Description
Physical description
helmet
Tombak body with a step-down peak and broad-swept neck guard, fitted with a silver eagle: the detachable parade eagle has an officer quality gilt crown fitted to the head, and this stands upon a silvered cloverleaf base. To the front of the helmet is fitted a silvered garde star front plate of multi-piece construction, with an enamelled Black Eagle Order design to the centre. Above the eagle is the legend, 'SUUM CUIQUE,' picked out in gilt metal, and beneath, a wreath of enamelled laurel leaves; both on a circular white enamel backing. The chinscales are convex and are fitted to the helmet with gilt officer quality cloverleaf rosettes, set upon Reich and State cockades.
Label
This form of headdress was worn by the Kaiser's senior cavalry regiment, the Garde du Corps, and those men of the Garde-Kürrassier-Regiment. The large silvered eagle was worn for all occasions when full dress was required, but removed and replaced by a spike for field service and all other occasions.
The Garde du Corps first existed under the first Prussian monarch, King Frederick I but was disbanded by his economical successor. Revived by Frederick the Great in 1740, the Regiment became the elite royal bodyguard, the reigning monarch being honourary colonel. Stationed in Potsdam, both men and horses were selected from the very best quality.
During the earlier part of the First World War the Regiment fought in Belgium and on the Aisne, and from the summer of 1915 on the Eastern Front; in Poland, Latvia and the Ukraine.
History note
This form of headdress was worn by the Kaiser's senior cavalry regiment, the Garde du Corps, and those men of the Garde-Kürrassier-Regiment. The large silvered eagle was worn for all occasions when full dress was required, but removed and replaced by a spike for field service and all other occasions.
The Garde du Corps first existed under the first Prussian monarch, King Frederick I but was disbanded by his economical successor. Revived by Frederick the Great in 1740, the Regiment became the elite royal bodyguard, the reigning monarch being honourary colonel. Stationed in Potsdam, both men and horses were selected from the very best quality.
During the earlier part of the First World War the Regiment fought in Belgium and on the Aisne, and from the summer of 1915 on the Eastern Front; in Poland, Latvia and the Ukraine.