Czar Russian Prussian French Grenadier Cap Hat Napoleonic Imperial Guard Shako

Description

UBER rare Czar Russia / Prussian Style German Grenadier / Russian Circa 1825 Grenadier cap.  Mid - 18th century Napoleonic Wars French Imperial Guard styled and in worn condition.  You never ever see these style extremely rare Czar Russia / Prussian Grenadier caps come up for sale and when you do it is just the brass plate shako.  This is the last surviving and only one known still 100% complete to exist with the entire fur cap and white braided rope cord work intact.  Believed to have been the Czar's personal body guard, similar to Napoleon's Old Guard but much much smaller in number.
The brass plate shako by itself sells for 50 when ever found.  The expense of this type of cap and difficulty of maintaining them in good condition on active service led to this form of headdress becoming generally limited to guardsmen, bands or other units having a ceremonial role.  It has been stored nearly flat for almost 200 years.  This sale is for the cap only and does not include the mannequin head or wood stand.  Both however can be purchased separately.  The head is antique as well.  Please inquire if interested.
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he expense of this type of cap and difficulty of maintaining them in good condition on active service led to this form of headdress becoming generally limited to guardsmen, bands or other units having a ceremonial role.
It has been stored nearly flat for almost 200 years.  This sale is for the cap only and does not include the mannequin head or wood stand.  Both however can be purchased separately.  The head is antique as well.  Please inquire if interested.
Grenadier cap. Worn condition showing age from 1825.
Embossed metal with a double-headed eagle in the front.
The exact age and origin are unknown.
The seams at the bottom are slightly opened.
Cap height: 37 cm
The British, Russian, Spanish and French armies began wearing high fur hats with cloth tops and, sometimes, ornamental front plates. Imitating their Prussian counterparts and French grenadiers are described as wearing these style hats as early as 1761. The purpose appears to have been to add to the apparent height and impressive appearance of these troops both on the parade ground and the battlefield.