Description
Presenting an Exquisite Find: Reserve Officer’s 1. Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr 1 Busby
Rare and highly sought-after, this Reserve Officer’s busby from the esteemed 1. Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr 1 in Prussia has graced our presence once again. It was only a year ago that we had the privilege of offering a similar treasure, and I believed it would be years before encountering another. These busbies are truly scarce, and I was astounded when this particular piece serendipitously came into my possession. Notably, its previous owner, a well-known and respected figure in the collecting community, is considered an expert. While I cannot disclose their name publicly, I will gladly share the collector’s identity with the fortunate individual who acquires this remarkable busby.
This extraordinary reserve officer’s busby belongs to Prussia’s legendary 1. Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr 1, one of the Imperial German Army’s most renowned cavalry regiments. Established in 1741, it was stationed in Danzig-Langfuhr and attached to the XVII. Armeekorps. Distinctive to this regiment, as well as its sister regiment, the 2. Leib-Husaren-Regiment Königin Victoria von Preußen Nr 2, was the presence of the Totenkopf on their wappens. Only two other non-Prussian Army regiments, the Duchy of Braunschweig’s Husaren-Regiment Nr 17 and Infanterie-Regiment Nr 92, featured a different style of Totenkopf. These four regiments stood as the sole Imperial German units displaying the Totenkopf on their ceremonial headdresses, schirmmützen, and mützen.
Embracing the busby’s exterior, we encounter its sumptuous possum fur body, impeccably preserved without any signs of fur loss. The magnificent silver or German silver wappen immediately captivates the eye, measuring 2 ½” x 2 ¾”. Its silver surface showcases an exquisite patina, while the Totenkopf’s eyes and nose possess a sinister allure, backed by black velvet. Enhancing its allure are the gold-toned chin scales, correctly adorned with leather backing, perfectly fitting the Husaren busby. Upon close inspection, one can discern decades-worth of accumulated dirt and grime on each individual scale, further affirming the busby’s authenticity. Adhering to the traditional Hussar style, the chin scales are pinned up (dropped underneath the chin and connected when needed). As expected, a single kokarde, representing the Reich rather than Prussia (as was the case prior to 1897), adorns the right side from the wearer’s perspective.
Positioned directly above the wappen at the busby’s front, we find the feldzeichen (field badge). The presence of silver bullion wrapping around the feldzeichen confirms its quality as an officer’s piece. Its center, crafted from black velvet, proudly displays the correct Prussian reserve officer’s cross. Notably, the Husaren feldzeichen distinguishes itself from those used on tschakos by its width. While other feldzeichens may bear a resemblance, our example is wider and plumper, a distinction easily verified when comparing it to other feldzeichens.
The busby’s unmistakable red kolpak unequivocally identifies it as belonging to the 1. Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr 1. (A white kolpak would be correct for the 2. Leib-Husaren-Regiment Königin Victoria von
