The Breastplate of Antoine Favreau

Since I was a child I have been fascinated by the Battle of Waterloo.  Maybe it is the colorful Napoleonic uniforms that has captured my attention. Regardless, there are great personal stories surrounding the battle.  

Antoine Favreau served as one of Napoleon's heavy cavalrymen during "The Hundred Days."  The Waterloo campaign is referred to as The Hundred Days, because such is the amount of time between Napoleon's return to France after his escape from the island of Elba and his final  defeat near the small town of Waterloo, Belgium.  Heavy calvarymen, such as Antoine Favreau, played a significant role in Napoleon's victories.  They would be wasted in the defeat which ended the Napoleonic Wars. 

Messr. Favreau served as a Carabinier a Cheval -- a heavy cavalryman who wore armour on the battlefield.  Specifically, Favreau would have worn a helmet made of brass and iron with a red horsehair crest.  On his chest and back he wore  a brass and iron breast and backplate over his white tunic.  As a mounted man, he wore white leather riding pants and black riding boots that extended past the knee.  His primary weapon was a long, straight bladed sword, but he would also have carried a pair of pistols in holsters mounted on his saddle and a carbine.   The Carabiniers a Cheveaux must have been something to see with the sun shining off of their brass armour.  Of course, it is debatable how complete the French uniforms were at Waterloo, given the hasty assembling of the army.  

Waterloo and Gettysburg are similar battles and battlefields.   Both have armies  facing each other from opposite ridges with a valley in between.  In both battles, desperate attacks were issued against fixed positions.  The "ground" played a major role in each battle as did the failure of a commander's  subordinate to perform as expected.   As Richard Ewell failed Robert E. Lee at the end of daylight on July 1, 1863,  Michel Ney failed Napoleon on the afternoon of June 18, 1815. 

Napoleon was a master of battlefield tactics.  Many of his victories involved flanking maneuvers and deception   rather that brute force to win the day.  Waterloo was different.  At Waterloo, Napoleon would attempt brute strength to push Wellington and his multi-national army off of the field.   Much like Robert E. Lee, Napoleon attempted to defeat his enemy with massed  assaults on the flanks as well as the center.  

Napoleon was not well at Waterloo and the fates took advantage of his predicament.   In the afternoon when by chance Napoleon was indisposed, Wellington issued an order for his entire line to redeploy several yards to the rear.  Michel Ney, Napoleon's second in command, misinterpreted the redeployment to be a retreat.  As any good commander seeing a retreating enemy would,  Ney ordered the French cavalry to charge and rout the Anglo-Allied army.  

Mother Nature also did not shine on Napoleon at Waterloo.  The night of June 17, 1815 was marked by torrential rain.  Thus, the ground was saturated when Ney's charge took place.  The French cavalrymen charged down the ridge, across the valley and up the opposite ridge to a plateau where they met the enemy infantry formed in squares.  In the days of linear tactics,  infantry  threatened by cavalry formed square.  The defensive position required the men in the  front rank of each side of the square to kneel with the butts of their muskets grounded and the bayonets angled upwards and out.  The remaining men faced out and fired at the cavalry.  Horses will not charge into the line of bayonets.  Thus, the charge is broken and the cavalrymen are picked off.  To defeat infantry in square,  either  infantry or artillery were brought up with the cavalry.  The infantry in square either stayed in square and were blown apart by musket or  cannon fire or the broke square and were run down and sabred by the cavalry. 

Because of the wet soil, the French cavalry could barely get above a gallop. They were under artillery fire the whole way and upon cresting the hill found infantry not retreating, but in square.  Looking behind, a French cavalryman saw neither supporting infantry or artillery.  No one had his back.  

One charge and Ney should have known everything -- the soil is too wet to reach a charge,  British artillery is effective and, most importantly, the British are not retreating, but rather are formed in square.   While the initial charge was not improper, the successive charges ordered by Ney were.  Again and again the French cavalry were sent against the British squares.  Ney could have sent infantry and artillery support, but he didn't.  Ney could have ordered the British cannon hauled off or spiked (the British artillery man serviced their guns until the last second and then ran to the safety of the squares), but he didn't.  Rather, he wasted a valuable asset of Napoleon's army.  Ney failed his commander. While the French defeat cannot be blamed solely upon poor old Ney, he shares a good portion of the blame. 

But what about Antione Favreau?  Well, he died at Waterloo.  He suffered a mortal would when a cannon ball pierced his gleaming breast plate. 

The British Pattern 1803 Infantry Officer's Sword

I wrote in an earlier post that one of my favorite swords is the British pattern 1803 infantry officer's sword.  Even though my collecting interests have evolved away from British swords for the time being, the 1803 still catches my eye.  

The 1803 is immediately recognized by its lionshead pommel and the cypher of King George III incorporated into the guard.   The combination if the two, in my opinion, are a perfect balance of elegance and patriotism.   While initially to be used by grenadier and light infantry units, it's appealing look made the 1803 popular with many British officers.

Guards are typically gilded brass. Grips are found in ray skin (also known as shagreen) leather, ivory, bone and polished wood  most often accompanied with several twists of fine wire.  The blades range from slightly to ridiculously curved and from very stout and serviceable to useless except for swatting daisies.   As with all officer's swords of the 18th and 19th centuries, the 1803 is as ornate as the officer could afford.  Blades are found plain, etched and in vibrant blue and gilt.  

Scabbards are typically leather with decorative hardware.  Many 1803 scabbards provide for two suspension systems.  A frog button may be found affixed to the locket (the topmost piece of hardware) allowing the sword to be worn from an over the shoulder carrying strap with a frog fitting over the locket.  Also found are hanging rings attached to the locket and the middle band do that the sword may be worn from a waist belt or an over the shoulder strap with smaller straps descending to the sword.  Based upon uniform patterns and drawings, I believe that the more popular way to wear the 1803 was from a waist belt or shoulder belt with descending straps. 

For the collector, the 1803 provides a diverse range of examples to purchase.   The pattern is general and there is much interpretation to be found. Light infantry, grenadier, Scottish or other regimental variations as well as the  branch of service (there are naval examples) variations may be found with devices such as the stringed bugle, flaming grenade, thistle  and rose or  regimental numerals and devices incorporated into the guard. 

Variations of the pattern also exist due to regimental preference or manufacturer. There are regimental 1803s that deviate to the point if looking almost like  a completely different pattern. Some lionshead   pommels look like tame, odd shaped dogs.  Others resemble ferocious beasts.  Based upon manufacturer and quality, the composition of guards is  found to range from very substantial to cheaply thin and the quality of the decoration elaborate the amateurish.   A collector could devote his or her whole collection to the 1803.  When I was actively collecting British swords, I had three 1803s in my collection at one time with no two looking alike except for the general pattern. 

I have noticed that prices for the 1803 have dramatically risen over the past 10 years.  Also, a number of reproductions have appeared on the market.  The quality and condition of the sword matter greatly.  Expect to pay into the thousands for complete examples with an extensive amount if gilding and blue and gilt remaining.  Variations that are regimental, light infantry or grenadier are highly prized. If looking for a more economical example, the buyer should target those that are maker marked.  As with most British officer's swords of the period, maker or retailer information is often found on the blade's ricasso or spine the inboard panel of the scabbards locket.  Some cutlets inscribed their blades "warranted" meaning that the blade is guaranteed to not break.  I wonder if anyone ever asserted a claim against a cutler  for breach of warranty. 

The 1803 will always hold a special place with me.  My first Napoleonic sword was an 1803.  It had a slightly curved, pipe backed  (a rod incorporated to the blade's spine intended to increase strength) fighting blade. The guard had a substantial amount of gilding remaining with all of the leather wrap and wire present.  The etched  blade had approximately 25% of the blue and gilt still present.  Based upon the form of the royal coat of arms etched on the blade, I could date the sword to the Napoleonic era (the 1803 was carried as an official pattern for several years after the Napoleonic Wars).  It's black leather scabbard was complete and in very good shape with some minor crazing (cracking of the finish) with all of the hardware present. The locket bore the name of the retailer, but time and wear had rendered it too faint to read despite my best  efforts. 

As time passed, so did my collecting interests. I made a decision to move from Napoleonic swords into 18th century blades.  As a result, I sold off many if my Napoleonic swords to be pay the much higher prices of the 18th century short sabres and cavalry baskethilts that I was collecting.  A sword collecting friend from England contacted me and inquired into purchasing this 1803.  We agreed upon a price and I shipped the sword to him.  It normally takes a week to ten days for a package that size to make the transatlantic journey.  After a few weeks, my friend emailed and notified me that he had not received the sword.  We debated upon what to do and agreed to give it a bit more time. More weeks passed and the sword still had not arrived.  Three months after I shipped the sword, right as  I was on the verge of submitting a claim for the loss, I received a phone call from my friend.  We had never spoken in person.  I'll never forgot him saying that the sword finally arrived. The box was battered and had been rifled through, but the sword was fine.  It had been held up by British customs for two and one half months. He said that he figured that the news of the sword's final arrival merited a transatlantic phone call.  He was right. 

The Gorget

The last vestige of knightly armour, this decorative piece of metal was suspended around the neck of officers in the 18th century and early 19th centuries.   Originally, gorgets were a metal or stiff leather collar intended to protect the throat and neck. In fact, the term is derived from the French word for throat.  In the 18th century, the size of the gorget diminished as it became a piece of adornment for the uniform -- another sign of the rank of an officer. 

 

By the 18th century, the gorget shrank to a small piece of crescent shaped metal.  Suspension around the neck was by chain or ribbon. 

Colonel George Washington of the Virginia Regiment. 

As the examples below demonstrate, the gorget bore arms distinctive to the nation or monarch of the officer. Often, regimental numbers or symbols were etched on the gorget for that distinctive flair.   18th and 19th century gorgets are found in brass, gilded brass, silver and brass or silver with enamel.  As with officer's swords of the time, the gorget was as ornate as the officer could afford. 

 French gorget

British gorget

British gorget

French Napoleonic Gorget

Dutch gorget

Hessian gorget

The gorget made its way into the new world as a trade item.  Europeans exchanged gorgets with Native Americans for pelts and other goods.  

By the 1830s, most of the world's military ceased wearing the gorget.  However, it's use is seen in the 20th century -- most notably by the German military. 

Imperial German gorget

German WWII military police gorget

German Reich Labor gorget

German WWII standard bearer gorget

I've always considered the gorget an interesting proposition for collecting, but have not entered the field. With so many variations, and with relative ease of display, a collector could assemble quite a large and impressive collection. German WWII gorgets are easily found in the market and at a varied price range. As with everything German WWII, non-military items are the most affordable with SS items garnering the highest prices.  I have not encounter many 18th or 19th century gorgets on the market.  The few that I have seen bore significant price tags.  Due to the popularity of reenacting, gorgets have been reproduced. The reproductions are fairly easily to spot, but the buyer should beware of false aging and other faking techniques. 

The British 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword

As I have stated before, heavy cavalry during the 18th and 19th centuries played a specific role on the battlefield.  Big men mounted on big horses wielding big swords.   

In 1796, the British would deviate from arming the King's heavy cavalryman with a long, relatively narrow, spear pointed sword.  Rather, the King's Board of Ordinance adopted a long, straight, wide bladed, hatchet point sword for heavy cavalry.   This sword is known as the pattern 1796 heavy cavalry sword. 

The sword is also known as a disk hilt sword and is derived from the Austrian model 1769 pallasch.  It is approximately 35 inches long with the blade bearing one fuller and being of the backsword type (with the spine being unedged and flat).  The iron disk hilt is somewhat crude looking and has a single knuckle bow and has two languets protruding down the blade. I've heard the purpose of languets to be to either trap and break an opponent's blade or to hold the sword securely in the scabbard.    I'm not positive of the real function of the languet, but this sword is not intended for fencing or finesse swordplay.  It is for hacking, pure and simple.  The hilt has an iron backstrap that incorporates two "ears" which are folded down and secure the grip. Thr grip is wood wrapped with cord and covered with leather. 

The sword depicted to this point is the troopers' model.  Regulations required that officers have two swords.  The dress pattern, also known as a boat shell hilt:

 

and the undress pattern,also known as a ladder back due to decorative cut outs in the knucklebow. 

 

1796 heavy troopers' swords are found with period armoury and field modifications.  The hatchet point is often found ground down to a spear point.  This was done reportedly prior to Waterloo to render the sword more of a thrust weapon so that troopers would stand a better chance hen facing Napoleon's armored cuirassiers.   Also, examples are found with the inside portion of the disk ground away (for comfort when the sword is worn on the side and to prevent wear on the uniform) and with the languets removed (because quite frankly they appear to be useless).

The 1796 heavy cavalry sword is a brute of a weapon.   Fans of Bernard Cornwell's British Napoleonic rifle officer, Richard Sharp, will remember that he carries a 1796 heavy cavalry troopers' sword at his side.  Having owned a few of these beasts over the years, I think it highly doubtful that any foot officer would carry such a weapon. It is far too long to walk around with at your side and certainly too long and heavy to fight with on foot. 

These swords command high prices on the market due to popularity and the relatively few examples available.   The British simply did not have that many heavy cavalry regiments and, therefore, fewer heavy cavalry swords.  Officer's undress examples and regimentally marked swords bring the highest prices. Beware of faked regimental designations on troopers' swords. Also, the sword, both officers' and troopers' models have been reproduced. Look for British cutler names, such as Gill, Wooley & Deakin, Reddell, Bates, Osborn & Gunby and Osbourne, stamped on the spine of he blade  as well as inspector's stamps on blades.

 Inspector's stamps will be a crown with a number underneath.  Regimental designations are founded stamped or etched typically on the guard or knucklebow and on the top side of the scabbard.  They will appear as a regimental abbreviation with a troop letter and rack number for the sword. for example:   

3d DG

 B/32

meaning that the sword, or scabbard, was issued to Troop B of 3rd Dragoon Guards and numbered 32.  The designation form depicted above is known in the collecting world as the British fraction.  The letters "YC" if found in the British fraction stand for yeomanry (or volunteer) cavalry.  A sword ith these markings, although unit identified, will not garner as high of a price as one designated to a regular army regiment, because the sword likely never left the British Isles during its service life.   Do not be concerned if the regimental or inspection marks differ between sword and scabbard. When the swords were placed into storage or decommissioned, regimental armourers often mismatched swords and scabbards. 

Finally,  make sure that what you are buying is a British sword and not the Austrian predecessor or a later Austrian sword.  The Austrian 1824 heavy cavalry pallasch, shown below, looks quite similar to the British 1796 heavy cavalry sword. 

The British 1796 heavy cavalry sword is an ugly weapon. However, the weapon has mystique. I am fortunate to have had a few in my collection. 

Note:  The photos used are not of swords that I own or have owned. Rather they are examples commonly found on the Internet in the public domain. 

The Sturmgewehr 44

Look familiar? Those interested in modern arms may think that this weapon is an early Soviet Ak-47.  This is the German Sturmgewehr 44.   The literal translation means "storm rifle," and is one of the worlds first fully automatic, mass produced assault rifles.  

STG44 development  commenced in 1942 as a result of Operation Barbarossa -- the German invasion of the Soviet Union.   The workhorse of the German army, the bolt action Kar 98 rifle, was no match for the large number of semi and fully automatic Soviet infantry weapons.  While German NCOs and select troops carried a variety of sub machine guns, such as the Erma and MP40, these weapons fired a 9mm pistol round that lacked the range and firepower of a larger rifle round. Hence the STG44 --the rapid fire capability of a sub machine gun with the range and punch of a rifle. 

German WWII wartime production has always interested me.  Infighting in the highly bureaucratic German government caused Hitler to twice suspend production of the STG44.  Hitler was obsessed with secret weapons and weapons of massive size.  Rather than produce weapons and materials that were simple, relatively inexpensive and quickly manufactured (thus received sooner in the field by the troops), Hitler directed his armament developers to produce the weapons at he believed would instill such fear in the Allies that they would be forced to seek peace.    Thankfully, and due to Hitler, the STG44 did not reach the hands of German troops early enough in the war to turn the tide.  

Many weapons throughout history have had accessories. The STG44 is no exception, but it has one of the strangest accessories ever produced.   Enter the kummlauf -- literally "curved barrel."  The kummlauf is a bent barrel extension that could be affixed to the STG44.  It's purpose was to allow the user to shoot around corners or over the sides of armored personnel carriers without being exposed to counter fire.  A version was also made for tanks.  The kummlauf came with dual sports mirrors and in a variety of colors.   Kidding -- but it did have a mirror with which to see around corners. 

While the STG44 did not alter the course of the war, it did have an impact in the field and earned  the attention of Germany's adversaries, specifically the Soviets.  The STG44's descendent,the Russian and later Chinese AK-47, played a significant role in the Cold War and beyond. 

 

Nashville Plow Works

A well known Biblical verse concerns the beating of swords into plough shares.  It is ironic that a Nashville, Tennessee firm did the opposite. Nashville Plow Works, also known as Sharp & Hamilton, beat plows into swords during the early days of the Civil War. 

The firm was in operation as a weapons manufacturer from 1861 until the Federal capture of Nashville in 1862.  During that brief period of time, the firm manufactured a large number of swords for the Confederacy ranging from enlisted men's sabres to staff and field officer's swords. 

The sabres produced by Nashville Plow Works tend to be on the crude side and are often associated with the western Confederate armies.  

One if the most desirable swords of this firm is the cavalry officer's model which bears CSA on the underside of the guard as depicted below.

Note the dimpled design in the brass guard which is another hallmark of the firm. 

Swords are found unmarked, marked with Nashville Plow Works or Sharp and Hamilton on the underside of the guard or stamped into the ricasso. 

Please note that these swords, especially the officer' cavalry sword, have been mass reproduced.   Due to their popularity, originals command significant prices.  Buyers should beware of fakes as a mistake will be costly. 

  Original sword 

Reproduction.  Note that the CSA is too raised and the overly deep dimpling on the guard.   Also, any sword this shiny should be a red flag. New brass is easily distinguished from old brass.  However, and experienced faker will artificially age brass to give it the patina of 150 years. I would buy a Confederate sword only from a reputable dealer who guarantees the authenticity of the piece.  

The sword shown immediately above  is a reproduction that is commonly found on the market. It is produced for reenactors and collectors of reproductions and can be obtained  from a variety of sources on the Internet.  The price tag for the reproduction is dwarfed by that of the original.   

The Bearskin Bonnet

Today, bearskin bonnets are most most associated with the British guards regiments. 

This form of military headgear gained popularity in the 18th century, as a badge of honor for elite units. After all, the bear is a fierce fighter.  Grenadier company's in the 18th century were often equipped with bearskins.  Historically, a grenadier was a soldier who carried grenades into battle.  Not grenades in the modern sense, but rather hand held bombs.  The soldier lit the  bomb's fuse with a slow match (slow burning, twisted cord) carried in a metallic vessel attached to his cross belt and threw in into the enemy's ranks.  

By the 18th century, grenadiers no longer carried hand bombs.  However, they were an elite flank company in a regiment.  Grenadiers were tall and imposing. As heavy cavalry served to role of "shock troops," so did grenadiers.  Already tall men, the bearskins increased their height to make then more imposing. The British monarchy ordered its grenadiers to wear the bearskin in 1768. The Don Troiani painting depicted below is a good representation of a British 18th century grenadier company (this one from the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers) in service during the American Revolution.   

By the Napoleonic Wars, grenadier companies in regiments ceased to exist. The British military seems to have fine away with the designation altogether.  In the the army of Napoleon I, however, the title remained on a regimental basis, but with limited wearing of the Bearskin.  The most notable of these regiments being the Imperial Grenadier Guard regiments.  Fondly referred to his "Old Guard," the men comprising these regiments were older and experienced -- having fought in the early battles of the wars. They were typically of larger stature and wore an excessively tall bearskin bonnet.  Napoleon sent in the Old Guard to apply the coup de gras to his opponents.  

For the most part, the British army during the Napoleonic Wars did not wear the bearskin.   One cavalry regiment, however, is an exception.  The 2nd Royal North British Dragoons, or Scots Greys, wore a bearskin.  Queen Anne bestowed the honour of wearing the bearskin upon the regiment in 1706 due to its service during the Battle of Ramillies.  The regiment is most famous for its charge of the French Grand Battery at Waterloo, as depicted by the portion Lady Jane Grey's massive painting of the event depicted below.

After the Battle of Waterloo, George III awarded the 1st Regiment of  Royal Foot Guards the title "Grenadier" and the honor of wearing the bearskin. The King bestowed this honour to reward the 1st Foot Guards for their role in defeating Napoleon' Grenadier Guards.  In the 1830s, the monarchy extended the honor of the bearskin to the other regiments of the Household Guards Division:  the Coldstream Guards (never call a member of this regiment a guardsman, they are referred to as Coldstreamers); the Scots Guards; the Irish Guards; and the Welsh Guards.  The  regiments' bearskins are distinguished by whether or not they are adorned with a hackle (a horsehair plume), the color of the hackle and the side of the bearskin upon which the hackle is worn.  Of course, officers' bearskins are taller and more ornamented that those of the other ranks. 

Traditionally, British  bearskins are made of the fur of the male black Canadian bear.  However, the fur of the female brown Canadian bear, dyed black, has also been used.  The fur is mounted on a wicker frame with a leather hat band.  There is no visor. 

The use of real fur has been the subject of debate over the years with the disagreement not limited to modern day political correctness.  In the late 1800s, there was an outcry from Americans opposing the killing of bears to make bearskins  due to the dwindling animal population.   Looking online, most recently a push to abolish real bearskin use occurred in 2008. As of 2012, the British Ministry of Defense has bee. considering a faux alternative.  

18th or 19th bearskins are not readily found in the militaria market.  There are reproductions, but they come with a fairly high price tag.  I was fortunate enough to own a 1930s Coldstreamers bearskin a few years ago.   As a sidenote, it is said that the hair on the skin continues to grow. I don't know if that is true or not, but the image below, posted by a friend of mine on Facebook, tends to support the assertion.