Olga's Regiment and Military Duties

Olga's regiment were hussars, so she wore their headdress, which is a fur cap known in English usage as a busby. A bearskin (worn here by the Foot Guards) is quite a bit taller.

If you google for pictures of the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, you will find busbies (and hussar-type full dress though without the pelisse).

Ann

Thanks, Ann I was wondering if the fur used on Olga's  Hussars headdress was also bear ...it would be interesting to know what type of fur was used. Are you saying size of the headdress  dictates what fur is used and bear would not be used for a Hussar's headdress ?

I'm not an expert on the subject, but I think hussar headdress is also bear fur. Guards bearskins are made from the hide of the Canadian black bear, but I think most hussar regiments wear brown busbies.

Fusilier regiments in the British Army wear fur headdress which is similar in shape to a Guards bearskin, but lower and with a badge on the front, but they are made of sealskin and look quite different.

Incidentally, as Colonel in Chief of the Royal Scots Greys Nicholas II also wore a bearskin - the Grey, and their successors the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, are the only cavalry to wear bearskins.

Ann

Page dedicated to Olga's Hussars...with terrific photos

http://olginshtab.narod.ru/index.html

Olga in white Hussar's uniform--a little different from her usual blue jacket.  Download for full size.

Thank you Dru!  =) I couldn't open this file on my computer. I love how painterly it is