What is a shako: elements of a hussar costume

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Hussars are brave warriors, the beauty and pride of the Russian army of the 19th century, especially its first half. The hussar costume was very elegant, picturesque, and made a vivid impression. Therefore, representatives of this type of troops were known as heartthrobs and enjoyed the special disposition of the ladies.

Headwear

Fans of historical books and films probably know what a shako is. This is a headdress, an integral part of the hussar equipment. He was also popular with Russian cavalry until the First World War. Then this type of hat was replaced by another, more comfortable shape. What is a shako: in fact, a high cylinder with a visor. Its top is flat, and a tuft of feathers or horsehair was used as decoration. It was in this form that soldiers of many European states wore it. With a large number of inconveniences, this hat still well protected the soldiers' heads from saber blows. And what will you not tolerate for the sake of saving life! To this day, real military costumes have survived, as well as interesting descriptions and drawings of what a shako is, for example, a Dragoon regiment or a cadet school, what are their similarities and differences. Yes, induring the time of Nicholas I, this headdress most of all resembled a bucket upside down. And together with the Sultan, its height reached 73.5 cm. Can you imagine what it was like to wear such a design on yourself in the heat! Hats were also decorated with coats of arms of military units and other insignia. This was done with great panache and care. Conclusion: what is a shako? That's right, the pride of the hussar, the opportunity to show his "youthfulness", as they said before, that is, valiant daring. Even in Lermontov's poem "Borodino" there are lines: "Who sharpened the bayonet, grumbling angrily, who cleaned the shako, all battered, biting a long mustache …"

In the hat shop

Suppose you are interested in the question: how to make a shako with your own hands? It's not that easy, but it's not overly difficult either. The main thing is to select the necessary improvised materials and work accurately and accurately. What you may need: flexible cardboard, scraps of white and blue fabric, 2 meters of golden yellow plain braid and 60 cm of braid with tassels, the same color. Threads of a color suitable for the braid and material, 2 types of glue - "Moment" and PVA. Flexible wire - about 40-50 cm, artificial feathers (height - 30 cm). Naturally, a sewing machine and a glue gun. Plus a centimeter to measure the head.

Steps of making a shako

So, let's start making a hussar shako. We know the circumference of the head. On cardboard, draw the parts of the hat. Start with the crown (it should match the size of the head), then make the top and visor. Checkadditional centimeters for gluing and serif allowances so that the cardboard can be bent. Carefully cut out the blanks. Now attach them to the cuts of matter, circle with tailor's chalk or soap. You make the crown and top white, the double-sided visor will be blue. Include seam allowances in the pattern, mark them so as not to get confused. "Moment" connect the edges of the crown, then glue the bottom. Do not forget that the shape of the shako is slightly wider at the top than at the bottom, at the base, which wraps around the head. Cover the paper blanks with a cloth. For convenience, you can first stitch the parts, then pull the finished “cover” onto a cardboard frame. Or, wrap each part separately, using PVA to glue the edges. Then decorate the tulle with braid, the glue “gun” will help to fix it. At the end of the work, attach a bunch of feathers - a sultan. To give it the desired shape, take the wire. Here is your magnificent shako and ready! Long live the hussars!