Post
by danschorr » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:15 am
Hugh,
Although Wrede is a valuable source for the lineage of Austrian regiments, the same cannot be said for uniforms and equipment. One would have to check Wrede's sources in order to trace the origin of the information.
I would not get hung up on the date of 1705. Cuirassier regiments had the hat for years prior to 1705. As Iain has pointed out, it was more of what the regimental commander decided to do than any official regulation or order. In addition, orders of this type were issued at the Army level rather than at the State level. I don't believe there was any official State policy that prescribed either the helmet or hat. It was more common practice. Also, in many cases regulations, if issued, often just confirmed common practice, and even these were often ignored.