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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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