Prussian Hussars

Brandenburg Hussars charging at the Battle of Leipzig, 16 October 1813. Original painting by Prof Carl Röchling. Reproduced in Die Deutschen Befreiungskriege 1806-1815 by Prof Müller-Bohn, Published in 1900(?).

Prussian Hussars were famous for their bravery. At the Battle of Heilsberg in 1807, the Prittwitz Hussars charged and captured the Eagle of the French 55th line infantry regiment. At the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, the Mecklenberg-Strelitz Hussars charged and captured the Eagle of the Marines of the Imperial Guard. We should also recall that the fiery Prussian Marshal Blücher - Marshal Vorwärts himself - started his career in the Prussian army as an hussar officer.

1806 - 10 Hussar Regiments each of 10 squadrons. Total of around 150 officers and men per squadron.

1813 - 1814 - 6 Hussar Regiments each of 4 squadrons. Total of around 150 officers and men per squadron.

Regt	Dolman	Facings	Cords/Buttons	Pelisse	Fur Trim (Officers)	(Men)	Sash Cords	Barrel Sash	Sabretasche	Trim
No 1	dark green	red	white	dark green	white	white	red	white	dark green	white
No 2	scarlet	dark blue	white/offrs gold	dark blue	grey	white	dark blue	white	red	white/offrs gold
No 3	dark blue	yellow	yellow	dark blue	white	white	yellow	white	yellow	white
No 4	light blue	red	blue&white/offrs silver	pale blue	white	white	yellow	white	white/offrs light blue	light blue/offrs silver
No 5	black	scarlet	white	black	white	black	red	white	black/offrs red	none/offrs silver
No 6	brown	yellow	yellow	brown	white	white	yellow	white	brown	yellow
No 7	lemon yellow	light blue	white	light blue	black	black	light blue	white	light blue	white
No 8	dark crimson	black	white	dark crimson	black	black	red	white	black	none/offrs silver
No 10	dark blue	yellow	white	dark blue	white	black	crimson	blue	black/offrs blue	none/offrs silver
No 11	dark green	scarlet	yellow	dark green	blue	white	red	white	red	yellow

Note: The shako was introduced in 1804. By 1806, not all regiments had converted to the new headgear. Hence, some regiments wore mirletons while others wore shakos. White plumes for men / white with black base for officers. Regt no 5 wore a death's head badge on the front of their shakos.

Regiment/Designation	Dolman & Pelisse	Collar & Cuffs	Buttons & Cords
Guard	dark blue	red with yellow trim	yellow
No 1 1st Leib Regt	black	red	white
No 2 2nd Leib Regt	black	black	white
No 3 Brandenburg	dark blue	red	white
No 4 1st Silesian	brown	yellow	yellow
No 5 Pomeranian	dark blue	dark blue	yellow
No 6 2nd Silesian	green	red	yellow
No 7	black	red	yellow
No 8	dark blue	light blue	white
No 9	cornflower blue	cornflower blue	yellow
No 10	green	light blue	yellow
No 11	green	red	white
No 12	cornflower blue	cornflower blue	white

Headgear was the shako. This was covered by an oilskin on campaign. Under the oilskin, the shako had a central black and white rosette (black and silver for officers). The 2 Life regiments had a white metal death's head badge. The Guard Hussars had a brass "guard" star badge (silver for officers). Just below the plume, a black and white cockade was worn. Troopers wore a long white plume on parade. Officers wore a long white plume with black base.

Pelisse fur was white for troopers and grey for officers. From 1815, black pelisse fur was also worn by both officers and troopers of the 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 12th regiments.

Sash was in the facing colour with barrels in the button colour. Officers' sashes were silver and black.

The famous Major von Schill at the head of the 2nd Brandenburg Hussars in 1809. The regiment was disbanded in 1809, after Schill's unsuccessful attempt to start an uprising in Northern Germany. This regiment wore the same uniform as the 1st Brandenburg Hussars except that shoulder straps were yellow.

Peter Hofschröer and Bryan Fosten: Prussian Cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars Vols 1 and 2 (Osprey Men-at-Arms)

A Mila: Geschicte der Bekleidung und Ausrüstung der königlichen preussischen Armee