History of the Imperial Guard
Uniform of Drum-Major

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boots of the "black cymbal player" (mameluk)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Dijon - First Show (1986)

(Photo© Labo. Photo - Ville de Dijon - 1986)

These toy soldiers are alive, and ther play real music.
They are unique in the world.

Admittedly, there are few military bands around in Empire uniform.
But none of these wear the exact replica, to the slightest detail, of the uniform worn by the "Head of the Column of the 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard".

Everything has been reconstructed, identical to the originals: the buttons, for example, were melted down and remade with moulds from the French Army Museum (Paris - France). The metal plates on the bearskin hats come from Waterloo.

Button (uniform of musician)

The coppers, other metals, as well as the clothes are replica of those worn by the soldiers marching to victory at the head of the Great Army in Madrid Postdam, Dresden, Moscow, and il all Europe.

The most confirmed specialists in military history, and tailors speccalised in the reproduction of historical uniformes assure the authenticity of these soldiers clothing.

The shinning gold trim of the drum major's suit seems to represents
the "Sun of Austerlitz" itself.

Shoulder pad (Drum Major)

The musicians, directed by a rnowned conductor, have found all the authentic scores for the Consular and Imperial marches; for example: the "Consular March of Marengo", or the "March of the Grenadiers of the Old Guard".

The presence of this marching band at great public events is always impressive and prestigious.

Mr Robert POUJADE
Deputy
and Mayor of Dijon (1971 - 2001)
mameluk's uniform (front)

Mameluk's Uniform
(Front)
Musician's uniform (back)

Musician's uniform
(Back)

 

The Imperial Guard in a few figures...

From august 1986 to july 2000 :

  • 337 days on trip,

  • 82,000 km by bus,

  • 877 km of parade,

  • audience: 935.000 people (non included TV shows),

  • 3 national TV shows,

 

 

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