#72 • Brunswick Waterloo Medal - Brunswick Light Infantry

Part of British & World Medals (live auction by Bannerman Auctions)

High bid $550.00

Status: Sold

Brunswick Waterloo Medal - Brunswick Light Infantry. Brunswick (German) Waterloo medal. Naming is officially impressed "CARL. OEHLMANN. 2. IAEG. BAT.". Medal exhibits polishing wear, some light edge knocks and some surface scratches and exhibits even toning. Medal presents proper ribbon and is accompanied by addition piece of newer ribbon. The medal was awarded to troops and officers from Brunswick who participated in the Battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo. The 2nd Jaeger Battalion of the Brunswick Corps fought at the Battle of Waterloo and had expelled French troops from a wood near Quatre Bras two days before the battle of Waterloo. During these two engagements the battalion suffered heavy casualties. Estimate: $600 - $800 Historical Background: The Brunswick Waterloo Medal was a campaign medal established by the Duchy of Brunswick for its officers and soldiers who participated in the Waterloo Campaign, specifically the Battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo, between June 15 and July 7, 1815. It was officially established on June 11, 1818, authorized by the Prince Regent. The medal was presented by the Duchy of Brunswick to acknowledge the service of its warriors. The medal itself is round, measuring 1 7⁄20 inches (34 mm) in diameter. Medals for enlisted troops were made of bronze from captured French cannons, while those for officers were gilded. The obverse side features a left-facing profile of the fallen Duke of Brunswick, Frederick William. Around the outside of the wreath, the inscription "Braunschweig Seinen Kriegern" (Brunswick to her Warriors) is displayed above, and "Quatrebras und Waterloo" is below. The medal is suspended from a steel clip and ring attached to a ribbon that is yellow with blue edge stripes. The Brunswick Light Infantry refers to various military units raised by the Duchy of Brunswick. One notable example is the *Leichtes Infanterie-Brigade* or Light Infantry Battalion from the Napoleonic Wars, specifically around 1815. These troops were known for their distinctive black uniforms, which included a black felt shako with a black horsetail plume and an emblem that changed from a skull and crossed bones to a white hunting horn in 1815. Their coats featured black collars and cuffs with battalion facing color braids. During the American Revolutionary War, another light infantry battalion, known as the Light Infantry Battalion von Barner, served as part of the auxiliary Brunswick forces sent to support the British. This battalion was commanded by Major Ferdinand Albrecht von Barner. The Brunswick light infantry units throughout history were generally trained for skirmishing and rapid movement, sometimes following Prussian light infantry regulations, and were often equipped with a mix of different arms, such as English muskets and modified French weapons.