What is a shako: elements of a hussar costume

Hussars are brave warriors, the beauty and pride of the nineteenth-century Russian army, especially its first half. Hussar costume was very elegant, picturesque, produced a vivid impression. Therefore representatives of this kind of troops were known as smoothies and enjoyed a special arrangement of ladies.

Headdress

Fans of books and films on historical topics probably know what a shako is. This is a hat, an integral part of the hussar outfit. He was popular with Russian cavalry right up to the first world war. Then this type of cap was replaced with another, more convenient form. What is a shako: in fact, a tall cylinder with a visor. Its top is flat, and as decoration was used a sultan from a bundle of feathers or horsehair. It was in this form that it was worn by soldiers of many European states. With a large number of inconveniences, this cap still well defended the soldiers' heads from saber attacks. And why not just wait for the sake of saving life! Up to now, real military suits have survived , as well as interesting descriptions and drawings of what a shako is, for example, the Dragoon regiment or the cadet school, what are their similarities and differences. So, in the time of Nicholas I, this headdress most resembled a bucket bottom up. And together with the Sultan his height reached 73.5 cm. Can you imagine what it was like to wear such a construction in the heat? Hats were also decorated with coats of arms of military units, other insignia. This was done with considerable panache and carefully. Conclusion: what is a shako? Correctly, the object of pride of the hussar, the opportunity to show their "youth", as they said before, ie, the daring of the young. Even in Lermontov's poem "Borodino" there are lines: "Who bayonet whetted, grumbling angrily, who cleaned the shako, all beaten, biting a long mustache ..."

In the hat shop

Suppose you are interested in the question: how to make a shaver with your own hands? Not so simple, but not super complicated. The main thing is to pick up the necessary materials and work accurately and accurately. What you might need: flexible cardboard, pieces of white and blue fabric, 2 meters of golden-yellow tape simple and 60 cm of braid with brushes, the color is the same. Threads suitable for braid and material colors, 2 types of glue - "Moment" and PVA. Flexible wire - about 40-50 cm, artificial feathers (height - 30 cm). Naturally, the sewing machine and the glue "gun". Plus a centimeter to make a measurement of the head.

Stages of making a shako

So, let's start making a hussar's shako. The circumference of the head is known to us. On the cardboard draw the parts of the cap. Start with the crown (it should coincide with the size of the head), then make the top and the peak. Mark additional centimeters on the allowances for gluing and serifs so that you can bend the cardboard. Gently cut the workpiece. Now attach them to the cuts of matter, circle the tailor's chalk or soap. Tulle and top you make white, double-sided visor will be blue. In the pattern, include allowances for the seams, 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 than the bottom, at the base, which clasps the head. Tighten the paper blanks with a cloth. For convenience, you can first stitch the parts, then the ready "cover" to pull onto the cardboard frame. Alternatively, each piece can be tightened separately, using PVA for gluing the edges. Then adorn the braid with braid, fix it will help the glue "gun". At the end of the work, attach a bundle of feathers - the sultan. To make it the right shape, take the wire. Here's your gorgeous shako and ready! Long live the hussars!