Officer's shako of the 1st Hussar Regiment, model 1812, First Empire. Inventory number 34225.

OFFICER'S SHAKO OF THE 1st REGIMENT OF HUSSARS, model 1812, First Empire. 34225

Shako in felt covered with black taupe velvet (H 21.5 cm). Crown in black varnished leather (diameter 26 cm). The top of the shako is decorated with a woven silver galloon called "à lézardes" (H 3.2 cm). At the bottom, black velvet bourdalou (H 2.5 cm). Visor in strong vernished cowhide leather, attached to the front of the shako, with a green waxed interior, embossed with a molded border featuring three vertical rods resembling stylized branches; its outer edge is trimmed with a folded silver-plated copper braid; the width of the visor in the center is 6.5 cm.
Inside the shako, there is a black waxed basane cut into 15 wolf teeth.
Silver-plated copper plate embossed and cut in the shape of a crowned imperial eagle holding in its claws the shining thunderbolt of Jupiter, placed on a shield cut with the figure "1" and bordered at the bottom with an oak and laurel branch and in each corner a lion's head (H 13 cm, width 11 cm). Cockade placed above the plate, in scarlet, dark blue, and silver silk braid (diameter 6.5 cm).
Chinstraps. On each side of the shako, a chinstrap is attached, composed of a double basane strap on which a series of 15 decreasing width silver-plated copper scales are mounted, each cut into four festoons, the last scale being rounded. They are held in place by flat buckles. The first scale measures 3.4 cm wide, the last 2.6 cm. Each scale is embossed to represent a double scale: one cut into five smooth festoons, burnished with an agate stone, and another into four festoons with a sanded and matte background. The chinstrap is secured by a round metal silvered "big button" rosette, 3.5 cm in diameter, as named in the 1812 regulation. The rosettes are embossed in relief with a star and prominent framing rod. Chinstraps are finished with a black silk cord.

France.
First Empire.
Very good condition, oxidized silver galloon, trace of plate replacement.

HISTORY:
The 1st Regiment of Hussars was created in 1791, formerly known as the Bercheny Hussars. From 1808 to 1812, it was deployed to the armies of Spain and Portugal, participating in the battles of Braga, Santillo, Sabugal, and Monasterio in 1812. In 1813, it took part in the battles of Juterbock, Leipzig, and Hanau. In 1814, attached to the Army of Italy, it was engaged in the battle of Mincio. During the campaign in Belgium in 1814, it distinguished itself in Namur.