In 1806, the cuirassiers stood at 11 line regiments, each of which included 5 squadrons with an overall strength of 37 officers, 75 NCOs, 15 trumpeters, and 720 rank and file, a total of 841 cavalrymen. In addition, since 1798, the cuirassiers also included the regiment of Garde du Corps, which also consisted of 5 squadrons with 37 officers, 70 NCOs, 12 trumpeters, and 660 troopers, a total of 779 men, and the regiment of Gensdarmes, also at 5 squadrons, 34 officers, 80 NCOs, 11 trumpeters and 720 men, a total of 845 men.
From 1790, the cuirass was not worn by the Prussian cuirassiers. Other than that, their uniform had changed little since Frederick's time. It consisted of the tunic, the Kollett, made of white kirsey - with the notable exception of the Regiment von Beeren (No.2) which wore a yellow tunic. Because of this the regiment was known as the Gelbe Reiter (or "Yellow Riders"). The collar of the tunic was a little higher. All the cuirassier regiments had their so-called dragoons shoulder straps trimmed with lace. Since 1803, the tails were smaller and made of cloth and their trimming was also made of cloth instead of braid. The facing colors differed for each regiment. Collar, cuffs, and turnbacks were in regimental colors.
Chart
- (*) The Chemisette, when still worn, was of similar color except Regiment No.2 which had white trim on the chemisette.
(2*) Dark blue chemisette. Side pockets on Kollett on NCOs and troopers (not trumpeters) trimmed with red.
(3*) Kollett, cuffs and chemisettes trimmed with white lace with a blue stripe at both ends and two stripes running within it, forming an oblong.
(4*) Kollett, cuffs and chemisettes trimmed with white and orange striped trim.
Cuirassier regiments No. 12 and 13 were respectively the Garde du Corps and the Gensdarmes and had more elaborate uniforms and regimental distinctions. That of No. 13-the Gensdarmes - does not fit the above table and has to be described as follows. Blue cloth Chemisette, (if worn in 1806?), silver lace on the Kollett, with red cloth trim for NCOs and troopers. There was silver lace on troopers' cuffs. Officers had silver lace on their tunics.
Since 1801, for reasons of economy, the Chemisette, which had been worn underneath the tunic had been eliminated and replaced by a false piece sewn to the bottom of the Kollett and a white Unterkamisol or underjacket.
Officers, NCOs, and trumpeters wore ankle-length leather breeches but the troopers, again for economy, wore kneelength leather breeches. These breeches were painted white. The leg gear was completed with black leather boots with straight spurs and a stiff shaft.
The uniform was completed by a particular tricorn which had been enlarged. The front peak was flatter and the flaps higher than on the previous models, and it was decorated with a black wool cockade. Prior to the 1806 Campaign, horse hair cockades were introduced. The tricorn cords which held the flaps up differed from regiment to regiment. NCOs and trumpeters had black and white cords. The tricorn was finished off with plumes which distinguished the ranks. They were all white for troopers, black-over-white for NCOs, and white-over-black for officers. The white plume had been introduced by Frederick in 1762 to differentiate his cuirassiers from those of the Austrians, who wore a similar uniform at that time. Since 1802, the tricom was held by a black strap and worn with the front peak over the left eye, down over the eyebrows. 12-inch queues were still worn by the cuirassiers. Mustaches were worn by NCOs and troopers but not by officers.
Unlike in the infantry, in 1806, a dark blue singlebreasted, sleeved great coat was part of the cuirassiers' equipment. The collar and the cuffs were of regimental colors.
The main weapon of the cuirassiers was the straight sword with a brass hilt, known as the Pallasch. The Pallasch had a colored leather tassel which was used to distinguish the different squadrons. The scabbard was made of wood with iron fittings. It was covered with leather and was held by a red leather sword belt some 2 inches wide for NCOs and troopers.
The secondary weapon was a carbine. A black leather ammunition pouch was worn on the left side and held by a belt 2 inches wide. That of the Gensdarmes was white with trim on the decoration on their belt. All troopers carried the ammunition pouch, which held 30 rounds. A round plate on the pouch displayed either the royal monogram or the Prussian coat of arms. The Garde du Corps plate displayed the Star of the Order of the Black Eagle, which was replaced in 1803 by a silver star on the flap. A pair of pistols carried in a pair of holsters made of black leather and hanging on both sides of the front saddle completed the armament, which was identical for the dragoons.
The line cuirassiers' sabretache, made of brown leather and covered with a trimmed cloth decorated with the Royal arms, was only worn by the troopers and never by the officers and NCOs. The Garde du Corps' and the Gensdarmes' sabretaches were different and had no cover. That of the Garde du Corps was trimmed in red and silver and had a silver lace monogram. That of the Gensdarmes was similar but with red-and-gold trim and gold lace monogram. The sabretache was held by three short red leather slings attached to the sword belt.
The cuirassiers' uniform was completed by a waist sash in the regimental color and about 5 inches wide, a black neckstock, and white leather gloves. The officers' sash was silver shot with black.
TRUMPETERS
In the Prussian cavalry, trumpeters had elaborate uniforms with specific distinctions. The cuirassiers' trumpeters, who had NCO status, had their white (or yellow) Kollett, and beside the swallows' nests (see drawing) had a trim on the lower edge of the collar, on the top and sides of the cuffs, along both sides of the front of the tunic, on the tail turnbacks, on the arm seams, and on the swallows' nest.
The hat was trimmed red and had a plume of cock feathers only worn on parade. It was red for all the regiments except No 7 which had yellow, No 11, light blue, and No 12, orange, and was further decorated with black and white hat cords.
The trumpeters had long trousers. The trumpet was decorated with cords and tassels.
HORSE FURNITURES
Shabraques and holster covers were of the same pattern for both the cuirassiers and the dragoons and are shown on the adjacent drawing of a cuirassier. Note the royal monogram or eagle in the rear corners of the shabraque which was made of loosely woven cloth with a colored trim (see drawing).
More 1806 Prussian Uniforms Part II: The Cavalry
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Introduction
The Cuirassiers
The Dragoons
Uniform Illustration: Horseman of the Regiment von Beeren (slow: 136K)
Uniform Illustration: Dragoons and Cuirassiers (slow: 105K)
Prussian Uniforms of the 1806 Campaign Part III
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