tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post8823134200426190596..comments2024-03-28T03:54:43.092-04:00Comments on Blunders on the Danube: Hessen-Darmstadt ChevaulegersGonsalvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-18723584952587266132023-05-29T19:55:29.190-04:002023-05-29T19:55:29.190-04:00Unfortunately, Mr Rawkins passed away about 2 year...Unfortunately, Mr Rawkins passed away about 2 years ago, and the status of his books is uncertain pending settlement of his estate. I searched for an Army or Wart Museum in Darmstadt, but the closest thing I could find was the Library of the TU (technical University) in Darmstadt; most likely there is a combined museum or library with one or more of the former smaller German states. As noted, in 1809, at least, the musicians were professionals, and thus likely not aristocrats; the Guard was largely ceremonial, and thus parades and state occasions would have been amongst their duties. It also could have been that he was a trumpeter in the line cavalry, which underwent multiple name changes prior to 1806. Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-10095676288801237252023-05-29T19:11:12.569-04:002023-05-29T19:11:12.569-04:00Thank you for such a thorough reply! I wonder at ...Thank you for such a thorough reply! I wonder at the accuracy of the claim he was in the horse-guards, since he was the son of a hatter and after his service became a preceptor in Gettenau, with no hint of aristocracy that we can discern. I imagine if accurate, there's quite a story behind the man which is now lost to time. Unfortunately the only clarification regarding his service is that he was stationed in Bessungun near Darmstadt in 1798, when his eldest son was born. I'll look into picking up a copy of the relevant Rawkins book.<br /><br />Thanks again! <br />ayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746229533299028231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-59327378608401465742023-05-29T11:04:26.335-04:002023-05-29T11:04:26.335-04:00MUSICIANS Virtually nothing has been found regardi...MUSICIANS Virtually nothing has been found regarding the uniforms of the trumpeters of the Garde du Corps after 1792. The only representation of musicians uniforms found is from a Knotel plate for the beginning of the period. It is believed by Dr. L Schumman of Mannheim, with whom the author corresponds regularly that the older coats for both the trumpeter and kettle drummer may have been retained as late as 1803 with the bearskin bonnets replaced with bicorn hats. After that date coats would probably have been as for the gala coat for the men but with swallowsnest epaulettes and possibly the ‘wings’ attached to the shoulder cords at the rear of the coat.<br />The Garde du Corps definitely employed a mounted kettle drummer and six trumpeters in 1809 all of whom were professional musicians and had only ceremonial duties. <br /><br />Rawkins has images of the Guards du Corps uniforms, and the 1792 Trumpeter's uniform if you're interested. Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-48484976620392192622023-05-29T11:01:03.439-04:002023-05-29T11:01:03.439-04:00BREECHES, ETC An old fashioned long waistcoat was ...BREECHES, ETC An old fashioned long waistcoat was worn with the 1792 pattern kollet of poppy-red. The coat was the same length as the tunic with squared bottom edge trimmed at the edges with wide white lace and closed at the breast with concealed hooks. This older style veste was replaced sometime before 1799 with a shorter waist-coat of the same colour as the kollet with red and white edging and small pockets at the waist. In 1795 the Garde du Corps received ponceau coloured kummerbund sashes which were worn over the coat and sword belt at all times.<br />Breeches were initially white but by 1795 had been changed to light buff to match the coat and were worn with high, cuffed riding boots which were retained for the gala dress after 1809. The breeches worn with the blue 1809 coat were Prussian blue and decorated with a white lace spearhead loop at the top of the thigh and a narrow white lace stripe on the outer seam. New boots were issued for wear with the dienst-anzug order, knee length with shaped tops with screw-in spurs which could be removed for indoor duties.<br />No details have been found of the Garde du Corps greatcoats except that both coats and riding cloaks were probably issued after 1809, for dismounted and mounted duties, and these were dark blue. Prior to 1809 white riding cloaks would seem to have been worn in inclement weather. Deep cuffed whitened with gauntlets were worn with all orders of dress and white cotton wrist gloves for court dress.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-56451738853467315282023-05-29T10:59:28.984-04:002023-05-29T10:59:28.984-04:00COAT The coat worn until 1807 had remained virtual...COAT The coat worn until 1807 had remained virtually unchanged since the 1770s and emulated the Prussian Garde du Corps uniform of the day. The short coatee, or kollet, was a light buff colour with a fall collar of poppy-red trimmed with a double band of white on the leading and bottom edges. The front of the coat was closed with small concealed hooks and was trimmed with a wide ponceau lace welt with two white vertical bands on either side of the coat. The coat was cut square at the bottom and the corners folded back into turnbacks of ponceau with a double white band of trim, forming small tails which sat on the hips and left a large inverted V open at front and rear. <br /><br />The cuffs were of the Swedish pattern and very deep, and were ponceau with white trim to the upper and trailing edge. The coat was without shoulder-straps. In 1807 the coat was modernised and received an upright collar of ponceau with white double band of trim to the upper and leading edges, cuffs became smaller and coat colour shoulder-straps with a pewter button were added. The turnbacks which had been previously fastened back with loops and a button were now stitched into position.<br />In 1808 orders were issued for the Garde du Corps to receive a new ‘dienst-anzug’, everyday service dress uniform, and the buff coats were now reserved for ‘gala uniform’ for state occasions and parades. The new coat issued in 1809, was Prussian blue and of the ‘surtout’ style single breasted with long tails. The front of the coat was closed with concealed hooks and decorated with white lace batons extending from the sleeve line to the centre of the coat. Each litzen had a small button and tassel at the outer tip. The collar was upright and coloured ponceau and was decorated with a single, long horizontal white baton with button and tassel at the rear tip. The cuffs were of the plain style and ponceau with two long vertical batons of white lace, extending almost to the elbow with buttons and tassels at the upper tips. The turnbacks were Prussian blue piped ponceau and the tips held with a small ponceau tab with two small white metal buttons. The shoulders were decorated with the same style of contra-epaulette as worn by the line infantry, Prussian blue underlain and trimmed with the facing colour and appear to have been permanently stitched to the coat. This coat continued to be worn until 1814.<br />In 1809 the Garde du Corps were officially designated ‘Kürassier’, and were issued with plain steel cuirass and back plate for ‘campaign uniform’ which mostly consisted of mounted escort duties outside of the palace precincts. The edges of the armour were trimmed with poppy-red felt and the shoulder scales were steel with a red leather backing.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-85403648277398976462023-05-29T10:57:01.035-04:002023-05-29T10:57:01.035-04:00HEADGEAR The hat worn by the Garde du Corps in 179...HEADGEAR The hat worn by the Garde du Corps in 1792 was a black bicorn hat with plain black tape trim to the edges and white hat tightener with small white tassels at the tips. The front of the hat was decorated with a large black silk bow cockade as worn by officers with a white cockade strap and pewter button. In 1795 the tassels on the tighteners were changed for coloured wool ‘tabs’ of red within white as worn by other Hessian regiments. Plumes were white until 1799 when they became white with a red tip denoting the elite ‘officer’ status of the guardsmen. In 1809 a new more modern version of the bicorn hat was issued with a large red within white rosette cockade replacing the silk bow a long white cockade-strap and plumes were initially white with a red tip for ‘gala’ uniform and black with a red tip for the ‘dienst-anzug’ , or service uniform.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-60527991899000262102023-05-29T10:56:12.883-04:002023-05-29T10:56:12.883-04:00Here's what Rawkins has to say about the Horse...Here's what Rawkins has to say about the Horse Guards ( seperate unit from the Chevaulegers):<br /><br />THE GARDE DU CORPS<br />ORGANISATION In 1792 the Hesse-Darmstadt cavalry arm consisted of the newly formed ‘Landgraf von Hesse Chevauleger-Regiment’ and the ‘Garde du Corps’. The Garde du Corps had it’s origins in the cavalry regiments of the 1750s but had been little more than a ceremonial palace guard since 1768. The Garde du Corps squadron was an anomoly, even for the ultra conservative Hessian army. The squadron was recruited exclusively from the nobility with all guardsmen ranking as officers even though their rank within the Garde du Corps might be only trooper or sergeant. In 1799 the ranks of the Garde du Corps contained several young aristocrats under 17 and an equal number of elderly retired generals over the age of seventy. The squadrons strength was officially 151 offciers and guardsmen but in practice no more than 50 were actually on duty on a day to day basis the remaining personnel being furloughed and only mustered for parades and cermonial revues. Primarily they provided the guard for the Landgrave’s palace and an escort when he travelled. The squadron was divided into two ‘companies’, one ‘on duty’ and the other ‘off duty’ to provided a 24 hour guard for the palace.<br />GARDE DU CORPS ESTABLISHMENT 1799-1814<br />1 Generalmajor (Commandant)<br />1 Oberst<br />2 Major<br />1 Adjutant<br />2 Rittmeister (Captains)<br />4 Ober-Leutnant<br />4 Unter-Leutnant<br />1 Feldwebel<br />4 Sergeants<br />4 Korporals<br />2 Trompet (6 from 1809)<br />125 Troopers<br />The Garde du Corps saw no active service during the period of the revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and in 1814 is reported as stabling only 30 mounts for all ranks at the Grand Ducal palace in Darmstadt.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-15397089924742566442023-05-28T23:58:10.152-04:002023-05-28T23:58:10.152-04:00Great work. Would the uniform of the trumpeter be...Great work. Would the uniform of the trumpeter be appropriate for ~1797? I understand the uniforms evolved over time, but I'm struggling to find sources since it's not my era. I'm trying to form an impression of my wife's ancestor who we've just discovered was a trumpeter with the Hessen-Darmstadt horse-guards in that year.ayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746229533299028231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-71762023482462516592023-01-22T09:59:53.870-05:002023-01-22T09:59:53.870-05:00Thanks, joe. I don't recall seeing the Retreat...Thanks, joe. I don't recall seeing the Retreat models, but I would think they were pretty swaddled up!Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-65676567696246738452023-01-22T04:58:37.290-05:002023-01-22T04:58:37.290-05:00Such nice models, an excellent paint job on them....Such nice models, an excellent paint job on them. I might like these more than the ones I painted for the Retreat from Moscow range. Certainly more dashing!pancernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09108442113999809459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-52211028350132518132023-01-20T07:13:37.260-05:002023-01-20T07:13:37.260-05:00Glad you like them, Mark! I had been waiting for ...Glad you like them, Mark! I had been waiting for someone to do this unit as well. All of the Wurttemburgers and Hessians are listed for sale on his website now. Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-52997513173127224822023-01-20T02:04:06.975-05:002023-01-20T02:04:06.975-05:00And great history there too cheers!And great history there too cheers!Chasseurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919997382932080898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-53535227677410661952023-01-20T02:03:46.236-05:002023-01-20T02:03:46.236-05:00Wonderful definitely on my to buy list, been waiti...Wonderful definitely on my to buy list, been waiting for these for some years! :)Chasseurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919997382932080898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-54613407617175960632023-01-15T21:35:29.076-05:002023-01-15T21:35:29.076-05:00Thanks, I was happy with how they came out!Thanks, I was happy with how they came out!Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-92057948796285386582023-01-15T20:44:18.070-05:002023-01-15T20:44:18.070-05:00I couldn't fault them, excellent work.I couldn't fault them, excellent work.uiduach OBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15343510770280547569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-38891362299609599552023-01-15T17:32:41.154-05:002023-01-15T17:32:41.154-05:00Thanks; the monogram is sculpted on!Thanks; the monogram is sculpted on!Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-38194521251865741412023-01-15T17:32:10.622-05:002023-01-15T17:32:10.622-05:00Lucas does great horses, and they are indeed very ...Lucas does great horses, and they are indeed very substantial!Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-58042876190179764672023-01-15T16:55:43.103-05:002023-01-15T16:55:43.103-05:00They look a very dashing unit Peter. Lovely touch ...They look a very dashing unit Peter. Lovely touch with the monogram on the shabraques.nundankethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12895608927860103442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-51326565664825939182023-01-15T14:48:52.178-05:002023-01-15T14:48:52.178-05:00Great job Peter. I'm keen to clear some space ...Great job Peter. I'm keen to clear some space in my painting queue so I can get stuck into these myself. The think I particularly like are the horses, which seem like quite robust figures with some beautiful detail.Lawrence Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11626386564817082992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-73605287794650288312023-01-15T09:22:22.301-05:002023-01-15T09:22:22.301-05:00I think not! :-)
Thus far, I plan to stick with 2...I think not! :-)<br />Thus far, I plan to stick with 25/28's for everythingGonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-26078922201040454912023-01-15T09:15:03.757-05:002023-01-15T09:15:03.757-05:00Those are really excellent indeed. Try painting th...Those are really excellent indeed. Try painting that detail on 10mm :-) Sgt Steinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17805201299484374889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-67925829383716227702023-01-15T08:06:35.189-05:002023-01-15T08:06:35.189-05:00Thanks, Keith. Und was is los mit der Deutsche? :-...Thanks, Keith. Und was is los mit der Deutsche? :-)<br />I use the same system for painting horses that Joe does, originally posted by "Mr. Tin" over 20 years ago. I can't find it on line anymore, so I guard my printout carefully!<br />The Chevau-leger lanciers are another favorite uniform; I have always especially liked the light blue facings of the 5th regiment, which for me have invariably been tigers on the (miniature) battlefield. The colors of all 6 regiments look good, though. I really dislike the Imperial Livery, so mine all have the trumpeters in reversed colors and white caterpillar crests, with the Elite company in scarlet crests. Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-56859679698390560602023-01-15T07:59:32.628-05:002023-01-15T07:59:32.628-05:00They are superb sculpts, and the castings are almo...They are superb sculpts, and the castings are almost completely flash free. Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-91549847795584960172023-01-15T07:58:40.281-05:002023-01-15T07:58:40.281-05:00Merci, Phil!Merci, Phil!Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-69434319739060973312023-01-15T07:58:23.787-05:002023-01-15T07:58:23.787-05:00Thanks, Jon. It's a regiment I have been eager...Thanks, Jon. It's a regiment I have been eager to do for a long time!Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.com