VON RATTZKY?

[mkarnowka]

I keep seeing figures and busts of the Von Rattzky rgt. and know nothing about their history. Could someone enlighten me? Their dress looks Eastern to me. TIA, MK

 

[bert]

Hello Michael

Hope I can enlighten you. The hussars were originally riders from Hungary, and some deserters were enrolled in the Royal Army of Louis XIII in 1688. More regiments of the "hussards du Roi" were created through the 1690's, to form a corps serving the King of France. One of the regiment; "Regiment de Saint Genies" created in 1701 take the name of "the hussar de Rattsky" in 1707.

Originally, these regiments would incorporate riders from Alsace, hungarian, german or polish prisonners or desertors.

In their dressing, they kept the original look of the hungarian riders, hence the "eastern look" you have noticed.

Some more details on this site, Hussards et compagnies franches (sorry the text is in french only)

Best regards

 

[bert]

Sorry for the mistake, you have to read Louis XIV not Louis XIII ....

 

[mkarnowka]

Thanks for the info, since some of them have Polish lineage among the others you listed, i may pick up a piece at a show and go for a different paint finish over the usual OD or Khaki. I appreciate the time you took to give me a concise explaination. Regards, MK