~ Circa 1800 Childs Hussars Uniform ~
Here we have something truly unique. A uniform of a French Hussar made for a child, presumably this would have been worn by the son of an officer on ceremonial occasions or for show.
The uniform consists of a full hussar uniform, the tight fitting dolman jacket, the fur lined pelisse jacket worn over the left shoulder, the cavalryman’s trousers and a shako.
The uniform is faded but looks to have started out as a pale blue pale blue with what looks to have been originally gold piping down the front of the Dolman, the buttons are brass, the trousers are the same colour. The jacket is a slightly stronger blue colour with a fur trimming and with the piping less faded with more of the gold visible and a better polish on the buttons. The uniform has braid along the outside of the arms, legs and pelisse in a style mimicking the military of the time.
The shako is a cloth and leather imitation of a military one, meant to look the part but be comfortable for a child to wear. The chinstraps of the shako are hammered copper immitiating the brass scales used, the braid and bullion appears to be as it would be on an officers shako. There is no badge on the front of the front but there is a small fabric French Cockade.
The uniform comes on a mannequin.
This uniform appears to me to be a miniature copy of the French 5th Hussars, leading me to believe this was made for the son of an officer of said regiment.
This gives us a very interesting and rarely thought of insight into the military of the time, where it was common to take families to war and where it wasn’t uncommon to see a child of an officer in some form of military uniform on certain occasions. This is a wonderful piece that would form a brilliant part of any collection of French militaria.
~ Dimensions ~
The mannequin stands 40 inches (102 cm) to the top of the shako.
The mannequin is 7 inches (18 cm) deep at the chest.
The mannequin is 13 inches (33 cm) wide at the shoulders.
The mannequin weighs 5.35 Kg.
~ Condition ~
The uniform is in an incredible condition for its age with some wear and discolouration but surprisingly little.
Some of the fur in the lining of the pelisse has rubbed away.
There is some wear and some holes where the stitching meets and the stitching has work away at the crotch.
There are a few holes to the dolman, pelisse and shako fabric.
The colour of the dolman and trousers has faded to an almost off white with hints of blue.
The braid has faded intermittently.
PQAA00