Saxon Heavy Cavalry
Helmet
Raised in Dresden in
1860, the Saxon Heavy Cavalry or Sachsischen Schweren Reiter was the elite
cavalry unit of the Saxon Army. Disbanding in 1919 the unit saw action during
the Battle of Vienna, the Nine Years’ War, the War of the Spanish Succession,
the Silesian Wars, the Napoleonic Wars, The Austro-Prussian War, the
Franco-Prussian War and World War I. During the Napoleonic Wars, for
instance, the unit fought with the Latour-Maubourg’s IV Cavalry Corps to take
part in the Battle of Borodino. The
Battle of Borodino occurred on September 7, 1812 and has the distinction of
being the largest and bloodiest single day battle of the Napoleonic Wars.
In 1907 the unit introduced its now iconic officer parade helmet with the lion
crest. Secured to the helmet by a series of large washers and
wing nuts, the well crafted, hollow metal lion crest replaced the usual spike during full dress and ceremonial occasions. Great detail was given to the lion’s mane, teeth and fur on the limbs. The lion’s large front right paw rested on a royal cypher FAR escutcheon. The helmet plate consisted of a large silver star and a gilded wreath with the Crowned Arms of Saxony. The cavalry Cockades were large and of the Prussian pattern. This September Rock Island Action Company will be offering two Saxon Heavy Cavalry helmets: one with the lion crest, the other with the spike.
wing nuts, the well crafted, hollow metal lion crest replaced the usual spike during full dress and ceremonial occasions. Great detail was given to the lion’s mane, teeth and fur on the limbs. The lion’s large front right paw rested on a royal cypher FAR escutcheon. The helmet plate consisted of a large silver star and a gilded wreath with the Crowned Arms of Saxony. The cavalry Cockades were large and of the Prussian pattern. This September Rock Island Action Company will be offering two Saxon Heavy Cavalry helmets: one with the lion crest, the other with the spike.
