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Friday, July 13, 2012

September Auction: Saxon Heavy Cavalry Helmet


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.


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