Potsdam, circa 1910. This is a magnificent and matching ensemble. All pieces in elegant and finest private purchase quality. The fur busby of black bearskin, complete with all fittings. Large high-domed gilt Guard star with surrounding bandeau, domed scale chains on rosettes, on the right the Reich cockade in enlisted man's pattern. The Prussian field insignia of white silk cord with black velvet filling, complete with the chin strap as well as the special parade chin strap of the Leibgarde-Husaren and the white parade plume. The inner lining with brown sweatband, the yellow silk lining somewhat worn. Size approximately 55. With matching forage cap, red with yellow piping and dark blue cap band, complete with both cockades, inside brown sweatband, the brown lining with fine maker's imprint “Uniform Mützen H. Ahlers, Inh. Arthur Ahlers, Potsdam, Brandenburgerstr. 44” with acceptance stamp “5 E 93” (= 5th Squadron, weapon no. 93). With tall hat case for the fur busby and the forage cap. Parade attila, bright red with yellow braiding, on the collar on each side the Prussian lance corporal's buttons, on the collar and cuff flaps with the golden yellow Guard lace. The shoulder straps with buttons of the 2nd Squadron. On the right arm with a chevron for good lance fencing as well as the sleeve badge for signaler, hand-embroidered on red cloth. Inside with red cloth lining. The dark blue dolman with yellow braiding, gilt buttons, the shoulder straps naturally also with buttons of the 2nd Squadron. Collar, button row and cuff flaps with black wool fur. Inside stone-gray lining, the chamber stamps still recognizable with year 1908. Dark blue riding boots trousers for hussars with yellow lace, inside with acceptance stamp of the 2nd Squadron. Sabretache for enlisted men. Private purchase piece of red morocco leather, the pouch in red with yellow wool lace, complete with the black patent leather hanger, the saber sling and the buckle-on belt. Hussar sash with black stripes and black barrel knots. White parade bandolier of patent leather, complete with the cartridge box of black patent leather with applied gilt Guard star. Cavalry sword Model 1889, private purchase piece with nickeled hilt, the blade etched on both sides, on the obverse in cartouche “Leib Garde Hus. Regt.”, on reverse with mounted scene, Guard star and military trophy, black lacquered steel scabbard with fixed ring. A pair of white gloves, complete in box (probably for the hussar sash). All pieces in exceptionally good condition. A truly magnificent group that is very rarely found in this completeness!

With it a pair of officer's boots for hussar officers with spurs, around the top with silver lace and silver-plated barrel button (for the Leibgarde-Husaren Regiment the lace and button should be in gold).

446388

Prussia Complete Uniform Ensemble of a Lance Corporal in the Leibgarde-Husaren-Regiment, 2nd Squadron

The Leib-Garde-Husaren-Regiment (Life Guard Hussars Regiment) represented one of the most prestigious cavalry units of the Prussian-German Army and embodied the military splendor of the Imperial era at its height. This complete uniform ensemble of a Gefreiter (lance corporal) from the 2nd Squadron, dating to approximately 1910, documents not only the extraordinary craftsmanship of military equipment of that period but also the complex hierarchy and tradition of the Kaiser's Life Guard.

The regiment was founded on 21 February 1815 from the Garde-Husaren-Eskadron of the Leichten Garde-Kavallerie-Regiments and three squadrons from the Ostpreußischen National-Kavallerie-Regiments. Initially stationed in Berlin, the unit moved to Potsdam in 1829, where it was housed in the newly built Leibgarde-Husaren barracks on Berliner Straße. The regiment was elevated to Life Guard status on 19 June 1888 when Kaiser Wilhelm II assumed the position of regimental commander. The regiment consisted of four squadrons and belonged to the Gardekorps, serving as part of the Garde-Kavallerie-Division during World War I.

The uniform of the Leibgarde-Husaren-Regiment differed markedly from other Prussian hussar regiments. While the two Leib-Husaren regiments wore the Totenkopf (Death's Head) insignia, the Leibgarde-Husaren-Regiment wore the gilded Guard Star. The Attila, the parade jacket, was fashioned in high red with yellow braiding, while the Dolman, the service jacket, was distinguished by dark blue cloth with yellow braiding and black fur trim on collar, cuffs, and front closure. The regiment retained the pelisse, a fur-trimmed jacket that had been abolished for most Prussian hussars in 1853 but was reintroduced for guard cavalry units.

The Pelzmütze (fur cap) for enlisted ranks was made of black sealskin or bearskin, while officers wore otter fur until 1912, then opossum. This headdress with its magnificent fittings, the large gilded Guard Star and the Prussian Feldzeichen made of white silk cord with black velvet filling, formed the most representative element of the parade uniform. It was completed by the special parade cord of the Leibgarde-Husaren and the white parade plume.

The rank of Gefreiter was the only enlisted rank to which a conscripted soldier could be promoted in the Prussian Army, with the exception of Obergefreiter in artillery. Promotion required recommendation by the unit Captain and endorsement by the regimental colonel. The Gefreiter served as deputy to the Unteroffizier (sergeant) and wore the characteristic Gefreitenknöpfe (Gefreiter buttons) on the collar as rank insignia. This ensemble displays these Gefreiter buttons on the Attila collar as well as shoulder straps with buttons of the 2nd Squadron.

Particularly noteworthy are the functional badges on the right sleeve of the Attila: a chevron for proficiency in lance fighting and the hand-embroidered sleeve badge for Winker (signaler) on red cloth. These decorations document the wearer's military skills and specialized training within the cavalry.

The armament consisted of the Kavalleriedegen Model 1889 (KD 89), which served as the standard cavalry sword for all light cavalry troopers of the Imperial German Army from 1889 until after World War I. Produced as a privately purchased piece, the blade shows etching on both sides: on the obverse a cartouche with the inscription “Leib Garde Hus. Regt.,” on the reverse a cavalry scene, the Guard star, and weapon decoration. The black lacquered steel scabbard with rigid ring completed this representative weapon.

The complete equipment included the Säbeltasche (sabretache) made of red Saffian leather with yellow wool braid, the white parade bandolier of lacquered leather with the cartridge box of black lacquered leather bearing the applied golden Guard star, and the hussar sash with black threads and black toggles. The Potsdam uniform maker H. Ahlers, Inh. Arthur Ahlers, Brandenburgerstr. 44 produced the peaked cap, as documented by the manufacturer's stamp. The chamber stamp in the Dolman bears the year 1908, confirming the dating of the ensemble to around 1910.

The regiment participated in the Wars of German Unification of 1864, 1866, and 1870-71, as well as World War I. The elaborate dress uniforms with bearskin caps were worn on parade and into the early stages of World War I but were later replaced by field gray uniforms and steel helmets. After the Armistice of Compiègne, the Leib-Garde-Husaren-Regiment was demobilized and dissolved in January 1919 in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles, which severely limited German military forces. The Kaiser's abdication also eliminated the rationale for a Life Guard unit. The regiment's traditions were carried on in the Reichswehr by the 6th Squadron of the 5th (Prussian) Cavalry Regiment stationed in Potsdam, as decreed by General Hans von Seeckt on 24 August 1921.