Bearskin

In the 21st century, the bearskin cap is retained by select military units as a prominent element of their ceremonial and full dress uniforms.

[2][3] The headdress continued to see military service during the mid-19th century, with British foot guards and the Royal Scots Greys wearing bearskins in battle during the Crimean War.

Military units, like the Italian 1st Regiment "Granatieri di Sardegna", eventually discontinued the use of the headgear altogether during that century.

[6] Immediately before the outbreak of World War I in 1914, bearskins were still worn by several British, Belgian, Danish, German, Russian, and Swedish units as a part of their ceremonial/parade dress.

[3] In addition to military units, several civilian marching bands have also incorporated the bearskin cap as a part of their uniforms.

The Pipes and Drums Band of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment are authorised to wear a bearskin cap as a part of its ceremonial dress.

[15] The following is a list of regiments whose members are authorised to wear a bearskin cap with their full dress uniform, along with the colour used on the unit's plume: In addition to these units, the drum major of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada's pipe band are also authorised to wear the bearskin.

[21][22] The Royal Life Guards typically wear bearskin caps as a part of their uniform when performing public duties like at Amalienborg.

However, on exceptionally warm days, they will be authorised to wear an alternative headgear to mitigate discomfort and prevent overheating.

[23] The bearskin caps used by the Royal Life Guards are manufactured by Rützou saddlery at a workshop based in Taastrup.

[24] The 1st Regiment "Granatieri di Sardegna" of the Italian Army wears bearskin caps as a part of its ceremonial uniform.

During the 19th century, the cost and maintenance of the bearskin cap resulted in the headgear's limited use for only specific occasions, until the unit discontinued its use altogether.

[29] The unit readopted the 1829 bearskin cap design for use as a part of its ceremonial uniform during the inauguration of Juliana of the Netherlands in 1948.

[30] The ceremonial uniforms worn by one company from the 1st King's Immemorial Infantry Regiment includes a bearskin cap.

[citation needed] The military band of the Sri Lanka Artillery wear a black bearskin cap as a part of its ceremonial uniform.

[31] The parade uniforms used by the grenadier component of the Swedish Army's Life Guards, known as model 1886, includes a bearskin cap.

[32] The bearskin cap includes a front plate that depicts the coat of arms of Sweden and a white feather plume.

The article stated that, at that time, bearskin hats cost £7–5s each (about 35 contemporary US dollars;[43] £600 in 2007 pounds)[44] and noted "it can readily be seen what a price has to be paid for keeping up a custom which is rather old, it is true, but is practically a useless one save for the purpose of military display.

[16] New data obtained through a records request submitted by PETA reveals that the cost of bearskins worn by the King's Guard has increased from £1,560 each in 2022 to £2,040 in 2023.

In 1997, the British Minister for Defence Procurement Lord Gilbert said that he wanted to see bearskins phased out as soon as possible due to ethical concerns.

[58] Similar sentiments were made in March 2005 by British Labour MP Chris Mullin, who called for an immediate ban on bearskins stating that they "have no military significance and involve unnecessary cruelty.

[16] PETA's claims that the raw materials used to make the headgear is sourced from hunting bears with bait in Canada.

[15][1][63] In addition to hussars, the busby also forms a part of the ceremonial uniforms for British and Canadian artillery units and select rifle regiments.

[66] Several units in the King's Guard of the Royal Thai Armed Forces wear pith helmets with heavy plumes that broadly resemble a bearskin cap as a part of their ceremonial full dress uniform.

In addition, the Royal Security Command's two guards regiments wear pith helmets with black plumes as their full dress headdress.