Rare 2nd Light Horse Lancers of Napoleon’s
Imperial Guard Other Ranks Czapka
Pictured here is a rare 2nd Light Horse Lancers
of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard other ranks czapka. Known as the Dutch Red Lancers,
the 2nd Light Horse Lancers was formed in 1810 after Napoleon
annexed Holland
and was the former hussars of the Dutch Royal Guard. This elite unit was essentially Napoleon’s
personal guard and tactical reserve. Although
suffering from huge losses, the Red Lancers managed to survive the ill-fated
1812 invasion of Russia. The Red Lancers
would again clash with the Russians in 1813 and 1814 and it was the Red Lancers
who escorted Napoleon from the battlefield after his army was defeated at Waterloo. The Red Lancers wore handsome uniforms of
scarlet red
with blue collars, lapels, turnbacks and cuffs. Seen here this czapka matchers perfectly with
scarlet red uniform of the 2nd Light Horse Lancers. The czapka—with its painted cockade on the left side and gilt rayed plate with the crown over “N” insignia—makes a bold fashion statement worthy of a Napoleon Imperial Guard Lancer.
