Adjutant, Lieutenant of the 1st (Polish) Regiment of Lancers of the Imperial Guard, 1809
With the onset of Napoleon's conquests, a large number of Polish regiments were incorporated into the French army. The Polish cavalry proved paticularly capable and brave. By Napoleon's decree of April 6, 1807, the 1st (Polish) Regiment of Lancers of the Imperial Guard was formed from Polish volunteers. The regiment consisted of four squadrons and was assigned to the Imperial Guard.
The regiment took an active part in the Peninsular War. On November 30, 1808, the 3rd Squadron's selfless attack on Spanish batteries brought victory at the Battle of Somo Sierra and opened the way for the French to Madrid. Napoleon was impressed by the Poles' heroism and in 1809 incorporated the regiment into the Old Guard as the 1st (Polish) Regiment of Uhlans.
The officer wears a blue uniform with a crimson distinguishing color. The color of the uniform gave the regiment its second name—the "Blue" Uhlans. The officer's headdress is a shako (also known as an uhlanka or confederate) with a rectangular top stitched with silver braid along the edges. The plume is blue with a red top. The etichket is silver. The shako is adorned with a brass forehead plaque in the shape of a sun, with the letter N surmounted by a crown in the center.
The uniform jacket is a Polish-style jacket made of blue cloth. The collar, lapels, piping, and turn-ups are crimson. The epaulette and aiguillette are silver. An officer's sash trimmed with silver braid and a cartridge pouch (covered in black leather) with a brass eagle on the lid. On the left sleeve of the uniform is a red armband (the insignia of an adjutant), stitched along the edge with gold braid. White gloves. Blue dress trousers with two crimson stripes.
A Guards Horse Jaeger-pattern sabre. A white leather belt buckle with a brass eagle buckle. The belt buckle is fitted with slings for securing the brass scabbard.
Scale: 1/32 (54 mm)
Materials: tin alloy, acrylic and tempera paints
Text updated June 14, 2023
