M42 Helmet - Early Hessian Soldier Photo?

[Nacuaa]

M42 helmet apparently used into the 1860's by Hessen-Kassel as it looks like a Rampant Hessian Lion with Sword on the helmet. That is some massive gun he has. It seems short for a musket. He's also got a fascine sword? So maybe a pioneer?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/425027283590354185/

Imperial German Army Uniforms 1900-14

Uniform disctinctions of the different units of the Imperial German Army

www.imperialgermanuniforms.co.uk

 

[k bandow]

The musket strikes me as a Jägerbüchse. What an incredible photo!

 

[Nacuaa]

Whoahhh... well above 50 caliber! That's some serious firepower. I had never heard of the gun. Thank you!

"the Central European hunting rifle was a forerunner of the American longrifle. Some Hessian troops hired to fight for Great Britain in the American War of Independence were armed with Jägers. Generally, the Jägerbüchse was relatively short-barrelled, rifled, of heavy caliber — usually well above .50 caliber — and quite stout and robust."

What The Hell Is A Jägerbüchse? - Frontier Partisans

Eli was carrying a German-style heavy hunting rifle, percussion ignition.

frontierpartisans.com

Looking around on-line, I found a Jägerbüsche and a Hirschfänger or "hunting dagger" that looks like the combination of weapons this soldier has.

Hermann Historica - Internationales Auktionshaus für Antiken, Alte Waffen, Orden und Ehrenzeichen, Historische Sammlungsstücke

The soldier in the photo could be a jaeger but they seem to have worn shakos. However maybe they wore the helmet originally as Prussian jagers did in 1842 before adopting the shako later.

 

[HatEnjoyer]

I'd hate to be on the wrong end of that mini artillery piece!