Schneeberger Schützenmittwoch vor fünfizig Jahren

A lively portrait unfolds of a mid‑nineteenth‑century militia in a small mining town, where 700 men once marched in nine companies—some armed with rifles, others with kitchen forks, brooms and even shepherd’s sticks. The narrator, drawing on oral recollections from a veteran bookbinder, blends factual detail with the town’s own folklore, giving listeners a vivid snapshot of a community that kept its own ceremonial guard long after the official forces dissolved.

The description turns to the striking uniforms: over‑tight coats passed down from father to son, flamboyant “Schützenhüte” feathered in red and white, and the bear‑fur caps of the “Schanzer.” Colorful characters such as the tambour major in dazzling white breeches and the “Volontäre” in black cylinders add humor and humanity to the scene. Through witty anecdotes and rich visual detail, the book revives the festive spirit of those old “Schützenmittwoche” gatherings, inviting listeners to hear the clang of drums and the cheerful call of comrades echo through the historic streets.