Lancer Headdress

[mac mcconnell]

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

[navyfred]

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

[mac mcconnell]

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

[Neibelungen]

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.

[Roy]

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.

[GregN]

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