COLONEL PONSARD'S POLICE CAP FROM THE 4th REGIMENT OF VOLTIGEURS OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD, 1860 "bellows" model, Second Empire, Franco-Prussian War 1870. 29258.

COLONEL PONSARD'S POLICE CAP OF THE 4th REGIMENT OF IMPERIAL GUARD VOLTIGEURS, 1860 "accordion model," Second Empire, Franco-German War 1870. 29258

The body of the cap is made of scarlet wool with jonquil piping placed on the vertical seams and middle of the front and back. These pipings merge on the right side to form a peak at the base of the cap.
Two elliptical side flaps, made of dark blue wool, bordered on their convex side with a double trimming of golden silver braiding in a "cul de dé" weave, a wider one on the outside (width 3 cm), and a narrower one outlining the wider (width 1 cm); these two pieces are sewn onto the cap.
On the front, in the curved angle formed by the notches in the flaps, is embroidered a grenade in gold threads, channels, and sequins (height 6.2 cm, width 2 cm). Fully leather-lined interior marked in black ink with a quill "Colonel of the 4th Voltigeur of the Guard Mr. Monorel, 7 9bre 1870."
Height of flaps 12 cm. Total height 14 cm.
At the top of the front peak, a golden braided tassel with large twisted fringe.

France.
Second Empire.
Fair condition, moth holes, fabric loss, and repairs.

PROVENANCE :
Collection Gabriel cimetière, vente du 18 mai 2003 à l'Hôtel des ventes d'Angers, Maître François Branger, n° 423 du catalogue page 128.

HISTORY:
The 4th Voltigeur Regiment was raised in December 1855 in Crimea. The first three battalions were reviewed in May 1856 near the walls of Sevastopol by Marshal Pélissier. Upon return to France, it received its eagle from the Emperor on May 6, 1857, during a review in honor of Grand Duke Constantin.
During the Italian campaign, the regiment saw little action at Magenta, intervening only in the final moments of the battle. This pattern continued during the Battle of Solferino.
In 1870, the regiment engaged at Rezonville and detached two battalions to protect the Guard's artillery pieces on the plateau between Rezonville and Gravelotte, later in the day at Bois des Ognons. It suffered 4 killed and 90 wounded.
The regiment was not involved at Saint-Privat but joined the besieged city of Metz. It was engaged on October 7th at Ladon champs, where it lost 6 officers and 130 voltigeurs before capitulating at Metz.