BACKGROUND: The name "Hussar" is most likely derived from the Hungarian "Husz" (the twentieth man), and "ar" (payment) - the combination relating to the obligation of every twentieth 14th or 15th century Hungarian household having to have provided one armed horseman for the King. By the 17th century, these fast and daring light cavalry troops were known in the Austrian army as "Hussars." Their uniforms, regardless of which army they were attached to, retained their Hungarian trappings. Among these was their distinctive "Busby," a cylindrical, sealskin-covered hat, with decorative elements particular to the individual regiment.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A cylindrical hat, 5 3/8" tall, covered in blackened seal or otter skin, with its "Vaterlandsbandeau," chinstrap and cockades, but, as was the practice in the field, without a plume, a colored "Kolpak," and a draped cord called a "Fangschnur" (although the attachments for these remain). To the grey washed metal bandeau attached to its front is embossed "Mit Gott Für König Und Vaterland" (With God For King And Fatherland). Its color is in keeping with it being a wartime issue. Parts of the finish have worn to the base metal. Beneath it, attached to side posts over each ear, is a blackened leather chin strap with two metal sliding length adjustment buckles fed unto it. Either end of the strap is looped through the bases of metal attachment rings, in the same style as those used on Pickelhaubes and the M16 helmets, which then fit over the side posts. Around each side post are fixed 1 7/8" diameter, stamped metal cockades. That to the right is a "Reichskokarde," whose serrated edge is painted black, and which encloses a depressed ring painted white, which encircles a red painted center with radiating lines. Light wear to the paint may be seen to both its white and red fields. The "Landskokarde" to the left is identical in construction, but with a black painted center, establishing the wearer as from Prussia. It has more significant wear to its white field. The flat crown of the Busby is made of what appears to be thick, blackened leather, and has metal hooks sewn to it at its front, rear, and right side. Fragments of cord are to two of these hooks. To the interior may be seen the head harness, being six blackened leather "tongues," through whose perforations at each of their points is fed an adjustable leather cord. An obscured ink stamp, in white, is to the black interior crown, which includes what appears to be a "1916" date. Cane "ribs" may be seen along the circumference of the crown and to the sides. A tear is to one of the tongues, and moderate chafe wear, heavy at their bases, is to all of them. The fur to the exterior is patchy in places, and its crown is typically surface scratched and age soiled. Approximately a size 56 (6 7/8 - 7).

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $2,650.00