PETTY SERVICE POLICE CAP OF THE ROYAL BODYGUARDS, 1820 model, Restoration period (1820-1830). Item No. 30001

ROYAL BODYGUARD'S UNDRESS POLICE CAP, 1820 model, Restoration period (1820-1830). 30001

Made of "royal blue" (dark blue) cloth without piping. False flame trimmed on its four seams with silver thread round gimps. The turban on each side is elliptical in shape, measuring 17 cm in front, 17.5 cm in the back, and 13 cm in the middle, bordered on its convex development with a silver braid woven in the design of the Royal Bodyguard (width 3.9 cm). This braid is adorned on each side with a silver braid forming festoons. The braid descends on each side of the seam, creating a double braid. At the front, under the curved angle formed by the groove of the band, an insignia is sewn on royal blue cloth embroidered with silver threads, spangles, and sequins depicting a sun with 13 spangle rays and 13 sequin rays, the face is embossed on a "solid silver" strip as per regulation, embroidery diameter 4 cm, cloth background diameter 4.4 cm. Entirely lined inner cap with black waxy leather.
Height of the cap 21 cm. At the base of the curved angle at the base of the band, a pompom with soft silver fringe trimmings is attached.

France.
Restoration period (1820-1830).
Good condition, some flaws on the cloth.

NOTE:
To the best of our knowledge, only five examples of this cap model are known, this one, two caps from the Luxembourg company (one of which is offered by us), and three examples from the collections of the Army Museum in Paris, one of the 1814 model (reference Gb3091), one of the 1820 model (reference Gb311), and one of a senior officer (reference Gb310).

The distinction between the first cap model described in the 1814 regulation and the one from 1820 is extremely minimal. Here are the two original texts:

1814 Regulation:
"Police cap made of blue cloth, without piping, model of the old French cavalry; the turban, embroidered with a 40 mm wide silver braid, with or without scallop depending on the rank (without scallop for guards, single scallop for brigadiers, double scallop for junior officers, triple scallop for senior officers), with a height of 180 mm at the front, slightly notched; tail of 560 mm long, folding into the turban in front of which a sun embroidered in silver, 50 mm in diameter; 60 mm high silver tassel at the end of the flame; silver braided cord on the four seams; cap made of linen starting from November 11, 1815."

August 16, 1820 Regulation:
"The police cap, royal blue cloth, without piping, embroidered with a silver braid in the design of the corps, 41 mm in width, with or without scallop, depending on the rank; on the front of the turban, a 40 mm diameter sun, the head in solid silver and the rays embroidered in silver, 12 with spangles and 12 with sequins; at the end of the flame, adorned on its seams with silver round gimps, is attached a tassel, also round, 60 mm high, decorated with simple fringes or twists, depending on the rank, and fastened to the flame with a 40 mm long cord. The turban is 185 mm high at the front, 175 mm at the back, and 125 mm on the sides; a notch is made on the front, with the tips 40 mm apart. The flame, which will fold into the turban, is 596 mm in length, measuring cap height."