Hussard Uniform
Guidelines
Necessary Items for Participation
Ventements (Clothing)
Armament (Weapons)
Harnachement (Horse Furniture)
Regimental colors
The 1eme, 5eme and 7eme Régiments proudly wear the uniform of the hussard as described by the 1806 and 1807 campaigns. This uniform was worn at Jena, Eylau, Friedland, Heilsburg, Watterdorf, Stettin and Königsberg. It was the uniform worn by the hussards in the famous pursuit of the Prussians over 1,160 kilometres where the hussards captured a great number of prisoners.
Each hussard regiment wore a uniform that was similar in style but different in base cloth, facing and lace colors. The uniforms were all extremely colorful and bright. The hussards considered themselves superior and more dashing to 'mere' chausseurs. They took great pride in their appearance and so were not ones to follow the regulations word for word but instead took the lead from the way that their Colonel dressed.
Uniform: Règlement de 1804. Enactment of these regulations covers the period from 1804 to 1812. We can consider the enactment of the regulations to be adhered to by mid 1805. Nevertheless there must have been modifications and items from previous eras that remained in use and some other items that were never fully regulated.
Items of concern to a hussards uniform:
a. Stable Duties: veste d'ecurie (stable jacket), pantalons d'ecurie (stable trousers), bonnet de police (fatigue cap), bottes (boots).
b. Tenue d'exercise - veste d'ecruire or dolman, bonnet de police, la giberne
et banderole (cartridge box and belt),
sabre and sabretache, pantalons d'ecruire or charivari (campaign trousers),
ceinturon, gants (gloves), bottes.
c. Tenue de service - dolman (square bottomed short-tailed coat), le
shako de cavalerie
(cavalier's model shako) or colback (bearskin), la giberne
et banderole, charivari, sabre and sabretache, bottes, gants.
d. Tenue de route - dolman, possibly gilet (manteau carried rolled up on the
horse unless cold), pelisse as a jacket if cold, le shako or colback with the
flame tucked in, the plume in either the portemanteau or covered with oil cloth,
the cords in the portemanteau, la giberne, sabretache covered with
protective leather, sabre, charivari, ceinturon, bottes, gants, portemanteau
strapped on the horse.
e. Grande tenue - dolman and pelisse draped over the left shoulder (manteau
rolled up in front of the saddle), le
shako or colback with the flame out and the plume and cords, la giberne, culotte hongroise,
ceinture echarpe over the dolman,
bottes over the culottes, gants, sabre and sabretache without the cover,
portemanteau strapped behind the saddle.
1. Dolman or veste d'ecurie (stable jacket)
2. Charivari (campaign trousers), culotte Hongroise (parade trousers) or pantalons d'ecurie (stable pants)
3. Sabre, ceinturon and sabretache (either campagne or grande tenue).
4. Shako, colback (for Compagnie d'Elite troops) or Bonnet de police (fatigue cap). If you do not have diamond plate the shako should be covered in waxed linen, oilskin or leather cover.
Dolman:
A short waisted jacket with 18 rows of 1/2 round buttons, in 5 columns (only 3
for the 5eme hussards). It has 72 (36 for 5eme) small buttons and 18
large ones with loops to close the jacket. The dolman body, collar,
cuffs and braiding vary by regiment (see regimental colors). The dolman is
usually worn closed.
Veste d'Ecurie (Stable Jacket):
A regimental colored plain jacket that fits looser than the dolman and
pelisse. It has 10 brass (or wood) buttons down the front and 2 on each cuff.
It is worn in camp when training or performing stable duties. It can
be worn on the field at a reenactment if funds are tight or the tailor cannot
make the dolman in time.
Pelisse:
A jacket similar to the dolman except that it is edged in black sheepskin and
only the top 4 loops can be used to close it. It is worn for parade
dress over the dolman. It is usually secured on the left shoulder by a length
of doubled-over cord and is passed over the right shoulder and looped about a
toggle sewn to opposite side of the collar. If the weather is cold,
it can be worn as a jacket. The pelisse's color is dependent on the
regiment.
Gilet:
A sleeveless vest that is in wool with real pockets and can be either plain
or edged with yellow tape. It is closed with either plain small brass buttons
or ones that are in columns and braid identical to the dolman. It is worn under
the dolman or pelisse, when the pelisse is worn as a jacket. It is also
worn in camp with the shirt, cravate and charivari (campaign trousers).
Shirt:
A standard 18th century style workshirt in linen. It has a tall collar,
long sleeves of moderate fullness and long square body. It is worn with a
black linen cravate that is wrapped around the neck and tied in a square knot.
Charivari (Campaign Trousers):
Trousers with reinforcement of leather down the inside leg and cuffs. They
have 18 buttons down each side which can be completely opened and pockets that
button. The colors are determined by each regiment. These are worn
with the dolman and would be worn over the culotte hongroise while on campaign.
Pantalons d'Ecurie (Stable Pants):
Plain trousers cut the same as the charivari in a rough, unbleached
cloth. They have 18 buttons down each leg and have no pockets.
They are worn with the stable jacket while doing stable duties and training.
Culotte Hongroise (Parade Trousers):
These pants have lace ornamenting the outer seams and edges of the front flap
which disguise a button-up fly. The wool and lace colors are based
on the regiment. These trousers are worn with the dolman and pelisse
for the Grande Tenue.
Manteau (Cloak):
An ankle-length cloak with a short shoulder cape attached and a standing
collar. It has a vent at the center back to allow it to be worn while
riding. It is worn in cold weather or in the evening.
Bonnet de Police (fatigue cap):
A type of stocking cap of regimental colors. It has wide tape and a flame
or stocking part edged with square cord. There is a tassel at the end of
the stocking. The stocking part is tucked into the cuff with the
tassel hanging in front when on duty. When off duty, it is untucked and
hung to the left.
It is worn in camp when neither the shako (or colback) is worn.
Regulations stated that headgear must be worn at all times.
Shako:
A bell-shaped, black felt hat with a leather top and visor. It
has a diamond plate with the regimental number punched out, a cockade which is a
leather painted roundel, chin scales which are a leather strap with brass scale
cover and
"star" bosses holding them onto the shako.
Colback:
Bearskin head gear worn by compagnie d'elite troops. It has a wool flame edged in cord
with a tassel. It has cords for the trim and chin scale straps to tie it
on. It is worn in battle and in the parade. It is the headgear of
the 7eme Régiment de Hussards, Compagnie d'Elite.
Bottes: (boots)
Black Hungarian style boots with edged borders with piping of lace and a tassel.
They also have 12 to 16 ridges in the front of the ankle to enable them to bend.
Officers may have different colored boots.
Sabots:
Clogs that are worn for fatigue duties.
Gants:
White, wrist length gloves.
Ceinture Echarpe:
The barrel-sash worn over the dolman. The color
and style vary by regiment. It is made of braid in 2 different
colors.
Giberne:
Leather cartridge box. Porte-Giberne: Buff belt for holding cartridge box.
Ceinturon:
The sword belt used to carry the sabre and the sabretache. It is made of
white leather and brass buckles.
Sabretache:
A Leather pouch hung to the left from the sword belt used to carry the necessary supplies while scouting
(notepad, pen and handkerchief) and to identify the regiment of the hussard. The flap has a cloth cover that is
elaborately embroidered with the regimental number. This cloth cover
was the pride of the regiments and very colorful. While on campaign, this
cloth would be covered with leather which has the eagle, crown and number of the
regiment. The hussard may also have had a second sabretache that was
only leather with the eagle, crown and number for campaigns.
Sabre:
An XI sabre. A curved sword with a brass hilt and steel scabbard. This weapon was the
primary weapon of the Hussard.
Mousqueton:
1786 style was most common although it gave way to the Year IX
model. The mousqueton was carried by
regular troops. NCOs, trumpeters and officers carried pistols.
Pistols:
1777 model was common but other varieties were seen. Every hussard
was issued at least one pistol but when there was a shortage, the officers took
precedence.
Cheval (Horse):
A hussard is nothing without his horse. As was once said, 'the horse
should be viewed as the cavalryman's best friend'. For reenactments,
a horse can be rented if one is not available. Learning to ride well
and to care for the horse is fundamental to becoming a Hussard.
Selle:
A hungarian pattern saddle with a wooden tree. A wool saddle blanket
is placed under the saddle to help protect the horse's back.
Etrier:
The stirrups that are used. These are made of iron and bell
shaped.
Poitrail:
A hungarian pattern leather breast plate with a brass heart at the horse's
chest. It was used to stop the saddle from slipping backwards on the
horse.
Croupier:
A hungarian pattern crouper that is attached to the saddle and hooks around the
horse's tail. The croupier is used to prevent the saddle from
slipping forwards on the horse.
Mors de Bride and Bride de
Troupe:
A black leather bridle with iron fittings. The bridle would have 2
bits: the curb bit with a chain, and a bridoon bit. Therefore, there
would be two sets of reins. As reenactors, we only use the curb bit
as it gives the greater control and does not require us to ride with 4 reins in
one hand. The reins are held in the left hand so that the right arm
is free to carry the mousqueton or the sabre.
Licol:
A hungarian pattern leather halter that is used to keep control of the horse
when the bits are removed from the horse's mouth. The licol remains
on the horse at all times and ensures that he can be tied safely during rest
periods.
Schabraque:
A sheepskin that covers the saddle. It is trimmed in the regimental
color. The shabraque is held in place by a surcingle.
Surfaix:
A hungarian pattern leather surcingle that is used to secure the schabraque to
the saddle.
Portemanteau:
A cylindrical valise strapped behind the cantle of the saddle. It
has round ends edged in lace and the regimental color. It is used to
carry the hussards equipment such as spare shirts, grooming supplies and
underwear.
Fontes:
A pair of leather pistol holders are attached to the tree. They sit
on the pommel of the selle.
Other leathers:
A leather case is used for pocketing spare shoes so that if a horse loses a
shoe, it can be remedied quickly. There are also leather straps for
securing the portmanteau, manteau and mousqueton.
| 1eme | 5eme | 7eme | |
| Pelisse | Wool is dark celestial blue, braiding and lace are white, buttons are pewter. | Wool is white, braiding and lace is lemon yellow, buttons are brass. | Wool is dark green, Braiding and lace is daffodil yellow, buttons are brass. |
| Dolman | Wool is dark celestial blue, braiding and lace are white, collar is celestial blue, cuffs are scarlet. | Wool is sky blue, braiding and lace are yellow, collar is blue and cuffs are white. | Wool is dark green, braiding is yellow, collar is scarlet and cuffs are scarlet. |
| Gilet | Wool is scarlet. | Wool is scarlet. | Wool is scarlet. |
| Culotte Hongroise | Wool is dark, celestial blue, lace is white. | Wool is sky blue, lace is lemon yellow. | Wool is scarlet, lace is daffodil yellow. |
| Charivari | Wool is dark celestial blue, trim is scarlet. | Wool is sky blue, trim is lemon yellow. | Wool is dark green, trim is scarlet. |
| Bonnet de Police | Wool is dark celestial blue, trim is white, tassel is white. | Wool for body is sky blue, wool for stocking part is white, trim is yellow, tassel is yellow. | Wool for body is red, wool for stocking part is dark green, trim is yellow, tassel is yellow. |
| Manteau | Wool is dark celestial blue. | Wool is sky blue. | Wool is dark green. |
| Veste d'ecurie | Wool is dark celestial blue. | Wool is sky blue. | Wool is dark green. |
| Schabraque | Trim is scarlet. | Trim is sky blue. | Trim is scarlet. |
| Portemanteau | Wool is dark celestial blue, trim is white, number is in white. | Wool is sky blue, trim is lemon yellow, number is in lemon yellow. | Wool is dark green, trim is daffodil yellow, number is in daffodil yellow. |