Polish Lancer of the
Imperial Guard

Napoleon often raised foreign regiments for his army from the countries he occupied. Among these regiments were the Polish Lancers and the Dutch Lancers of his bodyguard, the Imperial Guard.

The lancer was essentially a picadore who jousted his enemy with a long spear from horseback and when many lancers charged together, they became like a bristling porcupine.

A Polish Lancer is identified first by it's dark blue, crimson and silver color scheme. Even the privates' uniforms were lavished with silver tape trim. A white woolen epaulet on the right shoulder is balanced by decorative cords (aiguillettes) on the left, put there so they wouldn't get entangled with their lance.

This half size uniform features additional details such as a hand tooled copper czapska plate and fittings; the lancer distinction of rear sleeve piping laid on by hand in one piece from the cuff to the back of the jacket; and a Guard pattern swordbelt with deluxe raised edges.

The uniform and headgear is mounted on a satin finished wooden pedestal base and stands 29" tall.