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Uniforms and Equipment of the Old Army - Cavalry - Uhlans - The Tschapka

Uhlans in parade uniform from the Uhlan Regiment Grand Duke Friedrich of Baden (Rhine) No. 7 (Saarbrücken). Contemporary photo card. Posted on 12.06.1013. In the regiment shown the facing stripe and the forepart as well as the cap rim were ponceau red. This color was also shown on the sleeve cuffs and foreparts of the Ulanka and the edging of the sash, as well as the swallow's nests of the trumpeters.
Uhlans in parade uniform from the Uhlan Regiment Grand Duke Friedrich of Baden (Rhine) No. 7 (Saarbrücken). Contemporary photo card. Posted on 12.06.1013. In the regiment shown the facing stripe and the forepart as well as the cap rim were ponceau red. This color was also shown on the sleeve cuffs and foreparts of the Ulanka and the edging of the sash, as well as the swallow's nests of the trumpeters.

The Uhlans wore the typical Tschapka, black lacquered and based on Polish models.

A white linen chin cord was worn with every service. The latter consisted of sliders, a mirror and tassels and was white and black for non-commissioned officers. The Wachtmeisters of the guard formations were allowed to wear a silk chin cord (from 1878, last model of 30.10.1902).

It was fastened to a wooden toggle or a hook on the top of the Tschapka.

Uhlan from the Uhlan Regiment Hennings von Treffenfeld (Altmark) No. 16 (Salzwedel / Gardelegen). Photographer: Rudolf Oberst/ Salzwedel. Circa 1900.
Uhlan from the Uhlan Regiment Hennings von Treffenfeld (Altmark) No. 16 (Salzwedel / Gardelegen). Photographer: Rudolf Oberst/ Salzwedel. Circa 1900.

The Tschapka had curved scale chains.

Highly decorated officer from the Lithuanian Uhlan Regiment No. 12 (Insterburg). Original CDV. Photographer: Atelier Geldhand/ Insterburg.
Highly decorated officer from the Lithuanian Uhlan Regiment No. 12 (Insterburg). Original CDV. Photographer: Atelier Geldhand/ Insterburg.

A hanging plume was worn for parade. It was white; for non-commissioned officers black and white; and for the trumpeters red.

One-year volunteer as a Prussian Uhlan. Original CDV. Photographer: Van Bosch/ Frankfurt a. M. Dated on the back: 1896/97.
One-year volunteer as a Prussian Uhlan. Original CDV. Photographer: Van Bosch/ Frankfurt a. M. Dated on the back: 1896/97.

For parade uniform the Tschapka was also fitted with a braid in the badge color.

Prussian Guard Uhlan in parade uniform. Original CDV before 1914. Photographer: Max Schreiber/ Potsdam.
Prussian Guard Uhlan in parade uniform. Original CDV before 1914. Photographer: Max Schreiber/ Potsdam.

The fittings of the Tschapka varied. They always matched the button color of the Ulanka.

The line regiments, however, generally wore the reduced line eagle.

The Prussian Guard Uhlan regiments (1st, 2nd and 3rd) bore the Guard eagle.

The Uhlan Regiment Grand Duke Friedrich of Baden (Rhine) No. 7 (Saarbrücken-St. Johann) received the silver grenadier eagle on 16.06.1913.

The Hanoverian Uhlan regiments Nos. 14 and 14 bore on the Guard eagle a helmet band with the inscription: PENINSULA WATERLOO GARZIA-HERNANDEZ.

The helmet band had been awarded to the aforementioned formations by Emperor Wilhelm II on 24.01.1899.

The reserve officers did not wear a patriotic band, but rather a mounted cross. The award ribbons, however, remained.

Hanoverian Uhlan in Ulanka with Tschapka. Original portrait photograph (KAB) before 1914. Photographer Fitz Kayser/ Hanover.
Hanoverian Uhlan in Ulanka with Tschapka. Original portrait photograph (KAB) before 1914. Photographer Fitz Kayser/ Hanover.

The Saxon, Württemberg and Bavarian Uhlan regiments carried the ornamentation on the Tschapka typical for their contingents.

Saxon Uhlan in parade uniform from the 3rd Uhlan Regiment No. 21
Saxon Uhlan in parade uniform from the 3rd Uhlan Regiment No. 21 "Kaiser Wilhelm II., King of Prussia" (Chemnitz). Original CDV: Photographer: Ludiwg Stelkowsky/ Chemnitz.
Bavarian Uhlan in parade uniform from the 1st Uhlan Regiment Kaiser Wilhelm II., King of Prussia (Bamberg). Original CDV. Photographer: J. K. Röhrer/ Bamberg. Circa 1900.
Bavarian Uhlan in parade uniform from the 1st Uhlan Regiment Kaiser Wilhelm II., King of Prussia (Bamberg). Original CDV. Photographer: J. K. Röhrer/ Bamberg. Circa 1900.
Prussian Uhlan as a one-year volunteer. CDV. Dated on the back: 1908. The tilted fit of the Tschapka is clearly visible.
Prussian Uhlan as a one-year volunteer. CDV. Dated on the back: 1908. The tilted fit of the Tschapka is clearly visible.

There used to be an oilcloth cover to protect the headgear against the weather.

The maneuver caps were white from 1884.

Prussian Uhlan non-commissioned officers on the Elsenborn training ground. Photographer: A. Herld/ same place. The maneuver caps as well as the lance pennants for non-commissioned officers are clearly visible.
Prussian Uhlan non-commissioned officers on the Elsenborn training ground. Photographer: A. Herld/ same place. The maneuver caps as well as the lance pennants for non-commissioned officers are clearly visible.

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