French Dromedaries headgear

[DaddyO]

Afternoon all.

Here's a question to tickle any Napoleonic fan I'm currently working on the RP model of a French Dromedary cavalryman (Very nice it is too) I've trawled through my references and t'internet and found several plates which are of great help, but I'm struggling with a detail of the headgear.
The kit comes with a classic cavalry shako and cords and I've found an plate showing this uniform, but most seem to show what appears to be a 'padded' shako with vertical 'pleats' and no cords. This is a new one on me and since I'm already making a couple of changes to the figure I'd like to represent this unusual style of headgear - does anyone have further information about it?

I've attached a couple of images
Cheers
Paul

 

[Nap]

Hi Paul

Personally I would get the putty out and do a little converting to the padded version with or without the turban , many reference show that as well as shako so the choice is yours ....or you could scratch a bicorne as well

Look forward to seeing this piece progress

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[DaddyO]

Hi Paul

Personally I would get the putty out and do a little converting to the padded version with or without the turban , many reference show that as well as shako so the choice is yours ....or you could scratch a bicorne as well

Look forward to seeing this piece progress

Happy benchtime

Nap

View attachment 419609 View attachment 419610 View attachment 419611

Cheers Kev - that was my plan mate (Once I've finished sorting the camely thing out anyway. I decided to work from the ground up on this one since it's mounted on one hoof. I'll post some pics once I've made a bit of pregress)

I was just curious about the shako because in most images it looks like it has pads on the sides which I'd never come across before

Toodlepip
Leggy

 

[arj]

Hi Paul,

I believe the hat is called a Cahouc.
That is based on an article in Figurines Magazine (No. 15, page 58).
The description of the shako in question is given as:-

"15.Cahouc
La forme est probablement en cuir cannelé et recouvert de drap écarlate. Le modèle porté par
les Mamelouks n'en possédant pas, on a rajou- té une visière de cuir noirci sur Ie devant. De la
cocarde de fils sort la tige d'un plumet écartate, obligatoire depuis I'ordre du jour du 21 mai 1800."

a quick Google translate yields the following:-

"The form is probably fluted leather and covered with scarlet cloth. The model worn by
the Mameluks do not have one, a blackened leather visor has been added to the front. Of the
cockade of son comes out the stem of a spread plume, obligatory since the agenda of May 21, 1800."

I think the translator got a bit befuddled by 'cocarde de fils' (whatever that is).

I've attached scans of the article, should you wish to practice your French.



I hope the above is of some use.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[DaddyO]

Andrew you're a star

Thanks for taking the trouble to scan in the article and confirm the shako details . . . now where's the putty

Many thanks
Paul

 

[arj]

Hi Paul,

I'm pleased that was of some use.

Slight correction regarding the plume. It should be' scarlet', and not 'spread'.
it's all due to PEBCAK (problem exists between chair and keyboard).
I entered 'écartate' into the translator instead of 'écarlate'.
Looking at my QWERTY board, the 't' is nowhere near the 'l'.

Cheers,
Andrew