Mecklenburg-Schwerin Leibgarde zu Pferde

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Origin and History

At the end of the 17^th century, a Leibgarde zu Pferde was raised and disbanded in May 1702.

On August 24, 1705, Colonel Waldemar Gustav von Wedel became Chef of the Krassow Dragoons. After his death on September 4, 1708, Duke Frederic William made himself owner of the regiment, which was now designated as Leibregiment (zu Pferde).

In 1719, after the Reichsexekution against Duke Carl Leopold, most of the Mecklenburg-Schwerin troops were sent to Russia. But the duke was able to save a little part of his military forces, including cavalry, at the fortress of Dömitz. This cavalry force was not strong, a muster roll of the Hochfürstl. Mecklenburgischen Leib Regiment zu Pferde from November 26, 1727 mentioned only 113 men, more precisely:

• 1 commanding officer (Major Hans-Ulrich von Wenckstern)
• 1 quartermaster
• 4 corporals
• 1 kettle drummer
• 5 trumpeters
• 2 surgeons
• 99 troopers

In 1747, Duke Christian II. Ludwig ordered a reinforcement of his military and in 1748 a new Leibgarde zu Pferde was raised with a single company of 60 men. In 1756, its strength amounted to 36 troopers and some unmounted men. The unit was trained after the drill book of the Württemberg Garde du Corps: "Exerzierreglement von seiner hochfürstlichen Durchlaucht zu Württenberg Eskadron Guarde du Corps."

By 1760, the unit had been increased to 2 squadrons, each of 2 companies, for a total of 230 men.

During the Seven Years' War, the successive commanders of the unit were:

• until December 14, 1747: Lieutenant-Colonel Ulrich Hans von Blücher
• from 1747: Prince (since 1756 hereditary prince) Ludwig, Duke of Mecklenburg
• from 1760: Colonel Otto von Barsse

After the Seven Years’ War, the regiment was disbanded, only the first squadron remained as Leibgarde zu Pferd. In 1810 the remnants of the Leibgarde zu Pferd were amalgamated with the 4th Battalion of the Mecklenburg Kontingentsregiment to form the Grenadier-Gardebataillon.

Service during the War

Towards the middle of the Seven Years’ War, Duke Frederic I. reinforced his military. In 1760 the Leibgarde zu Pferd was augmented to 230 men in 4 companies and renamed Leib-Regiment zu Pferde.

Uniform

Until 1760, as Leibgarde zu Pferde, the uniform was kornblau (probably kornblumenblau = cornflower blue), no further details are known.

In 1760, as Leib-Regiment zu Pferde, the regiment probably adopted an almost identical copy of the uniform of the Württemberg Garde du Corps.

Troopers in 1760

Uniform in 1760 - Courtesy: Boris Brink

Uniform in 1760

Headgear	black tricorne laced gold with a black cockade on the left side
Neckstock	black
Coat	straw yellow Collar crimson Shoulder Straps no information found Lapels no information found Pockets no information found, probably horizontal pockets with 3 brass buttons Cuffs crimson with white edging, each with 3 brass buttons and 3 white laced buttonholes Turnbacks crimson edged white
Waistcoat	crimson bordered with a white lace
Breeches	buff or yellow leather
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt no information found Waistbelt no information found Cartridge Box no information found Gloves no information found Scabbard no information found Footgear black riding boots
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth crimson Housing probably crimson

NCOs in 1760

The waistcoat was richly decorated with gold lace.

Officers

Officers wore a golden sash with a red and a blue stripes around the waist.

Standards

The unit had only a Leibstandarte, which still exists in a private collection.

Leibstandarte: white silk field with the great coat of arms flanked by a black bull (left) and a golden griffin (right), standing on golden rococo-style ornaments and surmounted by a golden ducal crown. The standard had silver fringes and was approximately 75 cm by 75 cm.

Leibstandarte - Source: Richard Couture, Kronoskaf

References

Keubke, Erna und Klaus-Ulrich; Mumm, Ralf: Das Mecklenburger Militär und seine Uniformen 1701-1918, Schriften zur Geschichte Mecklenburgs, Band 15, Schwerin 2005

Jahrbücher des Vereins für Mecklenburgische Geschichte und Altertumskunde (Mecklenburgische Jahrbücher) 1836-1940

• Schäfer, Ernst: Mecklenburgs Militärwesen vor und in den Freiheitskriegen: Vortrag, gehalten im Verein für Mecklenburgische Geschichte und Altertumskunde am 21. Oktober 1913, bei der Erinnerungsfeier an die Leipziger Schlacht; Vol. 80 (1915), pp. 97-114

Acknowledgements

Volker Scholz for the initial version of this article and Boris Brink for additional info on the origin and uniform of the regiment.