Original Item. Only One Available. This is a gorgeous and scarcely seen 1917-Dated Officer’s Uhlan Tschapka with an original white plume, liner, and officer’s chinscales.

The Ulanen (Lancers) Tschapka (chapka) with its distinctive square top first appeared in 1808 when Preußen introduced Ulanen (Lancer) Regiments to emulate the Polish lancers as did many nations; especially after the Polish Lancer's performance at Waterloo in 1815. The M1843 Tschapka was a tall helmet with a squared top which was secured with gilt chinscales. The neck of the upper flat portion on the Tschapka (called a "mortar board" by English collectors) was permanently covered with a colored cloth Paraderabatte (parade rabatte). The Paraderabatten colors were specific to each Regiment but were trimmed in white for Mannschaften (Other Ranks) and silver bullion for officers. The Fangschnur (securing cord) were attached to the top of the Tschapka with a toggle for Mannschaften and a hook for officer and private purchase.

In 1867 Preußen Ulanen Regiments adopted a new Tschapka which was significantly reduced in height and volume. The new Tschapka had the eagle Wappen (front plate) moved from the neck of the top to the front of the shell. The new 1860 Wappen now carried the "MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND" (With God For King And Fatherland) Bandeau.

This example is in great condition with a nice original gilded brass Prussian Wappen. It retains original brass and leather chinscales / chinstrap. It has the correct tri-color metal Kokarde (cockade) around the right chin strap lug, and a white plume on the top. There is no black and white cockade on the left lug. For reference purposes: In 1897 the new Reichs-Kokarde in Red-White-Black was introduced for all ranks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kaiser Wilhelm 1st. 

The leather liner is in very good condition with all tongues retained. A maker’s stamp can be seen with a 1917 date on the liner. The mortarboard is cracking a bit which happens with age. The helmet is roughly a Size 7.

Overall a fantastic lancer's Uhlan Tschapka!

After the start of the Napoleonic Wars, uhlan formations were raised by the Duchy of Warsaw. Polish lancers serving with the French Army included the Vistula Legion and the Chevaux-légers lanciers de la Garde Impériale. The lancers of the Polish expeditionary corps, which fought alongside the French in Spain and Germany, spread the popularity of the Polish model of light cavalry. After the Battle of Somosierra, Napoleon said that one Polish cavalryman was worth 10 French soldiers. The chevaux-légers, French light cavalry units from the 16th century till 1815, were remodelled after the Uhlans. Following the Treaty of Tilsit in 1807 lancer regiments designated as Uhlans were reintroduced in the Prussian service.

During and after the Napoleonic Wars, cavalry regiments armed with lances were formed in many states throughout Europe, including the armies of Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Russia. While cavalry carrying this weapon were usually specifically designated as lancers or uhlans, in some instances the front rank troopers of hussar or dragoon regiments were also armed with lances.

In one notable action during the Waterloo Campaign as the French lancers advanced out of a defile — created by the bridge over the Dyle and village of Genappe — although they were stationary as they formed up, they lowered their lances to receive a charge by the sabre wielding British 7th Hussars who drove them back through Genappe and onto the bridge.

During the Battle of Albuera, the 1st Vistulan Lancers Regiment in French service virtually annihilated three of four of the British infantry regiments comprising Colborne's 1st Brigade. In 1816 the British army established its own lancer regiments; converting four regiments of light dragoons for the purpose and adopting items of Polish equipment and uniforms, including the square-topped Polish uhlan cap.

The traditions of the Polish uhlans were preserved during the Kingdom of Poland. They fought both in the November Uprising of 1830 and in the January Uprising of 1863.

Uhlans were deployed in the Franco-Prussian War by the Prussian Army in a variety of traditional light cavalry roles. During the siege of Paris, uhlans were tasked with shadowing passenger balloons launched from the city: their capacity for rapid movement made uhlans the only troops able to keep pace with the balloons, either to seize them on landing or at least report trajectory and destination.