'Other ranks' helmet, 'German' cavalry, with the later, higher comb and the front plate bearing the earlier version of the Emperor's cypher, 'F.II.'. Note the leather side-flap below the chinstrap boss, to divert rainwater from the wearer's ears.
(Wallis & Wallis)
Background
The Infantry
The Artillery
Organisation & Tactics
Arms & Equipment
Flags & Standards
Chevauxleger, campaign dress, 1815, showing the green coat worn by the 1st, 2nd,4th and 7th Regiments. Note again, the horse's fodder carried at the front of the saddle.
(Print after R. von Ottenfeld)
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The Cavalry
German Cavalry uniform after 1801 (Cont'd)
All waistcoats became white; the cartridge box somewhat broader; and Chevauxlegers were ordered to wear shorter boots, similar to those of the Hussars, but unbraided. It is doubtful whether an order for trumpeters to wear a Korsehut (Corsican hat) was ever implemented; certainly an order on the 9th of July 1802 instructed that trumpeters were to wear regimental uniform. An improved sabre was introduced in 1802, largely like the previous Pallasch, with iron scabbards for all ranks. The saddle cover was ordered to be white lambskin for Cuirassiers, Dragoons and Chevauxlegers, but in 1803 all were ordered to be black. From 1804 all carried long carbines.
From about 1805 the helmet took on a new appearance, with the comb heightened, and remaining of black leather with a brass strip up the front for other ranks; the front-plates now bore the cypher 'F.I.' For officers the helmet became especially impressive; the 1811 dress regulations described it as made of black lacquered leather with a 10cm high, with a 2.5cm wide comb (though in practice some seem to have increased the height, as did some infantry officers with their 1798 helmet). The sides of the comb were completely covered in gilt metal and richly embossed with a lion device. On the front of the crest was a gilt lion mask, the chinstrap bosses were also in the form of lion masks, positioned on the sides of the helmet, above the leather flap which diverted rain water from the ears. The chinstrap was covered with gilt scales or interlocking chains, though some sources indicate the use of two chinstraps, a scaled ornamental set fastened around the rear of the helmet, and a black leather chinstrap for functional use. As with the infantry helmet, this was probably dependent upon the preference of the individual. The peak was gilt-edged, and the crest as before. Some helmets (for parade, or those of field ranks) exist with additional gilt decoration, while some contemporary pictures suggest that on campaign the helmet might be worn with the crest removed.
Chevauxlegers, c.1805; this print after J.R. Seele depicts the 2nd Regiment (Hohenzollern) wearing the green coat with red facings and white buttons. Previously the 4th Light Dragoons, its poppy red facings officially changed to dark green in 1801 but may have remained red throughout. Green facings would be unlikely with a green coat, and were probably intended for a white coat briefly (or never, in fact) adopted by the regiment.
The 1811 officers' regulations specify the coat as white (dark green for the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Chevauxlegers), with similar lining and a single row of buttons on the breast, set 3.5cm apart. The 6cm collar was white with a facing-coloured patch with a button in the centre for Cuirassiers; Dragoons and Chevauxlegers had facing -coloured collars not exceeding 10cm high. Cuffs were not over 7.5cm deep, and were fastened with two small buttons on the rear seam; field officers retained laced cuffs. The white waistcoat was tailless, with a standing collar and small buttons; the 'mixed grey' overalls had metal buttons but no coloured stripe. The Oberrock was abolished, and a short coat, or 'Spencer', in the uniform colour was used instead. The voluminous Roquelor remained white, with uniform buttons and a cape extending to the elbow; the yellow leather gloves had 10cm cuffs. The cuirass was basically as before, with 2cm brass rim and a 10cm brass 'arrowhead' on the breast, extending to the bottom for field ranks. Belts remained white with gilded fittings. Horse-furniture as before, the saddle and harness of brown leather for Cuirassiers and Dragoons; Chevauxlegers used Hussar-pattern harnesses. The horse's breast plate consisted of a brass boss bearing the regimental number and branch letter ('K','D', or 'C-L').
Archduke Charles' reforms caused some alteration in the disposition of the kit; the valise now held spare legwear, shirt, handkerchief, socks, mittens, carbine cleaning kit, a bag containing 250grams of pipeclay, razor, piece of soap, small mirror, clothes brush and sewing kit (needles, thread, scissors and a bodkin). The knapsack on the right side carried the eating utensils, two combs in a case, messtin handle, bag of salt, vegetables, horse-grooming kit, boot and harness wax; the knapsack by the left holster held the forage cap, haversack with bread and the single and whetstone (the latter often carried by the saddle instead).
  
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