INFANTRY AND CAVALRY HUSSAR CHENILLE HELMET, model 1791, Revolution (1791-1796).
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INFANTRY AND CHASSEURS À CHEVAL CHENILLE HELMET, model 1791, Revolution (1791-1796).
Waxed and black-varnished felt bomb on the external face, with a depth of approximately 19 cm. At its base, a 0.9 cm bourdalou is formed by the return of the leather of the inner liner. Painted canvas band designed to imitate a panther skin. It is made of a strong canvas folded in half, fastened with a lace, and sewn at the base of the bomb. Height 8 cm. Black leather round-shaped visor, 5.5 cm wide. Inner liner composed of a 5 cm high leather band topped with a canvas band of about 9 cm high.
France.
Revolution around 1791-1795.
Medium condition, missing the chenille, some minor accidents, left as found in 2011 in the church of a German family's castle.
PROVENANCE:
This helmet comes from a batch of identical helmets (all without a chenille) found in 2011 in Wurtzbourg, Bavaria, by carpenters working on the renovation of a private chapel in a castle. They likely originate from the Battle of Wurtzbourg on September 3, 1796, where the French army lost 2,000 killed or wounded, and 1,000 prisoners.
NOTE:
This model was adopted in the provisional instructions on the clothing and equipment of the troops from April 1, 1791 (Royal Printing Office, 1792, 17 pages), for the French infantry. The infantry exercise regulations of August 1, 1791, confirm the existence of this model reproduced in its illustrations showing the infantrymen wearing the new chenille helmet. Plates 3, 4, and 5 depict soldiers in different exercise positions with this headgear. This helmet was progressively replaced from 1792-1793, but specimens in service continued to be used for reasons of economy. There are some manufacturing variants, but very few authentic examples have survived. This specimen can be compared to the one at the Douai Museum, which is similar in every detail. Another authentic complete specimen is exhibited at the Empéri Museum in Salon de Provence, formerly owned by Raoul and Jean Brunon. Some of these helmets were manufactured by the Delpont house, while others bear the "MERLE" marking hot stamped on the visor.
DELPONT:
Under Year V of the Republic (1796-1797), the National Archives already mention "Delpont, military headgear entrepreneur." A document dated 27 ventôse year VII (March 17, 1799) refers to his activity. By the end of the Directory, he was significant enough to be cited among the Parisian military suppliers. Historical research identifies him as "François Delpont, hat manufacturer, and supplier," showing that he received financial support from the banker Nicolas Seillière. By the early 19th century, his house remained active. Antoine de Jomini, after leaving Swiss service, worked in Paris at François Delpont's workshop specialized in headgear at 52 Rue de Grenelle, before leaving in 1803. Lastly, the F. Delpont and Le Thuillier house at 52 Rue de Grenelle, Faubourg Saint-Germain, continued manufacturing military headgear and equipment during the Restoration, including the 1816 model shako-helmet. One specimen directly bears the mark "Delpont a Paris," as well as leather helmets for the National Guard on horseback.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, THE BATTLE OF WURTZBOURG:
The Battle of Wurtzbourg took place on September 3, 1796, in Wurtzbourg, in the Episcopal Principality of Wurtzbourg, during the War of the First Coalition. It pitted the French army of Sambre-et-Meuse commanded by General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan against the Austrian imperial army of Archduke Charles. The French attacked the archduke's forces, but he withstood the French assaults throughout the day until reinforcements arrived, decisively tipping the balance in favor of the Austrians.
During the summer of 1796, two French armies, commanded by Generals Jourdan and Moreau, penetrated southern Germany. Facing them, Archduke Charles of Austria sought to slow their advance with two Austrian armies under the command of Generals Wilhelm von Wartensleben and Maximilien Antoine de Baillet de Latour. In the Battle of Amberg on August 24, Charles managed to overwhelm Jourdan's forces and forced them to retreat. Jourdan, in a last effort, attempted a counterattack at Wurtzbourg to halt his retreat. However, he was defeated, leading to his retreat to the Rhine, subsequently causing Moreau's army to also withdraw from southern Germany.
The French army attacked what they believed to be an isolated Austrian division under General Sztáray. Jourdan's plan was to engage Sztáray's troops with the divisions of Bernadotte and Championnet, while Grenier's infantry and Bonnaud's cavalry remained in reserve. Nonetheless, the morning mist allowed Archduke Charles to send reinforcement from General Hotze's division in time, nullifying the French numerical superiority. The situation worsened for Jourdan with the absence of General Lefebvre's division, which was engaged to the north by the Austrian division Elsnitz. The arrival of the rest of the archduke's army crossing the Main on pontoons built by Austrian sappers added to the French difficulties. French attacks on the enemy positions were repelled until Austrian divisions Kray and Wartensleben arrived, driving the French off the battlefield.
The French army lost 2,000 killed or wounded, 1,000 prisoners, and seven cannons. Austrian losses were half as much: 1,200 men out of combat and 300 prisoners. Jourdan's defeat at Wurtzbourg ultimately led to the failure of the 1796 campaign in southern Germany. Charles pursued the defeated French, outflanking Jourdan from the south and preventing his support by Moreau's forces operating in Germany.
On September 7, Archduke Charles forced the French to lift the siege of Mayence. Around the 16th, the belligerents met on the banks of the river Lahn, where General Kray's 11,000 men defeated Jourdan's 15,000 at Limburg an der Lahn. Following this defeat, Jourdan retreated to Düsseldorf before crossing back over the Rhine.
French Order of Battle:
Army of Sambre-et-Meuse: Divisional General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan, Commander-in-Chief — 25,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, 11 artillery batteries
• 1st Division: Divisional General François Joseph Lefebvre
• 2nd Division: Divisional General Paul Grenier
• 3rd Division: Divisional General Jean-Étienne Championnet
• 4th Division: Divisional General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
• Cavalry Reserve: Divisional General Jacques Philippe Bonnaud
Austrian Order of Battle:
Army of Bas-Rhin: Field Marshal Archduke Charles-Louis of Austria-Teschen, Commander-in-Chief — 30,000 men
• 1st Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Friedrich von Hotze
◦ Mixed Brigade: Major General Michael Kienmayer
◦ Infantry Brigade: Major General Johann von Hiller
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Colonel Anton Canisius
• 2nd Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Anton Sztáray
◦ Mixed Brigade: Major General Jean de Liechtenstein
◦ Infantry Brigade: Major General Eugen Montfrault
◦ Bavarian Infantry Brigade: Major General Bartels
◦ Grenadier Brigade: Major General Konrad Valentin von Kaim
• 3rd Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Johann von Riesch
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Major General Prince Alexander of Württemberg
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Major General Joseph Spiegelberg
• 4th Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Pál Kray
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Major General Frederick Louis of Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Major General Karl Joseph Hadik von Futak
◦ Infantry Brigade: Major General Franz Sebottendorf
◦ Infantry Brigade: Major General Prince Frederick of Orange
◦ Infantry Brigade: Major General Joseph Staader
• Reserve: Feldzeugmeister Wilhelm von Wartensleben
◦ Grenadier Brigade: Major General Johann Kollowrat
◦ Grenadier Brigade: Major General Joseph von Schellenberg
◦ Grenadier Brigade: Major General Ludwig von Vogelsang
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Major General Franz Seraph von Rosenberg-Orsini
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Charles-Eugène of Lorraine de Lambesc
Waxed and black-varnished felt bomb on the external face, with a depth of approximately 19 cm. At its base, a 0.9 cm bourdalou is formed by the return of the leather of the inner liner. Painted canvas band designed to imitate a panther skin. It is made of a strong canvas folded in half, fastened with a lace, and sewn at the base of the bomb. Height 8 cm. Black leather round-shaped visor, 5.5 cm wide. Inner liner composed of a 5 cm high leather band topped with a canvas band of about 9 cm high.
France.
Revolution around 1791-1795.
Medium condition, missing the chenille, some minor accidents, left as found in 2011 in the church of a German family's castle.
PROVENANCE:
This helmet comes from a batch of identical helmets (all without a chenille) found in 2011 in Wurtzbourg, Bavaria, by carpenters working on the renovation of a private chapel in a castle. They likely originate from the Battle of Wurtzbourg on September 3, 1796, where the French army lost 2,000 killed or wounded, and 1,000 prisoners.
NOTE:
This model was adopted in the provisional instructions on the clothing and equipment of the troops from April 1, 1791 (Royal Printing Office, 1792, 17 pages), for the French infantry. The infantry exercise regulations of August 1, 1791, confirm the existence of this model reproduced in its illustrations showing the infantrymen wearing the new chenille helmet. Plates 3, 4, and 5 depict soldiers in different exercise positions with this headgear. This helmet was progressively replaced from 1792-1793, but specimens in service continued to be used for reasons of economy. There are some manufacturing variants, but very few authentic examples have survived. This specimen can be compared to the one at the Douai Museum, which is similar in every detail. Another authentic complete specimen is exhibited at the Empéri Museum in Salon de Provence, formerly owned by Raoul and Jean Brunon. Some of these helmets were manufactured by the Delpont house, while others bear the "MERLE" marking hot stamped on the visor.
DELPONT:
Under Year V of the Republic (1796-1797), the National Archives already mention "Delpont, military headgear entrepreneur." A document dated 27 ventôse year VII (March 17, 1799) refers to his activity. By the end of the Directory, he was significant enough to be cited among the Parisian military suppliers. Historical research identifies him as "François Delpont, hat manufacturer, and supplier," showing that he received financial support from the banker Nicolas Seillière. By the early 19th century, his house remained active. Antoine de Jomini, after leaving Swiss service, worked in Paris at François Delpont's workshop specialized in headgear at 52 Rue de Grenelle, before leaving in 1803. Lastly, the F. Delpont and Le Thuillier house at 52 Rue de Grenelle, Faubourg Saint-Germain, continued manufacturing military headgear and equipment during the Restoration, including the 1816 model shako-helmet. One specimen directly bears the mark "Delpont a Paris," as well as leather helmets for the National Guard on horseback.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, THE BATTLE OF WURTZBOURG:
The Battle of Wurtzbourg took place on September 3, 1796, in Wurtzbourg, in the Episcopal Principality of Wurtzbourg, during the War of the First Coalition. It pitted the French army of Sambre-et-Meuse commanded by General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan against the Austrian imperial army of Archduke Charles. The French attacked the archduke's forces, but he withstood the French assaults throughout the day until reinforcements arrived, decisively tipping the balance in favor of the Austrians.
During the summer of 1796, two French armies, commanded by Generals Jourdan and Moreau, penetrated southern Germany. Facing them, Archduke Charles of Austria sought to slow their advance with two Austrian armies under the command of Generals Wilhelm von Wartensleben and Maximilien Antoine de Baillet de Latour. In the Battle of Amberg on August 24, Charles managed to overwhelm Jourdan's forces and forced them to retreat. Jourdan, in a last effort, attempted a counterattack at Wurtzbourg to halt his retreat. However, he was defeated, leading to his retreat to the Rhine, subsequently causing Moreau's army to also withdraw from southern Germany.
The French army attacked what they believed to be an isolated Austrian division under General Sztáray. Jourdan's plan was to engage Sztáray's troops with the divisions of Bernadotte and Championnet, while Grenier's infantry and Bonnaud's cavalry remained in reserve. Nonetheless, the morning mist allowed Archduke Charles to send reinforcement from General Hotze's division in time, nullifying the French numerical superiority. The situation worsened for Jourdan with the absence of General Lefebvre's division, which was engaged to the north by the Austrian division Elsnitz. The arrival of the rest of the archduke's army crossing the Main on pontoons built by Austrian sappers added to the French difficulties. French attacks on the enemy positions were repelled until Austrian divisions Kray and Wartensleben arrived, driving the French off the battlefield.
The French army lost 2,000 killed or wounded, 1,000 prisoners, and seven cannons. Austrian losses were half as much: 1,200 men out of combat and 300 prisoners. Jourdan's defeat at Wurtzbourg ultimately led to the failure of the 1796 campaign in southern Germany. Charles pursued the defeated French, outflanking Jourdan from the south and preventing his support by Moreau's forces operating in Germany.
On September 7, Archduke Charles forced the French to lift the siege of Mayence. Around the 16th, the belligerents met on the banks of the river Lahn, where General Kray's 11,000 men defeated Jourdan's 15,000 at Limburg an der Lahn. Following this defeat, Jourdan retreated to Düsseldorf before crossing back over the Rhine.
French Order of Battle:
Army of Sambre-et-Meuse: Divisional General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan, Commander-in-Chief — 25,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, 11 artillery batteries
• 1st Division: Divisional General François Joseph Lefebvre
• 2nd Division: Divisional General Paul Grenier
• 3rd Division: Divisional General Jean-Étienne Championnet
• 4th Division: Divisional General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
• Cavalry Reserve: Divisional General Jacques Philippe Bonnaud
Austrian Order of Battle:
Army of Bas-Rhin: Field Marshal Archduke Charles-Louis of Austria-Teschen, Commander-in-Chief — 30,000 men
• 1st Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Friedrich von Hotze
◦ Mixed Brigade: Major General Michael Kienmayer
◦ Infantry Brigade: Major General Johann von Hiller
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Colonel Anton Canisius
• 2nd Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Anton Sztáray
◦ Mixed Brigade: Major General Jean de Liechtenstein
◦ Infantry Brigade: Major General Eugen Montfrault
◦ Bavarian Infantry Brigade: Major General Bartels
◦ Grenadier Brigade: Major General Konrad Valentin von Kaim
• 3rd Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Johann von Riesch
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Major General Prince Alexander of Württemberg
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Major General Joseph Spiegelberg
• 4th Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Pál Kray
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Major General Frederick Louis of Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Major General Karl Joseph Hadik von Futak
◦ Infantry Brigade: Major General Franz Sebottendorf
◦ Infantry Brigade: Major General Prince Frederick of Orange
◦ Infantry Brigade: Major General Joseph Staader
• Reserve: Feldzeugmeister Wilhelm von Wartensleben
◦ Grenadier Brigade: Major General Johann Kollowrat
◦ Grenadier Brigade: Major General Joseph von Schellenberg
◦ Grenadier Brigade: Major General Ludwig von Vogelsang
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Major General Franz Seraph von Rosenberg-Orsini
◦ Cavalry Brigade: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Charles-Eugène of Lorraine de Lambesc
Reference :
1386-3
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Only items sold by me are subject to an authenticity certificate, I do not provide any expert reports for items sold by third parties (colleagues or collectors).
Next update Friday, august 14 at 13:30 PM
FOR ALL PURCHASES, PAYMENT IN MULTIPLE CHECKS POSSIBLE
bertrand.malvaux@wanadoo.fr 06 07 75 74 63
An authenticity certificate of the item including the description published on the site, the period, the sale price, accompanied by one or more color photographs is automatically provided for any item priced over 130 euros. Below this price, each certificate is charged 5 euros.
Only items sold by me are subject to an authenticity certificate, I do not provide any expert reports for items sold by third parties (colleagues or collectors).