118 Chef de escardon Mamelukes Kiman, 1st Empire

Commander of the Mamelukes in 1810.

He is armed in the same style as his men. His white tunic and red jerkin are trimmed with gold lace as are his horse harness and schabraque. Harness and saddle are of the Arab style.

During Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign, the Mamelukes allied themselves to the French army. They returned to France with the army and Napoleon, as a reward for their faithfulness created a Mameluke squadron to form part of his Imperial Guard.

Their oriental costume of Syrian and Turkish Mameluke pattern was retained after passing into French service, and was distinguished by the head-dress surrounded by a turban, a sleeved chemise, an arab sash, charoual-style trousers, and the Mameluke sabre. They participated in campaigns of the Empire from 1805 to 1814 and distinguished themselves as Austerlitz, Elau and in Spain.