Replica Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice replica example of an Imperial German Death's Head 2nd Life Hussars Regimental Busby or Pelzmütze (Fur Cap), intended for EM/NCO's or Mannschaften "Other Ranks" soldiers. Busby is of course the English name for the Hungarian prémes csákó ("fur shako") or kucsma, a military head-dress made of fur, originally worn by Hungarian hussars. In its original Hungarian form the busby was a cylindrical fur cap, having a bag of colored cloth hanging from the top. The end of this bag was attached to the right shoulder as a defense against sabre cuts.

After this the size and design were scaled down, and they became much more for looks than for actual protection. This example is very similar to the British Busby used by Hussars, but is definitely German in design. On the front is a massive Death's Head (Totenkopf) helmet plate in white metal, only used by the Leib Husaren (Life Hussars) regiments, and the helmet comes with its white Kolpak (slouch bag) hanging over the left ear. It also has a bandeau (ribbon) helmet plate with the Prussian Motto MIT GOTT FÜR KÖNIG UND VATERLAND (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia) on it. The white bag indicates it is for the 2nd Life Hussars "Queen Victoria of Prussia", first raised in 9 August 1741 along with the 1st Life Hussars. The rear of the helmet has a replica Fangschnur (securing cord) present, which looks good but is not really correctly made.

The busby is fitted with brass chin scales, which are attached to the sides of the helmets, and it has a Black / White / Red Reichskokarde around the attachment for the right side. The front of the helmet is however missing the correct Black / White Feldzeichen cockade. In 1897 the new Reichs-Kokarde in Red-White-Black was introduced for all ranks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kaiser Wilhelm 1st. The Reichs-Kokarde was to be worn on the right side of headwear, around the chinstrap lug.

The interior shows a maroon canvas lining with a black leather sweatband. There are some faded gold stamped markings on the top, which give the 2 LHR / 2 regimental designation, and a simulated maker name that is totally incorrect. Other features of the helmet clearly identify it as a replica, such as the crudely made bandeau, and kolpak that looks to be made from a fleece blanket. However in a collection it would certainly pass the "6 foot rule".

Extraordinary that before 1914 Cavalrymen actually wore these into battle but by 1918 every soldier had been issued with a STEEL HELMET and horses were largely made redundant with the use of Motor Transport. Representing the very last of the "Pomp and Circumstance" of Military uniforms, this still conveys a sense of Romance.

A nice affordably priced replica example, ready to fill a hole in your collection!

Use of the Totenkopf as a military emblem began under Frederick the Great, who formed a regiment of Hussar cavalry in the Prussian army commanded by Colonel von Ruesch, the Husaren-Regiment Nr. 5 (von Ruesch). It adopted a black uniform with a Totenkopf emblazoned on the front of its mirlitons and wore it on the field in the War of Austrian Succession and in the Seven Years' War. The Totenkopf remained a part of the uniform when the regiment was reformed into Leib-Husaren Regiments Nr.1 and Nr.2 in 1808. The skull continued to be used by the Prussian and Brunswick armed forces until 1918, and some of the stormtroopers that led the last German offensives on the Western Front in 1918 used skull badges. Luftstreitkräfte fighter pilots Georg von Hantelmann and Kurt Adolf Monnington are just two of a number of Central Powers military pilots who used the Totenkopf as their personal aircraft insignia.