By Charles Keller
The world of collectibles is full of rare and unique items, as every serious collector knows. Finding these items is the "spice" of collecting - those inspired little moments of satisfaction we all live for. Those on the outside might expect the world of military collectibles to be as rigid and predictable as military discipline itself, but the reality of it is very different. We at Manion's pride ourselves on recognizing and offering our customers these sorts of rare and obscure items. Often they are traded without their owners realizing these pieces as the little treasures they are. Shabraque badges are one of these treasures. Their story is obscure, but their appeal is very unique.
Heraldic traditions of mounted troops during the nineteenth century were indeed spectacular. No matter which country's mounted troops you examine - England, France, Russia, or Germany, all boast some of the most striking and majestic uniforms and accouterments. Nearly everything they used had a specific name, purpose, and heraldic tradition. Even saddle blankets were adorned with graceful royal cyphers, and branch insignia. Even though the American armed forces have historically tended to be pragmatic and functional in their approach to insignia, we have had our moments. Shabraque badges stand out as a unique example. They were insignia worn (technically) by our horses on their saddle blankets!
The word Shabraque descends to us from the original French term which Frederick the Great introduced into military vocabulary whilst compiling a new set of Prussian dress and equipment regulations. Americans used the term when referring to a mounted officer's saddle cloth. Not to be left behind their European counterparts, American mounted officers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries replaced royal cyphers with their branch of service insignia.
Most are one piece affairs, made of cast bronze, and about four times the size of a standard officer's device. Casting quality varies from device to device, ranging from superb to crude.
The world of collectibles is full of rare and unique items, as every serious collector knows. Finding these items is the "spice" of collecting - those inspired little moments of satisfaction we all live for. Those on the outside might expect the world of military collectibles to be as rigid and predictable as military discipline itself, but the reality of it is very different. We at Manion's pride ourselves on recognizing and offering our customers these sorts of rare and obscure items. Often they are traded without their owners realizing these pieces as the little treasures they are. Shabraque badges are one of these treasures. Their story is obscure, but their appeal is very unique.
Heraldic traditions of mounted troops during the nineteenth century were indeed spectacular. No matter which country's mounted troops you examine - England, France, Russia, or Germany, all boast some of the most striking and majestic uniforms and accouterments. Nearly everything they used had a specific name, purpose, and heraldic tradition. Even saddle blankets were adorned with graceful royal cyphers, and branch insignia. Even though the American armed forces have historically tended to be pragmatic and functional in their approach to insignia, we have had our moments. Shabraque badges stand out as a unique example. They were insignia worn (technically) by our horses on their saddle blankets!
The word Shabraque descends to us from the original French term which Frederick the Great introduced into military vocabulary whilst compiling a new set of Prussian dress and equipment regulations. Americans used the term when referring to a mounted officer's saddle cloth. Not to be left behind their European counterparts, American mounted officers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries replaced royal cyphers with their branch of service insignia.
Most are one piece affairs, made of cast bronze, and about four times the size of a standard officer's device. Casting quality varies from device to device, ranging from superb to crude.
Perhaps other readers will have more information or photos regarding these fascinating insignia. If so, let us hear from you!
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