Prussian Leib-Regiment

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Origin and History

Leib-Regiment in 1701. - Source: Richard Knötel Uniformkunde

The regiment originated from the guard of the Margrave of Brandenburg created in 1615.

By 1656, the regiment consisted of four battalions and took part in the Battle of Warsaw.

By the time of the War of the Spanish Succession, the “Leib-Regiment” was also known as the “Leib-Garde”, or the “Churmärkische Leibgarde” or the “Preußische Leibgarde.”

In 1707, the regiment became known as the "Fusilier-Garde".

During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regimental Chefs were:

• from 24 August 1689: Count Johannes Albrecht von Barfuss
• from 18 August 1702 to 17 April 1723: Count Alexander Hermann von Wartensleben

At the end of the War of the Spanish Succession in 1713, the regiment was reorganised as a regular field infantry regiment under the name of “Wartensleben Infantry” and counted two battalions, its third battalion having been distributed among various infantry regiments.

Service during the War

In 1708, the regiment contributed two battalions to the creation of a new infantry regiment. It now consisted of only three battalions.

Uniforms

From 1700, each Prussian unit started to wear a distinguishing uniform. A regulation was issued in 1709 to standardize the uniform and equipment.

Privates

Uniform Details in 1701 as per Knötel

Headgear	Musketeer black tricorne laced white Grenadier blue and white mitre cap with a silver front plate and a white pompom.
Neck stock	white
Coat	blue with white lining with white buttons on the right side Collar none Shoulder Straps none Lapels none Pockets horizontal pockets Cuffs white, each with 2 white buttons Turnbacks none
Waistcoat	white
Breeches	white
Stockings	white
Gaiters	white
Leather Equipment	Cross belt natural leather Waist belt natural leather waist-belt worn above the coat Cartridge Pouch black leather pouch; cover flap edged gold and decorated with the golden “FR” cipher surmounted by a golden crown Bayonet Scabbard none Scabbard black Footwear low black shoes

Armaments consisted of a musket and a sword. Grenadiers were also armed with hand grenades.

NCOs

To do

Officers

Uniforms of officers were always of finer cloth, better cut and better embroideries than those of the privates.

Officers carried a spontoon, an epee and a black and silver sash. From 1709, they also had a black and silver porte-epee and a gorget.

Musicians

To do

Colours

There are several representations of colours deemed to be those of the Leib-Regiment at various time during the war.

Tentative Reconstruction

Leibfahne of the Kurmärkischen Garde in 1701 - Copyright: Kronoskaf	Leibfahne of the Märkischen Garde in 1702 - Copyright: Kronoskaf
Leibfahne of the Fusilier Garde circa 1707 - Copyright: Kronoskaf

The Regimentsfahne were orange.

References

Fahnen und Standarten der brandenburgisch preussischen Armee, 1623-1713; Redlin, Reinhold, compiler & publisher 1975

Les Triomphes de Louis XIV, a collection of five books now kept at the Cabinet des Estampes of the Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris

Hohrath, Daniel: The Uniforms of the Prussian Army under Frederick the Great from 1740 to 1786; Vol. 2; Verlag Militaria, Vienna: 2011, p. 12

Knötel, Richard, Uniformkunde, Lose Blätter zur Geschichte der Entwicklung der militärischen Tracht, vol. X, plate 41, Rathenow 1890-1921

Seyfart, F.: Kurzgefassete Geschichte aller königlichen preussischen Regimented, welche bis in dem September 1760 fortgesetzet, Nuremberg, 1760, pp. 1-2

Wikipedia

• German Wikipedia
  • Preußische Armee
  • Altpreußisches Infanterieregiment No. 1 (1806)