![]() ![]() ![]() ĭuring the nineteenth century, the expense of bearskin caps, and difficulty of maintaining them in good condition on active service led to this form of headdress becoming generally limited to guardsmen, bands, or other units having a ceremonial role. The purpose appears to have been to add to the apparent height and impressive appearance of these troops both on the parade ground and the battlefield. Imitating their Prussian counterparts, French grenadiers are described as wearing bearskins as early as 1761. The practice fell into disuse until the second half of the eighteenth century, when grenadiers in the British, Spanish, and French armies began wearing high fur hats with cloth tops, and, sometimes, ornamental front plates. The earliest record of a bearskin cap being worn by soldiers in Europe was during the mid-17th century. The cloth caps worn by the original grenadiers in European armies during the seventeenth century were frequently trimmed with fur. ![]() Main article: Grenadier § Headgear Depiction of the French Imperial Guard wearing their bearskins. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |