Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: Battle Brush Sigur on August 13, 2020, 01:03:25 PM
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Heyhey, last night I was struck with a thought that never occurred to be until then - did Austrian infantrymen (or cavalry for that matter) wear helmet covers of any sort to protect the helmet from weather?
There were covers for pretty much any sort of shako during the period, including of course fur caps (such as austrian grenadiers) and so on, but I've never seen any helmet covers for Austrians. I'm aware that the "Raupe" could be removed or replaced, so did the infantrymen just wear the helmets without the Raupe on campaign? Or was there some sort of helmet cover? I couldn't find any references in any books I looked into.
Any info appreciated!
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Hello Sigur,
I do not know that the helmets of the Austrian troops (infantry, cavalry) or other nations wore a cover. The helmet of that time, whether leather or metal, were worn brightly in wind and weather. The Austrian infantry helmet was very unpopular, comparable with the French Tarleton.
The first helmet covers known to me were used in the 1st World War.
Maybe there were exceptions in tropical locations or in other hot areas. But that was not your question ;).
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Thanks very much for the clarification! On a side note, your nickname underlines your authority in the field. :D
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They wore them in 1848/49 in Hungary and Italy.
HunLion
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Didn't they wear shakos then?
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Covers for Shakos yes, both for later Napoleonic and on through the 19th C periods.
Covers for the leather Helmet worn as the replacement for the Kasket hat ? Never seen any.
Being leather as opposed to felt, perhaps it was thought it didn't need one.
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The Austrian infantry helmet was very unpopular, comparable with the French Tarleton.
Were they heavy? Hot? What was the reason they were so umpopular? Not enough room to stash booty?