1828 Czapka Collar and Torso

From 1823 until 1828 the first style of lancer uniform worn in the 17th was distinguished in it's use of the plastron, a display of cloth of the facing colour on the front of the jacket that evolved from the days when jackets had wide lapels extending to the waist. This can be seen in the painting of Cornet Forbes. In 1828 this was done away with and the buttons arranged in two parallel rows 5" apart down the front. The same order also dispenses with the aiguillettes so this display may be incorrect. The distinctive white facings of the 17th are barely visible on the collar. The elaborate silver embroidery almost obliterates it, but does not go all the way round. There is a three inch gap showing white cloth at the back. The cuffs also show white, indentical to the cuff showing in the 1845 portrait. At this time, guantlets were not worn. The epaullettes are of silver lace, but the girdle round his waist (not visible here) is gold and crimson. The czapka is white cloth on the top half and black patent leather on the lower half, decorated with silver lace. Around the waist of the headgear the silver lace has a blue stripe down the middle. the chin-chain is silver on black leather attached to two lions- head bosses. At the back of the cap is a false upturned peak, the purpose of which is unclear. To the front is a silver sunray plate on which are fixed a gilt coat-of-arms and a silver motto. The peak is heavily decorated with silver wire. This czapka was worn with a tall drooping cock feather plume which in this case was black. Before 1828 the plume was predominantly white with red feathers underneath. As the plume is not there, we can clearly see a gold cockade near the top of the cap. The plume is fixed in just above this. The coiled gold cockade has the royal cypher in the middle which in this case is a reversed GR for George IV. Two years later it was a reversed WR for William IV, and the siver lace all changed for gold.

17th Lancers: Uniforms | Regimental details