This is an Enlisted Musician’s Erste Garde Regiment zu Fuß Bataillon Nr I or II Mitre. It boasts the “Semper Talis” bandeau on its ornate silver front plate. The cloth back is red with ornate white strips for trim. Its red Puschel indicates that it was worn by a musician. Elite regiments, as well as many line regiments, had their own bands that led the regiment during parades. The Mitre’s interior features a soft leather liner similar to those found in pickelhauben. The number 54 appears on one of the liner’s petals, with a name appearing on another petal, as well as a very faint maker’s name stamped on a third petal. Its condition is excellent, with NO moth holes or dirt smudges on the red fabric. This is a beautiful Mitre that was only worn by two Bataillone of one Regiment, or 0.2% of the Imperial German Army.
A lovely addition to any helmet collection’s display is a military miniature displaying that helmet. Uniforms also complement a helmet, but they require much more space and staging. A well-painted military miniature can add that extra piece of information about the uniform when displaying cloth is NOT the answer. To that end, we are including a single miniature of a pre-1894 Erste Garde Regiment zu Fuß Fahnenträger wearing the Friedrich der Große-style Mitre and carrying a flag with multiple battle streamers. Do note the two buttonholes on his sleeves and the distinctive Puschel crowning his Mitre.