Questions about headgear came from Michael Jones, UK (FE5), Tim Franklin, UK (FE6), Magnus Guild, UK (FE7) and D Drinkhall, UK (FE14). A number of correspondents provided replies at various times and some discussion took place where information was unclear or absent. The following comes from Mark Conrad's translation of Viskovatov, supplemented by further material kindly provided by him. The Life-Guards Infantry Regiments
In 1802 the Life-Guard regiments received the unique helmet (kaska) with high transverse crest. This was discontinued for general use on 19 October 1804, being reserved for parades and special holidays. Thereafter the Life-Guard regiments adopted the same shako as the grenadier regiments for manoeuvres and campaign but with the addition of a band of red/yellow guards lace around the top, which was also a distinction of NCOs in lesser regiments. The 'kaska' was finally abolished on 15 March 1805. So, to answer Michael Jones' supplementary question concerning the head wear of the Life-Guards regiments at Austerlitz, they would have worn the shako. The Life-Guard Jager Battalion replaced the bicorne with the distinctive Jager shako, with the all-round brim, on 16 September 1802, but with the addition of guards lace round the top. This unusual shako was replaced in the Life-Guard Jager by the conventional black cloth shako on 19 October 1804, again with the distinctive lace. An order of 29 December 1812 described the Life-Guard Jager shako as cylindrical, constructed of black felt with guards lace around the top with an orange tuft and pompon. The various types of shakos worn during the period are described in detail below.
The Grenadier, Musketeer and Jager Regiments
The simplest way to approach this seems to be in a chronological order as far as shakos are concerned. First, though, the mitre cap needs to be dealt with.
Grenadier and Fusilier Mitres
1801. Prior to 1805 the personnel of the grenadier and fusilier battalions of grenadier regiments and the grenadier battalions of musketeer regiments wore the mitre cap. The new pattern mitres were authorised first for the Leib-Grenadier Regiment and Pavlovsk Grenadier Regiment on 24 June 1801 and were similar to those worn during the reign of Paul I. The front plate was brass with black edging and embossed with the double-headed eagle device. This black edging continued on the lower edge of the rear head band (from the description and illustration in Viskovatov, this appears to be lining material). The cloth rear crown was attached to the front plate and in the same colour as the collar and cuffs. The trim to the crown was white tape. The rear head band was in the colour of the shoulder straps and bore three brass grenades, one at each side and one at the rear. Pompons varied from regiment to regiment and a complete list of distinctives can be found in Mark Conrad's translation and elsewhere. The fusilier mitre is described as a slightly smaller version (10") of the grenadier mitre without the pompon. Although Viskovatov does not appear to say so, the illustrations seem to show that the crown stood free from the front plate and was supported by brass strainers, as described by other sources.
Shakos
Prior to the introduction of shakos, the musketeer battalions of musketeer regiments and the Jager regiments wore a bicorne. Regimental distinctions varied and a complete list is in Mark Conrad's translation of Viskovatov.
16 September 1802. Jager Regiments. The characteristic Jager shako with the full brim was introduced. Ornaments consisted of an orange and black cockade and the same pompons as worn on the bicorne previously.
19 August 1803. Musketeer battalions of Musketeer regiments. The soldiers' bicorne was replaced by a shako. These were made of quilted black cloth, stiffened with straw, with a detachable leather peak and the lower edge reinforced with black leather. The shako ornaments consisted of an orange and black cockade and the pompons previously authorised for wear with the bicorne.
13 February 1805. Grenadier and fusilier battalions of grenadier regiments and grenadier battalions of musketeer regiments. The grenadier and fusilier mitres worn by the personnel of the grenadier and fusilier battalions of grenadier regiments and the grenadier battalions of musketeer regiments were replaced by a plain black cloth shako. However, the Pavlovsk Grenadier Regiment, as is well known, retained the grenadier mitre which was now, apparently, also worn by the fusilier battalions of this regiment.
Musketeer battalions of musketeer regiments. The same shako also replaced the quilted cloth shako in musketeer battalions of musketeer regiments.
The Shako Ornaments
Grenadier and fusilier battalions of grenadier regiments and grenadier battalions of musketeer regiments. A single-flamed brass grenade and cockade decorated the front and a thick black horsehair plume was fixed above the pompon.
Musketeer battalions of musketeer regiments.
A cockade and pompon as previously specified.
12 June 1805. Fusilier battalions of grenadier regiments. The single-flamed grenade badge was removed from the shakos of fusilier battalions.
26 September 1807. Jager regiments. Jager shakos were replaced by the black cloth shako.
19 December 1807. Shakos were modified by the addition of leather reinforcements to the tops and bottoms and with leather strainers at the sides for all regiments.
14 July 1808. Grenadier battalions of grenadier regiments and grenadier battalions of musketeer regiments. The grenade badge was changed to a three-flamed grenade device for all grenadier battalions.
Fusilier battalions of grenadier regiments and musketeer battalions of musketeer regiments. A single-flamed grenade badge was specified.
11 June 1809. White cords were added to shakos in all regiments.
23 November 1809. New pompons were introduced in all regiments according to the battalion.
9 January 1810. Jager Regiments. A single-flamed grenade badge was authorised.
February 1811. Fusilier battalions of grenadier regiments. For Grenadiers, marksmen and fusiliers of the grenadier battalions of grenadier regiment, the thick black plume was replaced with a slimmer one.
Grenadier companies of musketeer battalions of infantry regiments and Jager battalions of Jager regiments. Grenadiers and marksmen of the grenadier company of musketeer battalions and Jager battalions received the same new plume.
22 February 1811. Colours of pompons were changed according to company and battalion in all regiments.
The marksmen platoon of grenadier companies of musketeer battalions and Jager battalions. The plume previously specified was withdrawn.
1 January 1812. A new shako, commonly called a kiver, with a brass scale-type chin strap, was authorised for all regiments. Ornaments were largely unchanged.
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