No. 35 - Bethlen Hussars

Inhaber
1740 Beleznay, 1754 Emerich Frhr. v. Morocz, 1759 Joseph Adam Gr. Bethlen, 1775 Barco

Unit History
The unit was raised in 1741. During the Seven Years War, primarily engaged in a series of skirmishes at Prag, Zittau, Grünberg, Cosdorf, Oppeln and Peilau (am Fischerberge). The unit spent most of its service in Silesia. In 1760 was part of Loudon's corps at the battles of Landshut and Liegnitz.
The regiment was seen as a regular unit throughout its service. The uniform from 1748 consisted of a blue pelisse with red braiding and yellow buttons trimmed in black fur. The pants were red with a cream seat. The hat was a black winged militron. The uniform changed during the SYW to a light blue pelisse, dolman and pants with a kalpak with a red bag.

Comments
These Hussars are originally Dixon Prussian Hussars but I have converted them to Austrian. This is the last of the Dixon Hussars that I had to paint and while Dixon figures are nice, I like Front Rank better.
The uniform information is sketchy and based on the plate by Morier of a possible Bethlen hussar from 1748. Given that changes in uniform regulations took long to trickle to the troops I have taken the liberty to keep the unit in the older uniform and militron. The unit was painted in March 2006.

Sources
Text: Osprey’s The Austrian Army 1740-80 (1) Cavalry (Men-at-Arms 271)
Image: Knötel cards at http://www.grosser-generalstab.de
Austrian regimental information at http://www.kuk-wehrmacht.de/regiment/index.html