Wurttemberg Leibjäger Garde

The  Wurttemberg Garderegiment zu Pferd had its origins in 1801, when the Garde-du-Corps and Leibjäger squadrons of the Württemberg Reiter Regiment was separated from it and became an independent squadron under the direct command of Duke Frederick. At this time both were small, less than 50 men each. The Leibjagers performed the functions of the Gendarmerie for the Army.

Until 1808, the Leibjägers wore dark  green coats with red lapels, collar, cuffs, and green turnbacks piped yellow. A red cummerbund was worn around the waist. The pants were white, belts black, and the buttons and contra-epaulettes were brass.  A black helmet with a black comb and a brass plate on the front. and a long trailing black horsehair crest was worn. There was a dark green plume at the front of the comb, which was moved to the left side of the helmet in 1805. By this time, the unit was up to a full squadron (146 men). 

The Leibjäger received a new uniform and headgear in late 1808. The new coat was grass green with  a black collar and black square cuffs.  The turnbacks were yellow with a black edging piped yellow at the extreme edge. The front of the coat was decorated with a wide lace welt approximately 6 inches in width of a yellow and black ½ inch checked pattern. The contra-epaulettes were brass. A black cummerbund sash was worn at the waist over the coat. For gala dress a ‘soubreveste’ was worn over the coat of black lacquered cotton faced felt with a silver star of the order of Militär-Verdienst-Ordens on the breast and back. The edges were trimmed with a four deep with of black and yellow checked lace. The cummerbund sash wasn't worn with the soubreveste. This is the uniform depicted in the Funken plates. 

Also in late 1808 the squadron received new raupenhelm style helmets with black leather slightly elongated crown and a very low comb which supported a thick, black wool raupe. The front of the helmet had a brass plate with the Royal coat of arms flanked by the lion and stag supporters. The base of the helmet was trimmed with a brass band. The national cockade of yellow and red was worn on the left side of the raupenhelm. Above the cockade was a dark green plume. This pattern helmet continued to be worn for gala and parade dress until 1814.

In 1809 a new coat was issued for everyday wear and campaign dress, and the short tunic was reserved solely for gala dress. This was a single breasted, grass green long tailed uniform coat, with collar, cuffs and turnbacks faced black. The front of the coat was piped yellow and closed with nine brass buttons and the seams on the tails were piped with yellow. Cuffs were of the square cut pattern with two buttons one on the cuff actual and one above. The collar was decorated with yellow lace edging to the leading and bottom edges. The cuffs were trimmed in yellow at the upper and trailing edges and the turnbacks were also edged yellow. Full fringed yellow epaulettes were worn at the shoulders. This is the uniform seen above. 

In 1809 the Leibjäger rtecieved black bearskin bonnets, without a front plate for wear during campaign. The Leibjäger bearskin had a black cloth patch at the rear with a yellow lace cross and  yellow cords and flounders. A dark green plume was worn on the left side of the bonnet with a small socket conceal behind the national cockade which was now yellow, black and red. The chinscales were brass. Once again, this is as depicted above. 

The shabraque from 1808 on was dark green, with a broad band of yellow and black checks edging it. The officers had red edging with a zigzag yellow lace running through it, a glimpse of which can be seen on some of images of the standard bearer. The flag is speculative at best, the deign being known for only the Garde du Corps squadron. These lovely figures (and the flag) are from Lucas Luber and Piano Wargames in Germany.