Dragoon cap - Amazing what a steam can do.

[BenVK]

I've been after one of these for a long time but they've always alluded me.
Just love the colour combination.

This one wasn't in the best shape, pasteboard obviously bent and cracked and some insect damage but the price was very reasonable so I pulled the trigger anyway.

Glad I did because after a steam and some gentle cleaning, shaping, it turned out pretty good.

Still not sure whether this is a: (Thanks to Tony's website )

Dragoner-Regt. von Bredow (1. Schlesisches) Nr.4 (Lüben) V Armee Korps

or a:

2. Badisches Dragoner-Regt. Nr.21 (Bruchsal/Schwetzingen) XIV Armee Korps

Can anyone help explain how to decipher the difference?

Here's the auction photos first, it looking a bit grubby and crushed.

[BenVK]

And after a steam clean.

I wouldn't recommend trying to clean these things if you don't know what your doing.
You could easily destroy them.

[BenVK]

All the Cavalry caps I've seen and handled have been top quality, no surprise there I guess!

[stonemint]

Ben, killer hat, fantastic resto work (as usual!)
PS--glad to see you are dabbling in Imperial visors again--

[BenVK]

Thanks mate, I love Imperial caps, much more than TR ones.
Currently reading a book about Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen for about the 4th time!!
Hats from this era, especially if you had some money to spend, are the best, IMO, that German artisans could offer.

[ROBB]

Really cool cap and nicely resurrected. I have bought a couple lately as well . Rob

[kaiserwilhelm2]

[Robert Shoaf]

Great job, Ben. I believe this is definitely a Prussian dragoon cap, given the silver & black state cockade; Baden would be gold and red for officers.
The Prussian 4th & Baden 21st regiments both are listed with pale or light yellow facings, so methinks this one is for the 4th.
My dragoon officer's cap has brighter yellow colors, so it must be for either the Prussian 8th or 16th regiments.

Bob Shoaf

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Hi Bob, Another beauty