1806 Prussian Infantry
Dated: December 3 2007.
Enclosed, please find some Prussian figures from set Nr. 8135 and 8136, added to 8083 set. This figures represents the whole regiment with Musketeers, Musketeers Shaprshooters and Grenadiers, their officers, NCO´s and Flag bearers.
The linen trousers issued for wearing over white breeches were originally grey, but faded with wear and washing. The Musketeers' peculiar type of bicorne hat was introduced about 1798. „Musketeer", in the Prussian service, was the common dogface infantry, equivalent of the French fusilier. Regiments facings were officialy „pinkish-red". The odd grenadier cap, dating from 1799, has the black, 2-headed Prussian eagle on its brass plate. The brass „flaming grenade" above it, and the white plume were grenadiers´ distinctions. Note the regimental white-and-blue lace on their sleeves, the red cravat which was an affection of senior regiment, and band of facing color at the back of the cap. The sword knot´s pattern varied from regiment to regiment.
NCO´s were the backbone of the Prussian Army. The indication of his grade are very evident - silver or yellow (gold) lace binding to his hat and on his cuffs, his „kurzgewehr", the Prussian version of a half pike (reportedly it was about 10 feet long) and his gauntlets. Most distinctive, from the private´s viewpoint, was the cane, (hanging from the top button of his right lapel) which functioned as a summary court martial - always for said privates´good, of course.
The Regiments each carried two flags per battalion. The first flag of the first battalion was the Leibfahne, the second a Regimentsfahne. The second battalion had two Regimentsfahnen. The flags all measured 140cm on the staff by 120cm on the fly and in most cases the staff head was gilt. Ribbons and tassels were silver with black stripes.
With Best Regards from Slovakia
Peter Styk
Many thanks to Mr. Peter Styk.