Carl Vilhelm Drakenhielm uniform

[pnorberg]

This is nineteen years old Carl Vilhelm Drakenhielm uniform, he was lieutenant in Södermanland regular infantry regiment and Nyköping company .
Carl Vilhelm was shot on 29/11 in 1718 by a bullet through his head almost in the same place as Charles XII of Sweden lost his life just one day later, also shot by a bullet through the head. This uniform is unique as it is one of three uniforms from the time of the Great Northern War.

[Rohan Wilmott]

This is really interesting. It shows the very basic stitching & coarse cloth of the coat. The hat is also interesting. Thankyou for this posting - any other photo's you can get will be of great interest as well.

[pnorberg]

Here are some pictures.
The uniform consists of a coat, shirt and the bullet-riddled hat

[flick40]

Curious how tall this poor 19 yr old Lt. would have been. Any indication based on the uniform?

[CoffinDodger]

Curious how tall this poor 19 yr old Lt. would have been. Any indication based on the uniform?

Unfortunately, about four inches too tall...

[yar68]

Fascinating post!! The tricorn looks paper thin, I always assumed them to be a little more solid looking??

[pnorberg]

The worst thing is that as you may notice it is not inside a museum, but is in a church (and it is 300 years old and is priceless) ..

[pnorberg]

This is Charles XII own hat in the stands, paper thin and very fragile

[CoffinDodger]

Pnorberg,

Looking at that hat, it makes me wonder a bit why people are so fastidious when it comes to whether and when the floppy hat was replaced by the tricorn.

The above hat may be fit for a king but, one good downpour and it would be down round his ears.

These are fascinating images.

Regards,

Jim

[Churchill]

Ray.

[conflans]

I'm not sure how much wear and tear it got afer 11/29/1718. Was it buried with the soldier or was it preserved elsewhere?

[pnorberg]

Drakenhielms hat has been preserved in a Swedish church and has probably become very brittle over time.
Personally, I think it's fantastic that you can take and feel on a subject that is actually 300 years!
I have, however, that experience through the so-called reenactment,
when it is raining outside hat works in new condition as very good as a water tap that can collect up all the rain water that quickly destroys it.

[pnorberg]

Here are some hats that are in the Swedish Army Museum's possession.

[CoffinDodger]

Pnorberg,

I'm finding this thread fascinating. We get all wrapped up in our wee sodjers and sometimes forget that they represent a real man and a real set of clothing. Keep it up, Sir!

Jim

[Sheepman]

I've got to say this is very interesting, one of the things I have noticed is how well the Dk blue colour of the uniform has been preserved. This could be because it may have been so well looked after in the museum, plus if the young man was only nineteen when he died then possibly the uniform was fairly newish (speculation of course).
As a lieutenant I would presume his uniform would be of slightly better quality than a private? But it does seem to have held together remarkably well.
I just wondered how this could influence our painting, I have painted figures with the 'campaign look' and those in 'pristine' uniforms.
Not trying to hijack ............... really
Dave.