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Because they kicked Napoleon’s ass and stole the Frenchies hat style.
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Plenty of militaries have the bearskin (ask DK Prof for a pic of his), it's not a British thing.
As to why, there are long standing traditions that certain units get the biggest, most impressive looking soldiers sent their way. Big hat makes big soldier look even bigger and expensive bearskins mark your status as an elite unit Royal Scots Bass Drummers wear a polar bearskin for extra style points. |
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View Quote this just crossed over to become a Clown Shoes Thread... Bigger_Hammer |
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The same reason the Winged Hussars wore wings - to scare the shit out of the enemy.
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Quoted: From a vid I watched about the coronation ceremony of...well...you know. What's up with these ginormous fur covered helmets anyway? Like, what's the deal? Was there some war, two or three hundred years ago, in which the British Army found it somehow advantageous to wear helmets that were, like, 8 feet tall? I mean, really? I don't get it. Discuss the shit. because its irish royal guard tradition. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/49274/BigHelmets2-2521816.jpg View Quote |
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They made the soldiers taller and more menacing to the enemy.
In the flintlock days, the soldiers had a tendency to fire high. The bearskins could make the enemy miss more. If attacked by cavalry, the bearskin would absorb the force of a swung sword and protect the head. A retired Coldstreamer once told me they were still made from bears from Canada. |
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I'm more curious about the height differences in the picture. Don't they keep them limited to certain heights to keep them looking as uniform as possible in formations? Not all units understandably, but this one is more or less for ceremonial duties.
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Quoted: Having served in a unit with bear skin hats, those are the two prevailing theories/stories that I have heard. Bear skin hats were part of my regiment's combat uniform in the 1800s. (Denmark, not Britain),and the uniforms worn at the Royal palaces today are essentially those uniforms. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/1715/42217.JPG View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Taller making them look more menacing, and the hats were made of bearskin. Horses don't like the smell, which makes it effective against cavalry, or at least that's the story I've read. Having served in a unit with bear skin hats, those are the two prevailing theories/stories that I have heard. Bear skin hats were part of my regiment's combat uniform in the 1800s. (Denmark, not Britain),and the uniforms worn at the Royal palaces today are essentially those uniforms. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/1715/42217.JPG Didn’t you try persuading the regiment to switch to polar bear? That would have been awesome! |
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Quoted: Didn’t you try persuading the regiment to switch to polar bear? That would have been awesome! View Quote You have a good memory. Yes, a good friend of .mine and myself tried too convince the regiment (when we were both junior officers) that we should use polar bear pelts, and have white hats. For one thing, it would make us distinct and unique compared to our British sisters regiments. If we reallywanted tk keeo the black look, it would be possible to use polar bekt pelts and have the fur dyed black. In the 80s it was getting increasingly difficult to get black bear pelts, and I remember the sergeant in charge of the uniforms lamenting that they had a serious shortage. Apparently they needed about 100-200 pelts, and they had received 12! The difficulty in getting pelts was another reason we suggested that the regiment should use polar bear - since Denmark owns Greenland, there are TONS of polar bears around. |
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Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/18486/4F1551C7-E7DB-4FA5-B7DD-16E92C54CCB6-2522143.jpg May I present, the Drum Major for the United States Marine Corps band. View Quote I knew I've seen one or two US uniforms like that. Thanks for posting! |
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Quoted: You have a citation for that? Denmark experimented with synthetic as early as the late 50s, but concluded it wouldn't work. Currently the black bears used for the skin are sourced from Poland. I believe Britain tried some synthetics in the 2000s, but my understanding was that it similarly went nowhere, and actual bear skin is still used. I believe the British army gets their raw bear skins from Canada. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Synthetic now but those used to be real bear fur. You have a citation for that? Denmark experimented with synthetic as early as the late 50s, but concluded it wouldn't work. Currently the black bears used for the skin are sourced from Poland. I believe Britain tried some synthetics in the 2000s, but my understanding was that it similarly went nowhere, and actual bear skin is still used. I believe the British army gets their raw bear skins from Canada. That is my understanding. Black bears for enlisted, grizzly dyed black for officers. |
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Quoted: If by "3rd World morons" you mean the French, then yes. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: It makes them tall and scary to 3rd world morons being colonized? If by "3rd World morons" you mean the French, then yes. Bearskin hats were actually granted to the Grenadier Guards after the battle of Waterloo, so we were able to defeat the French without them. Other guards regiments got them a couple of decades later. |
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Quoted: You have a good memory. Yes, a good friend of .mine and myself tried too convince the regiment (when we were both junior officers) that we should use polar bear pelts, and have white hats. For one thing, it would make us distinct and unique compared to our British sisters regiments. If we reallywanted tk keeo the black look, it would be possible to use polar bekt pelts and have the fur dyed black. In the 80s it was getting increasingly difficult to get black bear pelts, and I remember the sergeant in charge of the uniforms lamenting that they had a serious shortage. Apparently they needed about 100-200 pelts, and they had received 12! The difficulty in getting pelts was another reason we suggested that the regiment should use polar bear - since Denmark owns Greenland, there are TONS of polar bears around. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Didn’t you try persuading the regiment to switch to polar bear? That would have been awesome! You have a good memory. Yes, a good friend of .mine and myself tried too convince the regiment (when we were both junior officers) that we should use polar bear pelts, and have white hats. For one thing, it would make us distinct and unique compared to our British sisters regiments. If we reallywanted tk keeo the black look, it would be possible to use polar bekt pelts and have the fur dyed black. In the 80s it was getting increasingly difficult to get black bear pelts, and I remember the sergeant in charge of the uniforms lamenting that they had a serious shortage. Apparently they needed about 100-200 pelts, and they had received 12! The difficulty in getting pelts was another reason we suggested that the regiment should use polar bear - since Denmark owns Greenland, there are TONS of polar bears around. That would be awesome! |
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Quoted: I'm more curious about the height differences in the picture. Don't they keep them limited to certain heights to keep them looking as uniform as possible in formations? Not all units understandably, but this one is more or less for ceremonial duties. View Quote Normally: "If you are taller than the man in front of you, move up" pause for shuffling "Right Face" "If you are taller than the man in front of you, move up" pause for shuffling "Left Face" Seemed silly to me. Looked good, but the peewees in back could not see shit. |
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Why Does The British Army Have Giant Fur Helmets?
Because small to medium sized fur hats would look silly. |
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I respect the Brits for their tradition but every time I see them do that single exaggerated boot stomp when they stand post I have to laugh.
Marching up and down the square is important to them. |
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Quoted: Normally: "If you are taller than the man in front of you, move up" pause for shuffling "Right Face" "If you are taller than the man in front of you, move up" pause for shuffling "Left Face" Seemed silly to me. The peewees in back could not see shit. View Quote Thusly, the signifier, mace, spontoon, regimental standards, eagles, and guidon made their appearance. |
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They were prior to back packs, as in storage. Ever seen how much an African woman can carry on her head? Same idea. Hands free and they could carry a change of uniform, spare boots, a tent, sleeping bag and a weeks worth of food and water in those. These hats sparked the bee hive hairdo in the early 60's BTW.
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Pakistan India border ceremonial shenanigans and impressive headdress.
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I thought it was to draw attention away from their dental issues......
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Quoted: Pakistan India border ceremonial shenanigans and impressive headdress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIOVinMvVDg View Quote The Hilton Hotel Bahn Chode unit arguing with the Pakistan Car Warranty Darren's? |
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Quoted: Boy OP, have I got something for you to ponder. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/69748/Screenshot_20220910-224821_png-2521837.JPG View Quote Pole handlers? "Oh my!" /Zulu |
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Quoted: Boy OP, have I got something for you to ponder. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/69748/Screenshot_20220910-224821_png-2521837.JPG View Quote When your whole battalion is dressed up like clowns your opponent does not see you as a threat. This puts them at ease, which translates into a surprise when you finally attack, giving you the upper hand. Brilliant tactics! |
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Quoted: Not all UK military dress like that though. Here's my brother (60 years old with 43 years service) in his dress uniform raising the flag to half staff a couple of mornings ago. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/105044/sunrise-2519800.jpg View Quote 43 years is a long time. What does he do? |
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Quoted: You have a citation for that? Denmark experimented with synthetic as early as the late 50s, but concluded it wouldn't work. Currently the black bears used for the skin are sourced from Poland. I believe Britain tried some synthetics in the 2000s, but my understanding was that it similarly went nowhere, and actual bear skin is still used. I believe the British army gets their raw bear skins from Canada. View Quote Not to be overly pedantic, but all the bears in Europe are brown bears, and the brown bear range just barely (lol) enters Poland. You sure they aren’t imported from Russia or Canada or the US? |
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Quoted: You have a citation for that? Denmark experimented with synthetic as early as the late 50s, but concluded it wouldn't work. Currently the black bears used for the skin are sourced from Poland. I believe Britain tried some synthetics in the 2000s, but my understanding was that it similarly went nowhere, and actual bear skin is still used. I believe the British army gets their raw bear skins from Canada. View Quote My understanding is they're still bear skin and usually handed down. |
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