3/ THE SAXON ROYAL HUSSARS

During the 1875 orders of reorganization of the Saxon heavy cavalry Rgts. drove to the conversion of the 1st Reiter Rgts into the1st. Saxon Royal Hussars Rgt Nr.18 and of the 2nd Reiter Rgt into 2nd Saxon Royal Hussars Rgt Nr.19 (see page 5, in Uhlan Nr.6). The 3rd Saxon Royal Hussars Rgt Nr.20, created in 1910 received already an uniform completely felgrau.

a) the colpack and caps
The colpack and the cap were of the Prussian model of which they only deferred by the Felzeichen and the headplate (fig.3.6). The flame of the colpack was ponceau-red to the Rgt.18 and dark crimson red to Rgt.19. It was the distinctive colors of the Rgts of Reiters of which they were descended. The Rgt of Hussars nr.20 received a light-blue colpack flame. The Feldzeichen was white, and green on the center and the back. The plate was a brass star with to the center the Saxon coat of arms of white-metal. It was smaller than those of helmets. The convex chinscalesscales were in brass with under the right boss, the since 1897, the empire cockade.

The white woollen cord for the troop had, for non-commissioned officers, slide and olive mixed white and green. The white parade Busch was vertical since the beginning; and for non-commissioned officers, from 1903 a green basis. Trumpets carried a red Busch.

The officers'colpack followed the Prussian model; with the metal parts either gild or silvered; green velvet garnished silvery Feldzeichen, the silvery cord was mixed green. On parade a white heron plume with a basis of green flat feathers.

Maneuver colpack covers as in Prussia.

Caps of Hussars 18 and 19 were cornflower blue (kornblumenblau) including capband with the yellow pipings to Rgt.18 and white to Rgt.19. In front the Saxon cockade, and above from 1897, the empire cockade. The Hussar Nr.20 wore a feldgrau cap with a cornflower blue capband and white pipings. Over the upper white piping of the headband, another blue piping. (fig.3.1).

b) the Attila
The cuts of the hussar attilas of Rgts.18 and 19 were completely of the Prussian pattern, in cornflower blue color for both Rgts. As difference, the Hussar 18 had yellow braids; those of the Hussar 19 were white. The rosettes in front were covered with cloth until 1904, in Prussia they had already been replaced since 1868 by the metallic rosettes.

The Rgt.20 received since its creation a feldgrau attila with cord braids in the same color. Olives were black and rosettes replaced by spirals in cord (fig.3.2). On the side of the waist, there were a black hook and to the back two black rosettes. On the front of skirt, tilted pocket flaps with flap closed by a black button. Shoulder cords were doubled in white mixed blue with the rgt. Nr. in brass. Buttons of shoulder cords were black with the squadron Nr. (fig.3.4).

The officers' attila of Rgts.18 and 19 were similar to those of the troop but with trims either golden or silver. The cornflower blue of all the Rgts of Saxon cavalry was very clear. Braids and plaits were of the Prussian type. Shoulder cords were mixed of green silk. This attila was called in Saxony: parade attila whereas the so called Interimsattila nominee in Prussia was named service-attila.

The officers'attila of the Rgt.20 was analogous in every respect to the service attila of hussars 18 and 19. Braids were of gray wool mixed of green, rosettes and olives being covered of green-gray (fig.3.3). On the silvery shoulders cords mixed of green : the golden Rgt. Nr. and matt silvery button with crown. (fig.3.5)

c) the service Attila (Interimsattila)
Complétely of the Prussian model, it was of cornflower-blue color (kornblumenblau). Alone the golden mixed cords to the 18th Rgts and silvery ones to the 19th Rgt differentiated them

d) breeches, trousers and boots
The riding breeches were of cornflower blue color with yellow or white strip according to the braids'color. Riding boots as in Prussia; edge of the stem with a strip of yellow or white leather. The Rgt. Nr.20 had a feldgrau breeches with strip of the same color. Riding boots with white strip. Officers' riding breeches had strips either of golden or silvery braid, same boots as to Rgt.19.

Contrary to the Prussian hussars the Saxon hussars carried, only in the garrison, a trousers; for officers only in 1896. It was cornflower-blue with piping of the braid color, to the Rgt.20 : feldgrau with red piping.

Officers of the 18 and 19 Rgts had a trousers for official reception in cornflower blue fabric with plait of the Prussian model but without braid. It was worn on foot in parade dress to the court, to the dance, in presence of the king. No button to the boots.

e) NCOs rank badges
Golden lace either silvery, as in Prussia, for the three Rgtse. Silvered at Rgt.20. Sergeant collar button and wachtmeister as those of the Saxon Schwere Reiters, blackened to the Rgt 20. White and green braid as distinctives on the coat. The Saxon hussars had a sword knot in brown leather with acorn to the color of the squadron. The saber was carried on the side to a white belt.

f) officers shoulder cords
Shoulder cors of officers as those of the Prussian officers had no piping. They were mixed of green. Since 1898 officers of hussars No.18 had the crowned AR of the king Albert cypher; and those of the Rgt.19, from 1902, the C monogram of the widowed queen Carola. Since her death, in 1907 alone officers who already carried it continued to carry it. Those of the Rgt.20 carried the gilt No. of the Rgt..

g) les sabretaches
The ranks had the sabretache of black leather covered of cloth cornflower blue (fig.2.6). The braid was in yellow wool to the Rgt.18 and white to the Rgt.19, with on the inner edge another blue piping. To the middle the AR royal crowned cypher in yellow or white metal; white leather hanging straps with oval buckles. In 1895 a service sabretache has been introduced: in black leather with only the crowned royal monogram. The cloth covered sabretache preserved for parades. The Rgt.20 had no sabretache.

Officers' sabretacheses were in ponceau red leather to Rgt.18 and dark red to Rgt.19 with cornflower blue cloth and braid either golden or silvery. They defered from Prussian sabretacheses by the AR monogram. Hanging straps with either golden silvery braid lined of cornflower blue cloth. The lion head buckles were gilt for both Rgts. In 1895, officers received also a service sabretache .

God-damn ! These puppet dresses were quite mad !           To follow: cavalry, the uhlans