Saxony, Kingdom. A Rare Hussar Regiment Officer’s Busby

(Sächsische Pelzmütze für einen Offiziere im Husaren-Regiment). A rare and fine-quality Saxon Hussar Regiment Officer’s busby, constructed of a circular cylinder with reinforced sidewalls fully lined on the exterior with black bearskin. It features a flattened and indented crown topped by a layer of smooth red wool cloth from which a flap emanates and hangs over the back left side of the outer walls. A fully-intact knotted silver-grey wool cord descends from the back right side of the crown and similarly hangs over the side walls. Pinned onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a gilded bronze eight-pointed radiant star, overlaid by a silvered Saxon coat of arms, itself set within an oval laurel leaf wreath, and topped by a royal crown. The peak insignia measures 95 mm (w) x 95 mm (h) and is topped by a hollow insertion slot set into the walls, formerly accommodating a plume and cockade which have been lost to time. The busby is flanked on each side by a gilded bronze stud which retains a two-piece chinstrap consisting of a black leather base topped by gilded bronze scales which taper in width from the rivets to the centre, where the straps fasten together with a functional clip. The interior is fully encompassed by a pressed black leather liner which culminates in seven fingers, each perforated at the top with a hole through which is looped a period original drawstring. Unmarked, the busby measures approximately 235 mm (w) x 140 mm (h). Slight, age-appropriate material fatigue is evident to the leather elements in addition to the missing plume, but this scarce busby remains in a near extremely fine condition.