Lancer Headdress
 

My interest is Lance Cap Plates and the 1856 onwards mainly due to cost if you go the other way its very expensive not that post 1856 are not.
I am quiet new to this collectors world I had bits and bobs from when I served in the Lancers but have really collected the last two years.
My main source of reference is David Rowes Book on Head Dress of the British Lancers 1816 - To Present . Also trips to the Queens Royal Lancers Museum are a great help

I also collect the Czapkas as well it was a natural progression .

Last summer I was lucky enough to get my first Line Officers Czapka that is still being worked on but heres how it looks thus far.

Rgs Mac

Mac,

Absolutely superb. In my opinion Lance caps are the most attractive of all headdress. They also illustrate the point that the cap badges and helmet plates that we collect look best displayed in their native state i.e. on the headdress.

I realise that we cannot all afford such fine items but it is so nice to have the odd item of headdress in any badge collection.

All the best
fred

Agree
 

Hi Fred
As you say attractive Headdress indeed. Many consider it the finest of the Cavalry Headdress. The Czapka plates are nice but as you say to see them in their native setting is always better. Cost is a major issue as these do not stand the test of time well they must be well cared for.
Rgs Mac

These are probably some of the most complex bits of headgear to make and assemble and involve a considerable amount on hand work that you cant substitute to a machine process.

I had the great delight of making the last bandsmans examples, in conjunction with Firmins that are illustrated in Rowe's book. Although we simplified the construction down somewhat from the originals, for affordability, they were a big improvement in weight and flexibility from the previous fibreglass versions used by the band.
Officer's ones are even more complex because of the narrower waist compared to the O/R's.

Hi Mac,

A truly 'spectacular' piece you have there. Gosh the plate looks incredibly displayed on the headdress like that. Well done and keep up the good work.

Cheers, Roy.

Hi Mac, fantastic Czapka! I wish I could afford such wonderful helmets. I've attached a link to my father's 9th Lancers Czapka, worn during the Indian Mutiny as a reference for an OR's version of this exciting headdress.
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...p?albumid=1871

Greg

Wonderful work there Mac !

Did you ever do any pics of the rear of plate ? Would be a great help to those of us interested in these great old original items.

Mac, congrats on getting such a wonderful headdress item and sharing it with us, thanks.

great to see
 

Thanks for the feed back gents, Greg I remember your 9th as I used it as the bench mark when I sorted mine out.
Richard as we progress with this I will only be to pleased to add details but already the the man in the know has joined in Neibelungen he has a vast knowledge of the lance cap construction. The plates such as the 12th and the 9th have three parts to the plate while most of the others only have two. JB and Roy glad you like them hope others will share their Lancer headdress.

Rgs Mac

Nice Mac

Regards

Alan

Thanks Alan
 

Thanks Alan
You have given me some good pointers along the way forum help is a great font of Knowledge.

Rgs Mac

G'day Mac

As always another great Czapka, love the detail. Availability down under and cost keep me out of this market.

And g'day to Greg N and to Roy.

Regards

Phil.

Cost
 

Morning Phil

Have to agree cost is an issue I slum it at the bottom end I have to say I prefer to get a Czapka needing TLC and turn it around if I can. They don't come cheap I saw a 5th Irish go a week ago for around "2700.00 Euros then 25% commission postage to the uk would have seen another 100 with insurance...................I declined that one. There were other things missing braid in parts no tin or Plume,. Had it been the right price I would have gone for it as I have a 5th officers Plume.

Rgs Mac