Imperial Kurassiers: Helmet worn only vs Turks?

[huevans07]

Does anyone know whether the Imperial Kurassiers wore their pot helmets against the French in the WSS period? Or was this equipment kept for use only against the Turks?

[huevans07]

Thanks as always, Iain.

BTW, do you mind me asking where you found that piece of info? My knowledge of sources in this period is very lacking.

[huevans07]

Danke Schoen, Iain. And fortunately, my local library has a copy. I will brandish my trusty German dictionary and go visit.

[danschorr]

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.

[danschorr]

Normally, the State provided arms and armor or should it be armour (cuirass and helmets) not the individual colonels. Uniform items (coats, kamisols, breeches, etc.) were, as Iain pointed out, the responsibility of the individual colonels at least in most armies; although, this too was changing.