The French Hussars. Vol. 1

Just over a century separates the creation of the first Hussar unit and the beginning of this study.

The first royal Hussars regiment was formed in Strasburg in 1693, after the good behaviour of 'these Hungarian deserters' whom the Maréchal of Luxemburg used to give the rear of the enemy troops a hard time. Disbanded in 1697, the regiment was reformed four years later. It was offered by the Elector of Bavaria to Louis XIV and took the name of Saint-Genies Hussars in 1707,

On 1 October 1786, new regulations were brought out concerning uniforms, equipment and weapons for the King of France's Armies.

To a greater or lesser degree, these regulations - in many ways they were almost legendary - set the standard for soldiers'uniforms to come until the middle of the First Empire.