HIRIART 1st Dragoons (1 Viewer)

[ucla1967]

John K. (Jackson on the Forum) sent me two photos of his Hiriart non-catalog set of the 1st Dragoons which I thought I would share. A very handsome display.

 

[ucla1967]

John also sent me a photo of Hiriart's non-catalog set of his 1st Dragoon Guards. He mentioned that he has an early version, larger group of the 1st Dragoon Guard carrying carbines, too.

 

[4th Hussar]

Why the difference in helmets and plumes ? ^&confuse

 

[Al Fisher]

Musicians have different colored plumes than troopers.

Bosun Al

 

[johnnybach]

Why the difference in helmets and plumes ? ^&confuse

In the late 17th Century, Dragoons were mounted Infantry - armed with muskets - whereas the true Heavy Cavalry were known as Regiments of Horse. From around the middle of the 18th Century, the regiments of Horse were all made into Dragoons by the War Office - purely as an economy measure, as Dragoons received less pay and rode somewhat inferior horses.

To reduce the Heavy Cavalry's resentment to these economy measures, they were given the title "Dragoon Guards". The Dragoons, were later to become Light Cavalry. The Heavy Cavalry wore a Household Cavalry type of helmet - in brass for Dragoon Guards - whereas the Dragoons wore one in white metal. jb

 

[4th Hussar]

In the late 17th Century, Dragoons were mounted Infantry - armed with muskets - whereas the true Heavy Cavalry were known as Regiments of Horse. From around the middle of the 18th Century, the regiments of Horse were all made into Dragoons by the War Office - purely as an economy measure, as Dragoons received less pay and rode somewhat inferior horses.

To reduce the Heavy Cavalry's resentment to these economy measures, they were given the title "Dragoon Guards". The Dragoons, were later to become Light Cavalry. The Heavy Cavalry wore a Household Cavalry type of helmet - in brass for Dragoon Guards - whereas the Dragoons wore one in white metal. jb

Thanks Johnnybach, I never understood the difference before

 

[ucla1967]

In the late 17th Century, Dragoons were mounted Infantry - armed with muskets - whereas the true Heavy Cavalry were known as Regiments of Horse. From around the middle of the 18th Century, the regiments of Horse were all made into Dragoons by the War Office - purely as an economy measure, as Dragoons received less pay and rode somewhat inferior horses.

To reduce the Heavy Cavalry's resentment to these economy measures, they were given the title "Dragoon Guards". The Dragoons, were later to become Light Cavalry. The Heavy Cavalry wore a Household Cavalry type of helmet - in brass for Dragoon Guards - whereas the Dragoons wore one in white metal. jb

Thanks JB, like 4th Hussar, I didn't understand the difference before. I think I have it straight. Let's see, the Dragoons, which were mounted infantry, became light cavalry while the Regiments of Horse, which were heavy cavalry, became Dragoon Guards. Were the lancers a offshoot of the light cavalry?

Mike

 

[johnnybach]

I think the general answer to your question Mike - is yes. Whilst the lance is an old cavalry weapon - it was the Poles who raelly popularised both the weapon - and the uniform in Europe. The Lance however, is most effective as a shock weapon in the charge - it is much less effective against other cavalry - where the sabre is more effective in the melee. For this reason, it was usually confined to the front rank of the charge.

In the British Army - the 16th Queens Lancers was first raised in 1759 - as The 16th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons. They became lancers only in 1816 as The Queens Regiment of light Dragoons (Lancers) - and were the first Regiment to actually use the weapon in anger - in 1826 - at the Siege of Bhurtpore. jb

 

[ucla1967]

I think the general answer to your question Mike - is yes. Whilst the lance is an old cavalry weapon - it was the Poles who raelly popularised both the weapon - and the uniform in Europe. The Lance however, is most effective as a shock weapon in the charge - it is much less effective against other cavalry - where the sabre is more effective in the melee. For this reason, it was usually confined to the front rank of the charge.

In the British Army - the 16th Queens Lancers was first raised in 1759 - as The 16th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons. They became lancers only in 1816 as The Queens Regiment of light Dragoons (Lancers) - and were the first Regiment to actually use the weapon in anger - in 1826 - at the Siege of Bhurtpore. jb

Thanks, JB.