Original Imperial German Late 19th Century Prussian Model 1894 Fusilier Battalion 1st Foot Guards Grenadiers Mitre Cap with Chinscales & Pom-Pom
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and difficult-to-find original Imperial German Prussian Model 1894 Grenadiermütze, or mitre cap, for the Fusilier Battalion of the 1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß. Introduced in 1894 as a revival of the traditional Frederician grenadier cap, this distinctive full-dress headdress was worn by one of the most prestigious regiments of the Prussian Army. Although well worn from age and use, this example remains substantially complete, retaining its elaborate metal front plate, yellow wool body, chinscales, and most of its original leather liner. The Fusilier variation is far more difficult to find than the 1st & 2nd Battalions.
The Model 1894 was deliberately patterned after the tall grenadier mitres associated with the army of Frederick the Great and reflected the strong ceremonial traditions maintained by the Prussian Guard. Within the 1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß, the Fusilier Battalion wore the distinctive yellow-bodied version represented by this example, while the regiment’s 1st and 2nd Battalions used a related pattern with a red cloth body. This color distinction makes the surviving yellow wool especially important in identifying the cap with the Fusilier Battalion.
This Prussian example has a lovely and correct silver-plated brass front plate with an eagle clutching a sword and arrows in its talons. Above the eagle in a banner is the motto of the 1st and 2nd Battalions that reads as PRO GLORIA ET PATRIA which translates to “for glory and fatherland”. The front plate is in wonderful condition and does not show any signs of extensive damage though there is some wear toward the top edge.
Militarily, this headdress came in different styles. The Prussian style had a cone-shaped brass or white metal front with a cloth rear having lace braiding; the Russian style initially consisted of a tall brass plate atop of a leather cap with a peak at the rear, although the German model was subsequently adopted. The British style—usually simply called a "grenadier cap" instead of a mitre—had a tall cloth front with elaborate regimental embroidery forward of a sloping red back, lined in white. Some German and Russian fusilier regiments also wore a mitre with a smaller brass front-plate.
The chin scales are present with a solid leather backing though the buckle is not currently buckled, the chinscales just attached at their latch. They attach the same way an Officer’s Pickelhaube does and there appears to be no damage to the lugs on each side. The yellow wool “bag” is in very good overall condition with staining, minor separation and moth nips, while the separating white silk strips show moderate fraying towards the top. The leather liner is still mostly present though worn with the stitching in good shape, but the tie string is gone.
A yellow-and-white plume or pompon accompanies the cap, though it appears to be a later addition fitted for display and should not be regarded as original to this specific M1894 example. Period descriptions of enlisted Fusilier Battalion examples indicate use of a white-and-yellow pompon, so the supplied piece is visually appropriate even though its age and association with this cap cannot be confirmed. There is no proper slot for the attachment of the pom-pom, but it can be wedged for display purposes.
There is no visible size marking, though the cap measures approximately a modern size 7 ⅛. Despite the expected wear to the wool, silk trim, and liner, the combination of the distinctive yellow Fusilier Battalion body, elaborate PRO GLORIA ET PATRIA front plate, complete chinscales, and surviving original interior makes this an especially strong example of late-19th-century Prussian Guard ceremonial headgear.
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