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Uniforms and Equipment of the Old Army - Cavalry - Hussars - The Hussar Cap of Officers

Highly decorated officer of the Prussian mounted Hussars. Original period photograph.
Highly decorated officer of the Prussian mounted Hussars. Original period photograph.
Hussar officers on horseback in greatcoats. Contemporary photographic card.
Hussar officers on horseback in greatcoats. Contemporary photographic card.

The Clothing Regulations for Officers and Medical Officers of the Royal Prussian Army (Berlin 1896) describe on pp. 83 ff. the construction of the hussar cap. Accordingly, it was a cylindrical headframe of haircloth with a base of waxed linen and a dark brown fur covering (seal).

The lower edge was bound with leather. Furthermore, the fur cap had at the front of the top edge a notch for attaching the field badge and the plume.

Additionally, on the outside at the upper edge, at the rear and on the right, it had a 3 cm long eyelet of silver edge-cord interwoven with black silk for fastening the chin cord.

King William of Württemberg in the (parade) uniform of the Life Guard Hussar Regiment. Contemporary photographic card.
King William of Württemberg in the (parade) uniform of the Life Guard Hussar Regiment. Contemporary photographic card.

The kolpak consisted of colored cloth. Since 1912 officers' fur caps were to be made of opossum fur (previously otter fur).

Since 20.08.1860 all regiments wore a patriotic band. This was placed above the death's head on the Leib regiments.

Among the Guard Hussars the patriotic band ran around the tips of the star's rays.

Officer of the Guard Hussar Regiment in parade uniform. Original studio photograph. Photographer: W. Höffert/ Berlin.
Officer of the Guard Hussar Regiment in parade uniform. Original studio photograph. Photographer: W. Höffert/ Berlin.

Reserve officers did not wear the patriotic band, as they had a nickel silver (German silver) or a gold cross on the fur cap.

Reserve officer of the Hussars in fur, with fur cap and turned-up scale chains. Photographer: Höffert/ Berlin. Circa 1900.
Reserve officer of the Hussars in fur, with fur cap and turned-up scale chains. Photographer: Höffert/ Berlin. Circa 1900.
Officer (lieutenant) of the Hussar Regiment Prince Blücher von Wahlstatt (Pomerania) No. 5. Original cdv.
Officer (lieutenant) of the Hussar Regiment Prince Blücher von Wahlstatt (Pomerania) No. 5. Original cdv.
Officer of the Hussars in service uniform. Original KAB. Photographer: Richter/ Elberfeld.
Officer of the Hussars in service uniform. Original KAB. Photographer: Richter/ Elberfeld.

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A Short History of the Imperial Navy - Part 1

The German fleet has a relatively young history; before 1848 it was essentially non‑existent1. There was a lack of a central authority, as existed in Great Britain and France. In Prussia the hesitant construction of a fleet began in the 1840s. The actual first chapter of the German Imperial Fleet, however, began in 18482. Prompted by the Hanseatics and against the background of independence movements in Schleswig‑Holstein, the Frankfurt National Assembly decided to found the German Imperial War Fleet and provided the necessary funds. But, analogous to the political fate of the National Assembly, the small fleet (just equipped and armed) was dissolved again in 1852 (decision of the German Confederation on 01.04.1852) and the ships were sold. At that time the fleet comprised 11 ships and 27 small craft. Some ships were taken over by Prussia. Prussia then intensified its maritime efforts and bought the Jade area in 1853. The naval base Wilhelmshaven was to be established here. At the same time the Admiralty was created as a central and independent command‑administrative authority (AKO of 14.11.1853). A naval department had already been formed within the Prussian War Ministry. As the first Prussian officer, Prince Adalbert received the rank of Admiral of the Prussian coasts. Already in 1852 the Prussian navy had sent a squadron to South America. In 1859 a squadron embarked on an economically motivated voyage to Japan, China and Siam. In 1860 the SMS Frauenlob sank with her entire crew in a typhoon off the Japanese coast. The loss of the SMS Amazone on 21.06.1861 in the southern North Sea was also a terrible blow. With the ship and crew all embarked naval cadets also perished. In 1864 there were minor engagements with the Danish fleet in the German‑Danish War.