Although dragoons along with lancers were classed as medium cavalry in French service, they were light in Prussia. As such they were, like the hussars, armed with a curved saber and a short carbine. They had been dressed in a light blue color in place of white shortly after the Second Silesian War (1744-46), and this color continued through several changes of cut until the field gray uniform replaced it for active service just before WWI. In our period it was worn with Swedish cuffs (no flap) in their distinctive colors. Some paint companies produce a dragoon light blue color, but I have always used a 50/50 mix of white and Prussian blue, varying the mix for shades and highlights. In the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars the number of dragoons was cut to four, but a first and (in 1860) a second guard regiment were added and the number gradually built up to 16 (same number as hussars) on the eve of WWI.

I have the impression that the junior regiment (No. 16) was the Schleswig Dragoons added between 1866 and 1870 with the incorporation of Schleswig-Holstein into Prussia. Also that this regiment was part of the celebrated Brigade von Bredow in 1870 along with the 7th Cuirassiers and the 16th Uhlans.

The role of that regiment in the famous Todesritt at Vionville is illustrative. While some authorities outside of Prussia suggested that mixed brigades of light and heavy cavalry were obviously for recruitment and maintenance since the roles differed widely, this was not the case. To preserve the dash of the uhlans and cuirassiers the heavy cavalry were not issued shoulder arms. However, as far back as Frederick the Great it had been recognized, albeit with suitable regret, that occasions for dismounted action would occur. Thus it was considered necessary to provide every sizable body of cavalry with some carbine armed light horse. And contrary to THEY DIED FOR GLORY, those carbine armed types were fought dismounted on occasion.

At Tischnowitz during the pursuit from Koeniggraetz to Bruenn a force of dragoons repulsed the charge of a sizable force of Austrian horse with dismounted carbine fire. And at Vionville Bredow sent of his dragoons to sweep a nearby woods as dismounted skirmishers while he formed up his uhlans and cuirassiers for the famous charge.

One might suspect, of course, that Bredow had other reasons for that action. He definitely had misgivings about charging machine-guns and breachloading rifles. And his dragoons were new conscripts who had only been Prussians for a few years. He may have decided that it would be nice for some of his brigade to survive the battle-and had some reasonable doubts about how the new fellows would function in a "Death Ride."

Tunic: Sky blue, single breasted w/red Swedish cuffs piped in regimental facing colour. Eight brass buttons down the front. Self coloured collar w/collar tab in facing colour.
Overalls: Dark grey w/side stripe
Headgear: Picklehaube with brass scales & yellow metal fittings. Brass eagle on front. A feldmutz was worn, sky blue with broad red cap-band.
Greatcoat: Dark grey
Shabraque: Sky blue w/narrow piping
Belts, swordsling; white leather
Cartridge box: black
Sword: 1852 Cavalry sabre

Regiment	Facings	Buttons
1st Guard Dragoons	red	yellow
2nd Guard Dragoons	red	white
1st Dragoons	red	yellow
2nd Dragoons	black	white
3rd	pink	white
4th	pale yellow	white
5th	red	yellow
6th	black	white
7th	pink	yellow
8th	yellow	yellow

-Finis-

More Prussian Cavalry 1870-71

Prussian Cavalry 1870-71: Uhlans
Prussian Cavalry 1870-71: Cuirassiers
Prussian Cavalry 1870-71: Hussars
Prussian Cavalry 1870-71: Dragoons
Prussian Cavalry 1870-71: Illustrations (50K)