M1915 Uhlan Czapka

[kapral]

All known to me M1915 czapka caps of the 1st Uhlan Regiment of the Polish Legions (Warsaw National Museum and Independence Museum, Łazienki, Sulejówek, Vienna, Kraków, Białystok, Ottawa, Radom) are made of the same cloth of the same grey color.
In the literature on the subject, it is stated that after the change of the color of the legionary uniform from grey-blue to "field-grey", i.e. feldgrau (1916-17), the Uhlan czapka caps were also made of this color. It would seem logical to adjust the colour of the cap to the colour of the uniform, but the illustrations of the Uhlan uniform in the 1917 uniform regulations show only the uniform and the maciejówka cap in feldgrau (practically green in the illustrations). The M1915 czapka cap was still allowed, but its color is not mentioned. There are also no illustrations of it in the regulations.
Is there any evidence (surviving caps) that would support the claim of a "field-gray" color of the czapka cap in 1917?
If such caps are not known, could we risk supposing that all M1915 czapkas up to and including 1917 were gray in color despite the change in the color of the uniform?

[MAP]

Can't help in answering the question but those are beautiful looking Tschapkas!

[kapral]

Thank you. Just a few examples...

[MAP]

Thank you. Just a few examples...

From your avatar photo, they do look a bit unstable to wear. Especially when charging on a horse! LoL

[kapral]

Yes. It took some time to learn how to wear them securely. Nevertheless, they were worn in field. By the way, the Legions' "Uhlans" or "lancers" were in fact dragoons i.e. mounted infantry, never had lances, only carbines and sabres. They served as scouts, far range reconnaissance or fought as infantry against infantry. As to charges: during WW1, The 1st Uhlan Regiment never charged against cavalry (as we know it was in the years 1918-1920), the 2nd Uhlan Regiment made just one famous cavalry charge at Rokitna (against Russian infantry in trenches).

[MAP]

My comment about the "charge" was a bit tongue in check and an attempt at a joke that seems to have failed! LoL But thanks for the additional information. Interesting they never had lances. Not sure why they weren't just called dragoons.

[kapral]

It is a matter of language. In Polish the word "ułan" became synonym to "kawalerzysta" / cavalryman. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were almost no regulations, as we did not have a regular army since 1831.