Original Item: Only One Available. Always considered one of the most romantic styles of British Cavalry Helmets, is this, the Czapka. The word itself is Polish / Belorussian, and basically means "cap". This style is perhaps best known to English speakers as a word for the 19th-century Polish cavalry headgear, consisting of a high, four-pointed cap with regimental insignia on the front (full name in Polish: czapka rogatywka, initially: konfederatka) to which feathers or rosettes were sometimes added.

At the end of the Napoleonic Wars the czapka continued to be worn by uhlans in Germany and Austria, as well as in France by Line-Regiment Lancers and later the Imperial Guard of Napoleon III. Lancer regiments in the British Army continued to wear czapkas (described as "lance caps") for full dress until 1939 and the modern Royal Lancers still retains this historic headdress for its Lancer Honour Guard. Along with the traditional double-breasted plastron-fronted lancer jacket, it is also still worn by the band of the Royal Yeomanry.

The helmet style was then adopted by various other European cavalry units, and even made its way to Great Britain, where it was used by the 12th Lancers, whose principal color was bright red. 

Raised by BRIGADIER GENERAL PHINEAS BOWLES in July 1715 to face the threat of the Jacobite Rebellion, the 12th Lancers has become one of the most famous Cavalry Regiments in the British Army. Even the Duke of Wellington served as a Subaltern (Lieutenant) in the 12th Lancers between 1789 and 1791.

The Regiment saw service in Egypt in 1801, the Peninsula War 1809-1813 followed by Waterloo in 1815. It served in the Crimean War in the 1850s, the Boer War of 1899-1901, WWI and WWII where they served in France in 1940, evacuated at Dunkirk, went to Egypt, fought at El Alamein against Field Marshall Rommel and chased the Germans all the way up Italy by the end of the conflict. They actually retired the horses and moved to Armored Cars in 1928.

This helmet, built of hard leather, features a huge brass Helmet plate showing the multiple Battle honors of the 12th Lancers. These honors can be used to date its issue to the 1880s. The following battle honours were displayed in 1881. WATERLOO, PENINSULA, SOUTH AFRICA 1851.2.3, SEVASTOPOL and CENTRAL INDIA. No more honours were shown before the reign of Edward VII when those for the South African war were added. This places the helmet's manufacture sometime between 1881 and 1901, although its construction suggests it is likely from the earlier part of that period.

The helmet retains its original brass interlocking ring chin scales, although the original leather backing is no longer present. As a result, the chin scales hang somewhat loosely and do not rest against the visor as intended, though this could likely be remedied. The original liner remains present and is in good condition. While not size marked, it measures approximately a modern size 7. The original plume and cockade are both retained, with the plume remaining in very good condition.

The sweatband is torn and tattered. The helmet is marked on the interior crown with 12L and 5196.

This is a beautiful example of one of Britain's most colorful and recognizable cavalry headdresses. Retaining its original plume, cockade, liner, battle honor helmet plate, and regimental markings, it is an excellent representative example of the Victorian-era lance cap worn by the famed 12th Lancers.