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German Cavalry uniform after 1801

One of the most confusing aspects of Austrian military uniform resulted from the 1801 re-organisation, when the Light Dragoons were again split into Dragoons and Chevauxlegers. By an order on the 19th of December the Dragoons were instructed to revert to white uniforms, and the Chevauxlegers to continue to wear the the green of the Light Dragoons. With existing uniforms allowed to wear out before the the new styles were adopted, it is doubtful that the 1798 uniform had been adopted universally. As late as the 1805 campaign it was not unusual to find Dragoons still in green, and Chevauxleger regiments in white. Despite the order that they should wear green, it seems that some Chevauxleger regiments may, like the Dragoons, have adopted the white uniform in 1801, for on the 27th of January 1805 an order was issued allowing the first two Chevauxleger regiments , plus the 4th as a mark of their heritage as the green-clad La Tour regiment to wear green officially, the remaining Chevauxlegers continuing to wear white. (Given the parsimony of the Austrian authorities, the fact that green uniforms were 20 per cent more expensive than white may well have been a significant factor in the determining the uniform-colour of the three white-clad Chevauxleger regiments!) As a result confusion existed, and it was difficult to distinguish a white Dragoon from a white Chevauxleger, the only way being the colour of the buttons and the light cavalry bridle used by the Chevauxlegers.

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.

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).

Following the discontinuance of the 'queue' in 1805, hair had been cut short, with sideburns extending no lower than the bottom of the ear; though moustaches were obligatory for the rank and file, officers had to be clean shaven.

NCO distinctions remained similar and may be summarised as follows:

Cadets and Expropiis-cadets: uniformed as trooper, but without moustache; officers' helmet with woolen crest, officers' sabre with NCO knot, leather gloves.

Corporal, Wachtmeister and Estandartenfuhrer: leather gloves, black and yellow sword knot, 'Spanish reed' cane (hazel for Corporals).

Fourier: dressed as infantry, but spurred boots.

Oberschmeid (senior smith/NCO farrier): cocked hat with yellow and black camel hair 'roses' at the ends, black silk binding 2.5cm wide; loop of silver or gold lace (according to button colour) 1.2cm wide, with 7.5cm black cockade. Coat (without shoulder straps), waistcoat and breeches grey/black, facings and buttons as rank and file, sabre and other distinctions as Wachtmeister; squadron smith (Escadrons-Schmeid) and saddlers as Oberschmeid, but without NCO cane.

Profoss (provost): as Wachtmeister, but with a hat.

Officers' servants: as troopers, but with no other equipment than the valise.

Trumpeters wore ordinary uniform (without cuirasses in the Cuirassiers), with a red helmet crest and other distinctions like corporals (trumpet-major or Stabstrompeter with Wachtmeister distinctions). The 40.5cm brass trumpet had cords and tassels of mixed Emperor yellow, and black. Regimental bands were financed by the Inhaber or officers, their uniforms usually having 'swallows' nest' wings, and laced collar and cuffs. Some unusual illustrations of c.1813 depict green-clad Chevauxleger trumpeters with old-fashioned dark red (facing-coloured) dummy sleeves hanging at the rear of the coat, with yellow or gold lace edging, possibly a regimental idiosyncracy (or an artist's error?). They also had dark blue coveralls with a red stripe. It was customary, when possible, for musicians to be mounted on greys.

Hussars

Hussar uniform was originally a re-styling of the ordinary dress of the Hungarian 'tribesmen'__the original Hussars. While maintaining a vestige of this costume, especially the fur-trimmed pelisse and the traditional swaggering mien, the Austrian Hussar uniform was regulated as carefully as that of the 'German' cavalry. All cavalry from the 'Hungarian' part of the Empire were Hussars; Hungary being their original home, the term huszar probably signified 'one in twenty' as selected for service by ballot.

the basic style of uniform was retained throughout. Initially, the Hussar cap was a felt cylinder bearing a black and yellow cloth rosette with a braid loop on the front, and a black over yellow plume above a yellow pompom with a black centre. Cords in the mixed black and yellow national colours were fastened around the upper edge of the cap, falling as 'raquettes' at the right side.In 1798 this cap was replaced by a true shako, a 20.5cm high cylinder of rigid felt, with a black leather peak and chinstrap, and rosette, pompom and cap lines as before. The 35.5cm high feather plume (upon a wire or whalebone foundation) could be enclosed in a black waterproof cover.

A universal feature was that the dolman, collar, cuffs and pelisse were invariably of the same colour. The dolman was a single-breasted tail-less jacket with a 3.5cm standing collar, cut well below waist length and visible beneath the sash, although contemporary pictures suggest a shortening of the jacket from the early 19th century. It had low pointed cuffs ornamented with a trefoil knot (though this was not universal), 16 or 17 loops on the breast, with three rows of buttons, and an opening rear cuff-seam edged with braid; all braid was in the universal mixed black and yellow, edging the collar, cuffs, skirts, front opening, and rear seams.

The tight breeches of traditional Hungarian style had twisted black and yellow braid on the outer seams, and small knots on the thigh. The 1798 regulations permitted the use of universal grey overalls (with blackened buttons on outer seam) for use on campaign. The boots were of 'Hungarian' or 'Hessian' pattern, edged with black and yellow braid and with a black and yellow rosette at the 'V' on the front.

The pelisse was designed to be worn over the dolman as an over-jacket, or slung over the left shoulder; on campaign it could be worn fastened, instead of the dolman. In later years of the Napoleonic era it appears to have been cut shorter and tighter, so as to preclude its being worn closed over the dolman. It had cuffs and edging of black lambskin, with the universal braid (including a trefoil at the cuff), and loops and buttons on the breast like the dolman. A variety on the usual style of braiding, a zigzag pattern instead of the usual horizontal loopings, is seen on extant items and in contemporary illustrations.

The yellow sash had three blocks of 'barrels' of mixed yellow and black cord; and mixed yellow and black cord with an olivet end looped at the right side. The waist belt was of dark red or red-brown Russian leather, with an iron hook, usually concealed by the lower edge of the dolman; two red slings supported the sabre and three the sabretache. The face of the leather sabretache was covered in red cloth, with a yellow lace border and two interwoven black lines, an edging of twisted black and yellow braid, and bearing a crowned 'F.II.' cypher (latterly 'F.I.'). The suspension rings were set upon a black leather strip. The sabre had a curved blade 84cm long, with a iron scabbard and stirrup hilt, and a red Russian leather knot; the earlier patterns had leather inserts on the scabbard. The shoulder belts for the black leather cartridge box and carbine were white leather (slightly reduced in width in 1798), although black leather belts ar ealso shown, as used by the 12th regiment in 1800, and by the 4th in 1805, probably due to a use of available equipment rather than a regimental variety.

The Hussars used a white cloak (Mantel) instead of the Roquelor of the 'German' cavalry, with a 38cm deep collar which could be fastened up over the crown of the shako to enclose the head as a protection against bad weather.

The Hussar shabraque had pointed rear corners, and even before 1798 had no holster caps like those of 'German' cavalry. Its colouring was like that of the heavy cavalry, scarlet with yellow and black lace and with the Emperor's cypher in the rear corners. The wooden saddle had a higher cantle, and the saddle cover was generally of black lambskin (even when the 'German' cavalry were officially ordered to use white), but white lambskins are also shown used by Hussars. (The satement that black lambskins were used exclusively for service and white only for parade does not appear to be confirmed by contemporary illustrations). An unusual illustration by: Bartsch of the 4th regiment, c.1805, shows the use of a Hussar shabraque, plus old style holster caps bearing a crowned 'F.II.'cypher__perhaps an 'economy' re-use of equipment many years out of date. Harness was of black leather, usually with iron fittings, the typical 'Hungarian' pattern having cross-straps or chains on the horse's forehead. The pistol holsters had brass fittings, with tent pegs in a leather case carried by the left holster, and a 40.5cm picket stake, 3.8cm thick, by the right holster. The cylindrical red valise (Mantelsack) carried behind the saddle contained the overalls, when not in use (although these could also be carried under the saddle), and at one end of the shoe-repairing kit, shirt, stock, mittens and queue ribbons; at the other end a shirt, stockings, a 250grm bag of pipeclay, shaving kit, eating utensils, a small mirror and a clothes brush. The knapsack carried by the holsters were 31cm deep, protruding 2.5cm beneath the shabraque.

In the left hand knapsack was a bag for the horse's grooming materials, 250grm of shoe polish (six months supply), two brushes, meat ration and a kettle handle. The right knapsack icluded the forage cap, cleaning cloths, pomade, salt and a day's bread. Fatigue smocks were normally issued to Hussars and Uhlans only in peacetime; it was carried with the forage bag (to hold oats and bread) at the front of the shabraque, with the rolled Mantel. A 93cm picket rope was coiled at the left of the saddle, with the messtin and kettle; the sickle for cutting forage was carried in a protective cover by the valise, the curve of the blade towards the high back of the saddle. As for the 'German' regiments, the leather horseshoe case and hay net were also carried. The canteen was slung over the right shoulder; the cartridge box held 38 cartridges, two flints and an oil bottle. The sabretache contained tinder, tobacco and moustache dressing, and any personal papers. The Hussars were armed with a short carbine, 90cm long, reduced to 85.2cm in 1798, and further reduced to 76.5cm in 1815.

The 3rd's shakos are sometimes described as 'ash grey', the 12th's uniform as light blue, or that of the 6th and 12th as 'cornflower blue', but they are probably just variations in terminology.

In January 1802 it was proposed that all regiments should be dressed in light blue with yellow buttons, and distinguished only by the shako colour (1st pompadour/dark red, 2nd poppy red, 3rd grey, 4th light blue, 5th Emperor yellow, 6th violet, 7th dark green, 8th orange, 9th white, 10th light green, 11th black, and 12th dark blue); these proposals, however, never took effect.
The most notable alteration in the uniform following the 1798 regulations was a change in the pattern of shako from about 1805-07, the cylindrical cap being replaced by one which was slightly wider at the top, with a dummy black leather 'peak' turned up at the rear. Regulations in 1802 specified the plume height as 25cm, and improved the pattern of the cloak by introducing a collar instead of a cape. "Queus' were discontinued from the 31st of December 1806, but moustaches remained mandatory.

NCOs had the usual distinctions: corporal had a band of yellow lace edged black around the upper edge of the shako, gloves, a hazel cane and a red Russian leather sword knot with a black and yellow woolen tassel. The Prima Plana ranks (Wachtmeister and Estandartfuhrer) had fox fur edging on the pelisse, which may have continued in use, and a double lace band on the shako, later standardised to conform with the NCO lace on the 1806 infantry shako, often of gold or silver according to the button colour. Their sword knot was as for a corporal but with camel hair tassel; and they carried swords with brass fittings and a 'Spanish reed' cane. cadets dressed as troopers, but with an officer's sabre, leather gloves and an NCO sword knot. Fouriers and 'craftsmen' had coat facings of the shako colour.

Officers wore the shako with gold embroidery or lace around the upper edge (a double row for field officers). According to the 1811 regulations the lace was like that on the infantry shako, but for field ranks a popular style appears to have been a double line of interlocking rings, the upper line sometimes of larger diameter than the lower. Front and dummy rear peaks were edged with gold lace as for the infantry; on the front of the shako was a black pleated rosette with with a gold or yellow edge, and often a silver loop decoration on the black, and a gold lace loop. At the top was a hemispherical gold pompom with a black centre bearing the Emperor's cypher in gold, and a black over yellow feather above. Latterly, drooping feather 'panache' plumes were popular instead of the upright variety. The cap had mixed black and gold cords and gilt lion masks on the the sides, from which a gilt chain was suspended by a ring on the right boss and a hook on the left, usually just decorative, with a functional chinstrap of black leather. The dimensions of the cap were like those of the rank and file, though in practice it seems that some were made higher. Some officers appear to have worn fur busbies, unoficially, even after the introduction of the 1798 shako, although probably rarely after 1804; these were of black fur with a 'bag' of red or of the dolman colour, with gold and black cords and a plume at the side.

The officers' dolman had gold or silver braid (according to the button colour), five rows of buttons, and a 8cm collar according to the 1811 regulations. The degree of elaboration of braid varied (for example in the design knots at the cuff), probably with individual taste rather than rank. Field officers wore the usual rank-lace on the cuffs, and sometimes apparently on the collar as well. The pelisse bore five rows of buttons and metallic braid, often with very elaborate knots on field officer's cuffs. The fur edging (the collar 10cm deep) was usually black lambskin for regiments with light coloured pelisses, and brown lambskin for dark uniforms, although white or fox-fur were also used. When worn as a jacket on service, instead of the dolman, the pelisse was worn over an undecorated waistcoat of the dolman colour. On service officers could wear a similarly-coloured 'Spencer', with four black silk fastenings on the front, trimmed with lace, and often in winter with black lambskin 'facings'. The breeches bore gold or silver lace on the outer seam and knots on the thigh, with lace 'darts' as additional marks of field rank. Grey overalls for service were like those of of 'German' cavalry with a greater use of black leather lining, and metal or cloth-covered black buttons.

The officers' girdle was Emperor yellow camel hair or silk, with 'barrels' of gold and black. The 1811 regulations note that the waist belt and slings were of red Russia leather, with lace edging, (embroidered for field ranks), however, plain red leather seems to have been used on service, and black leather, with lace edging, for dress.

The sword knot was of black leather with gold stitching and a black and gold silk tassel. A black leather pouch with gilt trim, bearing a gilt, crowned double eagle on the flap, was worn on a black leather belt over the left shoulder, with varied gilt fittings (typically a lion's mask connected by chains to a a shield), and sometimes edged with lace. The sabretache had a narrow braid edging and a 5cm lace, or wavy, embroidery within the edging; the red cloth face bore an elaborately-embroidered crowned cypher, 25cm by 14cm, or for field officers a smaller cypher over an embroidered trophy of arms. Usually most of the mebroidery was in the regimental button colour, with additional trimming in the alternate colour (silver on gold or vice-versa). The forage cap was of the dolman colour, with gold and black braid trim, but usually without additional lace; the white cloak was like that of the men, and the sabre of a similar pattern.

Horse furniture was as for the men with the black leather 'Hungarian'-style harness and gilt fittings dependent upon the individual's taste __ some having additional gilt stud trimming; the breast plate bore the regimental number and the letter 'H'. The shabraques were laced like those of the 'German' cavalry officers; for service dress, the lace was narrower and bore no cypher. Field officers, on occasion, had additional lace, and a more elaborate cypher may have been used. The black lambskin saddle cover had a red cloth edging, and on service a red cloth valise was carried. Unlike officers of 'German' cavalry, hussars wore moustaches like their men.

Emperor Joseph II ordered the creation of a 'pulk' (corps) of light cavalry armed with the lance (the traditional Polish weapon) after the acquisition of the Polish provinces. Only under Leopold II, however were the existing 'divisions' unified into a regiment in 1791. Initially, the Uhlan (lancer) corps was organised in Polish style, the two 'flank divisions' (Flugeldivision) armed with the lance and the other two with a short carbine, the intention being that while the central 'divisions' delivered an attack, the others would disorder the enemy by skirmishing on the flanks.

From the beginning the Uhlans wore Polish-style uniform, including the square-topped czapka cap (initially lower and peakless like the Polish konferederatka), and a shorter-tailed jacket with open lapels; initially the uniform was grass green with poppy red facings, yellow buttons, white breeches, green waistcoat, yellow czapka and yellow and black lance pennon. The uniform soon changed to 'steel green' and later to an even darker shade.

The 2nd Regiment was formed in April 1798 from Degelmann's Frei-Corps. The uniform at this date included a steel green Polish jacket kurta with red standing collar, lapes closed to the waist forming a 'plastron' front, round cuffs and turnbacks at the front of the jacket only, and a black and yellow epaulette on the right shoulder (although some contemporary illustrations show a green shoulder strap, piped red). Also worn, a green sleeved waistcoat, green overall trousers with a double red stripe down the outer seam, with black reinforcing at the cuffs, and a yellow girdle with two black stripes. The re-styled czapka had a black leather lower portion replacing the previous fur head-band, a black leather peak, and a cloth upper section with a square top in the regimental colours, yellow (1st Regt.) and grass green__later dark green (2nd Regt.). There was a black over yellow feather at the left front, and mixed black and yellowcords suspended around the cap. Short boots with spurs plugged in, were worn under the overalls.

Belts were as for Hussars, without the sabertache and with a belt loop to carry a pistol when dismounted. he two middle 'divisions' had short carbines; sabres in the style of the Hussars; and a lance with a shaft length of 241cm and a 21cm blade. The pennon is shown as either black over yellow, or black over yellow with a narrow yellow over black horizontal stripe in the centre . They wore a white Roquelor like the 'German' cavalry, and their hair was worn in the Polish style, without a 'queue' but with a moustache (including officers).

Horse furniture was the same as for the Hussars, although from 1798 at least Uhlan shabraques had rounded rear corners. Pointed corners appear again, however in illustrations depicting the uniform at the end of the period.

A new czapka was ordered on September 19th, 1801, 3.25cm higher (22.25cm overall), and the square top 3.25cm wider (the sides 22.25cm). The peak was enlarged to 11.5cm by 23.5cm, with a dummy rear peak turned up at the back. In 1803 some Uhlans appear to have still retained the black and yellow pompom as worn by Hussars. On the 12th of March 1804, the two red stripes down the outer seam of the overalls were replaced by a single stripe.

Regimental distinctions for the four regiments (the 3rd formed in 1801, and the 4th in 1813) were constant; all wore green faced red with yellow buttons, and regimental distinctions being limited to the czapka colour:

No.1 - Mervelt
(later G. de C. Herzog zu Saschen-Cobourg-Saalfeld) - Emperor yellow
No. 2 - FM Furst Schwarzenberg - dark green
No. 3 - FM Erzherzog Carl Ludwig - scarlet
No. 4 - Kaiser Franz - white

NCO distinctions were as for the Hussars, with czapkas lace ultimately like that of the infantry shako__in 1798, a 4cm lace for corporals, and an additional 1.5cm for Wachmeisters and Estandartenfuhrers. A list of prices of 1807 notes that gold lace was used in the latter cases. Smiths, saddlers and similar craftsmen wore a uniform like those of the 'German' cavalry, with facings in the czapka colour; Fouriers had similar facings, with NCO sabres. Profoss as infantry, with Hussar NCO sabres, shaven like the infantry.

As confirmed by the 1811 regulations, officers' uniforms included the czapka with gold-laced peaks, gilt chains and lion head bosses as for hussars (although regiments other than the 2nd may have had silver). The leather skull was seperated from the cloth top by a band of gold lace with two interwoven black stripes. It had black and gold cords, and a 25cm high upright feather plume of black over yellow, above a gold cockade bearing the Emperor's cypher in its black centre. At a later date drooping, panache-style feathers were used, and some illustrations show black leather reinforcements on the corners of the czapka top. The officers' kurta originally had a falling collar, but later a 10cm standing collar, with a gold fringe 'waterfall' at the rear of the waist, and (unique in Austrian uniform) fringed epaulettes.

The epaulette strap had gold edges and the inner third was black, with gold bullions less than 5cm long. The dark green trowsers had two red stripes, although 'mixed-grey' overalls wee also worn on campaign, over calf-length boots; their waistcoat was straw yellow (or gold) silk, with gilt clasps; field officers had gold rank lace, 2.5cm wide on the cuffs, and an additional 1.25cm on the czapka. Their pouch and belt (5cm wide) was the same as Hussar officers, the pouch had a silver face; and the sword belt was of black leather with gold trim, and of black and gold stripes with gilt fittings for field officers. Sabres were in the hussar style, with a 'German' cavalry knot. They also were white Roquelor like the 'German' cavalry, and instead of the Oberrock or 'Spencer', Uhlan officers had a dark green, long kurta with red facings in the form of the ordinary uniform. Horse furniture was the same as for the Hussar officers__but the shabraque with rounded rear corners.

Auxiliary Cavalry

There existed no mounted version of the Landwehr (militia), but from the 'Hungarian' areas of the empire there were hussar units of the Insurrection (the semi-feudal levy authoprised by the Hungarian Diet parliament __in place of the Landwehr). These units were not the same calibre as the regulars, although they formed a considerable proportion of the mounted arm of the Austrian army; at Wagram, for example, the Insurrectio supplied 12 out of 150 1/2 squadrons engaged__almost 8 percent. Two regiments broke in the face of a French attack at Aspern-Essling, causing the adjoining Infantry Regt. No. 15 to waver, and providing the Austrian army with one of its most durable images, when the Archduke Charles reputedly seized the Colours and led the regiment forward in person. (The truth of this is doubtful; as the Archduke remarked, 'You know how heavy the Colours are. Do you really believe that a little old chap like me could have gone off with them?). Insurrectio hussars again broke at Rab, Archduke John blamed them for his defeat, saying that they 'neither could ride nor manoeuvre', although they were probably a scapegoat for his own failings.

The Insurrectio Hussars were dressed in 'Hungarian' style, like the regular hussars, with different colours for the various Comitates (district units). All wore a tall black shako (red for the Neograder Comitate) with white cap lines, red and yellow cords, and a large plume, of the national black and yellow for the following:
Zalaer, Baranyer, Marmaroser, Albaer, Liptauer, Tolnaer, Aba Ujaver, Csongrader, Bacser, Veszprimer, Biharer, Pester, Honter, Eisenburger, Temeser, and Szabolczer Comitates), but other varieties included all black, white, white and yellow, green, and green with red. They wore dark or light blue dolman and breeches (sap green dolman with light blue and scarlet breeches respectively for the Baranyer and Albaer Comitates), with braiding of usually black or white. Sabretaches were principally red, with white or yellow lace, and either the Emperor's cypher or the initials of the Comitat. Weaponry was restricted to a sabre and a pistol. In addition to these uniformed units, there existed even more 'irregular' troops wearing 'native' dress consisting of loose shirts with profusely-buttoned coloured waistcoats and white trousers.

The mounted elements of the Grenz (border) troops have been covered prior in the 11th and 12th Hussars. A number of Frei-Corps, however, included cavalry detachments and these were:
Degelmann's Uhlans (Galizisches Uhlanen-Frei-Corps Degelmann) Raised in 1790 by Oberstleutnant Bernhard Freiherr von Degelmann. Transformed into the 2nd Uhlans 1798; dressed like the regular Uhlans but with white buttons.

Carneville's Legion (Carneville-Frei-Legion) Raised in the Netherlands 1793, mostly French emigres, at the cost of the Inhaber, Oberst Carl Franz Graf Carneville. Two companies of infantry and Jagers, and a division of Hussars. Disbanded in 1798, the Hussars transferred to the Mounted Jagers. Hussar uniform; shako with brass rosette, black and yellow feather, yellow cords; green dolman with red collar, black cuffs, black and yellow sash; black pelisse fur; light blue breeches; red sabretache.

Steyer-Wumser'sches Frei-Corps Slavonic corps raised in 1793; two infantry battalions, four hussar squadrons. Hussars' uniform: black shako with brass badge, rosette black and yellow cords; light blue dolman, green trim, red lace, white buttons; waistcoat and breeches white with red-braided seams; red sabretache.

Legion Bourbon French emigre corps formed in the Netherlands in 1794. Six infantry companies, one Hussar squadron, latter wearing shakos, dark blue dolman, poppy red pelisse and breeches.

Rohan'sches Frei-Corps Formed in the Netherlands in 1794; from French emigres. Infantry regiment and six Hussar squadrons, latter commanded by Oberst Graf Contades. Disbanded, 1798, Hussars transferred to Mounted Jagers. White shako with 'openwork' badge and cockade, black and yellow feather, yellow cords; parrot green dolman with black and yellow braid, with white lambskin trim; green Hungarian breeches; white leatherwork; shabraque and sabretache red with yellow 'F.II.' cypher and black and yellow braid; grey portmanteau, white lambskin saddle cover; new hussar sabre with steel scabbard, carbine.

Austro-German Legion Formed 1813; the two Westphalian Hussar regiments were incorporated. 1st Regt,: black shako, dark green pelisse and dolman, red breeches, 2nd Regt.: red shako, cornflower blue pelisse, dolman and breeches.

General Staff

Until 1751 general officers had freedom to choose their own uniform and they wore what they pleased, and it was left to Maria Theresa to introduce a white half-length coat with rank designation shown by a broad golden ribbon stripe on the front facings and side-pocket flaps of the coat. This uniform remained virtually unaltered until the eighties, when the gold rank-bars were altered to a zigzag pattern and gold buttons, bearing an embossed star and an ornamented edge, introduced. In 1798 regulations for the first time made some distinction between field service (campagne) and parade (gala) uniforms. Greatcoats were henceforth to be hechtgrau, the same colour as worn by the 49th Regiment Vesque (later Hess), field-marshals wearing red and gold-embroidered collars and cuffs. The gold-bordered black general officer's head-dress with the 25cm high green plum was to be worn only for parades. General adjudants had the traditional green coat originally worn firstly by the horse-grenadiers and then by the Emperor Joseph's Chevaux-Legers des Kaisers (afterwards Uhlan Regiment 16). By an imperial command of 1765 this coat was conferred on all general-adjudants; it had the red linings and facings of the original-pattern coat but with the addition of general officer's buttons. The general-adjudants wore a plain black head-dress with a general's green plume; their waistcoats were straw coloured, with rank shown by the broad gold border stripes; the woolen breeches were of the same colour. Infantry field officer's boots and a gold-mounted sword completed the uniform. Flugeladjutanten (A.D.C.'s__usually to the monarch) wore the same dress as General-Adjutanten except that they had white buttons instead of gold, and a sabre instead of a sword.

The Major-General wore the dress for German general officers, his rank being shown by the zigzag gold stripe on the cuffs. Hungarian cavalry general officers wore an entirely different dress, somewhat similar to that of a hussar, with a half worn Pelz, a Kalpak with a plume of herons feathers, a red dolman, red trousers or overalls with a gold seam stripe, gold spurs, a red sabretache with the imperial arms in gold, and a sabre with a bright steel scabbard.

Cavalry Staff

General officers could wear the uniforms of their own regiment with the addition of arank-lace and staff plumes. There also existed a special costume for generals of the Hungarian cavalry, which included a plumed bearskin busby, white pelisse with five rows of buttons, red dolman and breeches, gold lace, black and gold barelled sash, Hessian boots with gilt spurs, sabre with bright steel scabbard, and a red sabretache bearing the Emperor's cypher in gold, with gold lace and silver embroidery as for the hussars. Horse harness was similar to that of a hussar field officer, with gilt fittings; red sabretache of the style of infantry officers, but with two broad black and gold laces, and the Emperor's cypher in the corners. Alternative service uniform included a pike grey pelisse (with rank lace), red dolman and breeches, black felt Hussar shako with gold lace and ornaments, a 25cm green feather plume (general's rank distinction); white cloak, and ordinary hussar overalls or yellow leather Hungarian breeches.