Location Münster. Circa 1910. The uniform ensemble consisting of the following pieces:
· Helmet for Reserve Officer Cuirassiers. Elegant, particularly lightweight helmet skull of nickel-plated sheet iron, complete with all fittings in gilt brass. On the front the large gilt and finely crafted line cuirassier eagle, for the Reserve Officer without motto and with applied silver Reserve Cross with the motto “Mit Gott für König und Vaterland 1813”, domed scale chains with cloverleaves and knurled screws, intact leather chin strap. Complete with both cockades in large size. Gilt cross finial with ball screws, tall fluted nickel-plated spike. Interior with brown leather sweatband and golden-yellow silk rep lining, the front visor lined with black leather, the neck guard with black velvet. Size approximately 56. The nickel plating of the helmet only very slightly aged, a small notch on the front right.
· Cuirass for Officers of Line Cuirassier Regiments. Elegant, lightweight cuirass of nickel-plated sheet iron. Gilt rivets and scale chains. The clasps with oak leaf decorations, on the back with applied lion heads. Complete with original waist belt. Interior with original quilted white silk lining, at the arms and neck the black/white cuffs. Lightly worn.
· Koller for Officers. The koller of heavy white cloth of finest quality with ponceau red standing collar and ponceau red “Swedish” cuff slashes, the sleeve seams with ponceau red piping, on the cuff slashes as well as on the collar and on both breast panels the silver-embroidered koller braid with dark red secondary color, on the shoulders the ponceau red shoulder straps with silver braid with black stripes for the epaulettes, as well as the loops and buttons for the shoulder pieces, applied the small epaulettes for the Rittmeister. On the left breast with two loops for orders/decorations. Interior with fine white lining. On the left side a faded stain.
· Pair of Gauntlets for Officers. Elegant white leather gloves with leather gauntlet cuffs. Somewhat stained.
· Breeches for Cuirassier Officers. The breeches of white cloth of finest quality with fine white cloth trim at the waistband, two hip pockets and one watch pocket, with horn buttons.
· Riding Boots for Officers. The elegant tall riding boots of blackened leather, sole length approximately 29.5 cm.
· Cuirassier Pallasch for Officers. Approximately 2.6 cm wide and 86.8 cm long, nickel-plated and double-fullered and etched on both sides blade, on the obverse the Imperial coat of arms, the nickel plating slightly aged. Four-bar brass hilt, stamped on the reverse “953” as well as “Garde stamp”, shagreen grip with intact wire wrapping, finger loop also intact, the hilt slightly loose. Nickel-plated steel scabbard with two ring bands and movable suspension rings, slightly dented. Overall length approximately 103.5 cm.
· On an original “Obermaier Uniformpuppe” headless mannequin from the 1960s.
Good preservation. Condition 2.

A very beautiful and well-preserved artifact of its time which we are very pleased to present to you!

490574

€ 28.000,00

Prussia Uniform Ensemble from the Estate of a Reserve Rittmeister in Kürassier-Regiment von Driesen (Westfälisches) Nr. 4

The Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 was one of the most prestigious cavalry units of the Prussian Army, embodying the military tradition of heavy armored cavalry dating back to the 17th century. Stationed in Münster in Westphalia, this regiment was part of the VII Army Corps and played a significant role in the defense structure of the German Empire.

The cuirassiers represented the elite of Prussian cavalry and were distinguished from other cavalry branches by their characteristic equipment. The cuirass – the eponymous breast and back armor made of nickel-plated sheet iron – was not merely protective equipment but above all a symbol of military tradition and class consciousness. For officers, particularly high-quality, lighter versions were manufactured, featuring gilt fittings, scale chains, and artistic decorations such as lion heads.

The cuirassiers' helmet was a development of the classical Pickelhaube and was distinguished by its special form. The nickel-plated helmet shell was manufactured in particularly light versions for officers. The most important decorative element was the line cuirassier eagle at the front – a finely crafted, gilt Prussian eagle. For reserve officers, this was supplemented by the characteristic Reserve Cross, a silver cross with the inscription “With God for King and Fatherland 1813”, commemorating the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon and honoring the special role of the Reserve in the Prussian military system.

The Prussian Reserve Officer Corps was a distinctive feature of the German military system. Young men with higher education and appropriate social standing could serve as one-year volunteers and subsequently be promoted to reserve officers. They formed an important bridge between civil society and the military and enjoyed high prestige. The fact that they had to procure their equipment themselves often led to particularly high-quality and individually crafted uniform pieces.

The Koller (tunic) was the characteristic garment of the cuirassiers. Made of heavy white cloth, it was worn under the cuirass. The ponceau red (bright red) cuffs and collar were the regimental color of Cuirassier Regiment No. 4. The elaborate silver braid with dark red secondary color on collar, cuff flaps, and breast panels was hand-embroidered and testified to masterful craftsmanship. The epaulettes for the rank of Rittmeister (cavalry captain) were made of silver and identified an experienced officer.

The white cloth breeches and tall black riding boots completed the mounted uniform. This clothing was not only representative but also functionally designed for mounted service. The white leather gloves with gauntlets protected the hands when handling reins and weapons.

The cuirassier Pallasch (broadsword) was the traditional edged weapon of the heavy cavalry. With its long, double-fullered and etched blade, it was both a cutting and thrusting weapon. The nickel plating of the blade and the gilt brass hilt corresponded to regulations for officers' swords. The Imperial coat of arms etched on the reverse side symbolized loyalty to the German Empire. The four-bar hilt with shagreen grip and wire binding was typical of Prussian cavalry Pallasche following the 1889 pattern. The so-called “Guard stamp” and number 953 indicate manufacture by renowned arms manufacturers.

The period around 1910 marked both the zenith and the beginning decline of traditional cavalry. Technological developments – machine guns, artillery, motorized vehicles – would fundamentally change the role of mounted troops just a few years later in World War I. The magnificent uniform of the cuirassiers was already more an expression of tradition and military ceremony than practical combat equipment.

Regiment No. 4 was established in 1815 and received the honorary name after General von Driesen, a distinguished Prussian cavalry officer, in 1860. As a Westphalian regiment, it recruited its men predominantly from the region around Münster. The officers mostly came from the regional nobility or the upper bourgeoisie.

A complete uniform ensemble of a cuirassier officer is today an extraordinary rarity. Most of these precious equipments were separated over time, lost in the World Wars, or destroyed. A complete set from the estate of a reserve Rittmeister documents not only military equipment but also the social position and self-conception of an entire era – the Wilhelmine period, in which military values and traditions shaped society and in which officer status meant the highest social prestige.