Colonel of the 1st (Polish) Regiment of Chevaulégers-Lancers of the Imperial Guard in full dress uniform, 1812
With the onset of Napoleon's conquests, a large number of Polish regiments were incorporated into the French army. The Polish cavalry proved particularly skillful and brave. On March 2, 1807, by decree of the Emperor, the 1st (Polish) Guard Regiment of Chevaulégers-Lancers was formed. The regiment took an active part in the Peninsular War. On November 30, 1808, the selfless attack of the 3rd Squadron on Spanish batteries brought victory at the Battle of Somo-Sierra and opened the way for the French to Madrid. Napoleon was delighted with the Poles' heroism and in 1809 incorporated the regiment into the Old Guard as the 1st (Polish) Regiment of Chevaulégers-Lancers.
The uniform of the Polish Guards Lancers officers was considered one of the most original and incorporated a number of elements of Polish military dress (shako, jacket, horse harness, etc.). The typical short tunic-jacket of the Uhlans, made for colonels from expensive white cloth, featured a collar, lapels, piping, and turn-up tails of a distinctive crimson color. The lapels and cuffs were trimmed with silver braid. The collar was decorated with silver braid along the edge and with silver thread embroidery in the center. The officers' epaulettes and aiguillette were also made of silver thread. The officer's scarf was made of red and silver thread. The headdress, the shako (or "konfederatka"), had a crimson rectangular top trimmed with silver braid. The front of the shako was decorated with a brass forehead plaque in the shape of a half-sun with a crowned "N" in the center. A white plume was attached to the left side of the shako. The etiquette and tassels were also silver. Crimson dress trousers (pantaloons) with stripes of double silver braid were worn. Short black boots.
The officer's uniform was modeled on that of the light cavalry. The cartridge case lid was decorated with a brass eagle surrounded by rays of the sun. The sword belt and baldric were made of bleached leather. The weapons included a pistol and a sabre—a Guards Horse Chasseurs' Sword of the IX century with a silver lanyard. The officer's blue saddle cloth was edged with crimson braid and silver braid. The saddle pad was also decorated with a crowned N on the rounded front corner and a crowned eagle on the pointed back corner.
Scale: 1/32 (54 mm)
Materials: tin alloy, steel, acrylic and tempera paints
Text updated 02/14/2026
