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  • 2 months later...

Just got this in today Prussian Jager Zu Pferde O/R Lobster Tail Spiked Helmet, lovely blued steel lobster tail Prussian helmet with all original parts. Brass cockades with all paint remaining and brown chinstrap and liner in excellent condition. Liner has some wear to drawstring holes. Spike and fittings all complete. Dated stamp 1916 to inside base of helmet along with maker stamp 'C.E.JUNKER'. The underside of neck guard is size stamped '58'.Inside of visor has some of the original green paint remaining. The Prussian Imperial Eagle plate has pewter finish. Excellent example and rare in this condition.  

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Nice example, Juncker was always a quality maker, even for the simple other ranks' items. The finish is fieldgrey as from 1915, this was a zink finish over iron, as with all headdress from 1915 onwards. Someone has polished the finish off from the spike. Note also the extra large cockades which should be on all metal helmets.

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  • 5 months later...

Fritz, I have recently seen your post about the Wurtemberg Pickelhaube and the shooting of Major von Neubronner in 1918. I have also found out I am a distant relative of the von Neubronner's (by marrage), so this history is particularly interesting to me. 

Many thanks for posting and passing on your knowledge. 

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  • 2 months later...

https://www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/item/RMWHXV265F76S3IJRPMF2DILNHLVKB3R

Here's some more information I found, a photo and a letter comprising several pages, which was from a German source enquiring to the Canadians as to the fate of the officers of said regiment. Was not able to copy these but screenshots are possible.

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  • 2 years later...

The classical formula for the varnished finish of helmets was as follows -

  • 30 Teile Schellack
  • 2 Teile Mastix
  • 1 Teil Sandarak
  • 1 Teil venezianischer Terpentin
  • 1 Teil Ricinusöl
  • 145 Teile 25%iger Weingeist (Alkohol)
  • gefärbt mit Anilinschwarz (Nigrosin) oder gebranntem Kinnruß (calziniertem Ölruß, glänzendem Ofenruß)
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