Czapka
Czapka (/ˈtʃæpkə/, Polish pronunciation: [ˈt͡ʂapka]; also spelt chapka or schapska /ˈʃæpskə/)[1] is a Polish, Belarusian, and Russian generic word for a cap. However, it 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.
History
Origins
This headdress developed initially as a square-topped variant of a
After the Polish lancers proved their effectiveness during the Napoleonic Wars, armies across Europe quickly adopted the concept of the lancer regiments, complete with the czapka as their headdresses.
Nineteenth-century usage
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
With the end of the Second French Empire lancer regiments, and thus the czapka, disappeared from the French Army.
The German or Austro-Hungarian czapka ("shapka") consisted of a body of pressed blackened leather, known as the cap and only given a shield on the front. This ended halfway down the back of the head and only protected the front of the head. Instead of a peak, the front was centred on the front point of a four-cornered lid on a stem on top of the helmet. On the left front edge of this lid was attached the National or cockade. There was also a sleeve for the insertion of a brush plume. On the front of the body was a metal emblem (usually an eagle). In German parade examples, a Paraderabatte in the regimental colours was also worn on this type of helmet. In Austro-Hungary they were lined in the regimental colour. A leather chin strap on chains was attached, worn up on the front of the helmet when dismounted. In Austro-Hungary there was also the Kommode-Tschapka, a lighter and more convenient version for field service for officers, without the emblem on the front and with a Wachstuchschicht instead.
The Portuguese cavalry included lancer ("lanceiros") regiments until the overthrow of the Monarchy in 1910, and these retained the czapka in full dress.[3] Spanish lancers wore the "Polish style" headdress from 1833 until after 1868 when a nickel-plated helmet with spike was adopted.[4]
World War I
In 1914 czapkas were still worn in full dress by all Imperial German, Austro-Hungarian, British, Belgian, and Russian lancer (uhlan) regiments. They varied in detail but all had the characteristic four sided top, resembling the mortar-board of academic dress. Plumes were common on parade and in several of the armies named the different regiments were distinguished by the colour of the top or sides. Belgian, Austro-Hungarian, and German lancers wore their czapkas on active service during the opening weeks of the war, usually with dull coloured or waterproof covers. In the case of the Austro-Hungarian Uhlans, since there were not enough of these coverings, many czapka helmets were summarily painted grey. German and Austro-Hungarian uhlans wore the czapka during the First World War, though it ceased to be worn for field uniform after the adoption of the "Stahlhelm" steel helmet in 1916.
Polish usage to present day
During the twentieth century the czapka became one of the symbols of Polish national independence. After World War I, the new Polish Army adopted a four-pointed form as its standard issue national headdress in the form of a rogatywka. After 1952 this czapka style hat was replaced by a round peaked cap of Soviet style, apart from soft field caps, which retained rogatywka style.
In 1982 the rogatywka re-appeared as the headdress of the ceremonial honour guard protecting Belvedere Palace.
Officers of the modern Polish Army wear the four sided cap in certain orders of dress, although berets are the normal headdress.
See also
References
- ISBN 0-550-10105-5.
- ISBN 0-9508530-4-6
- ISBN 972-589-154-6
- ISBN 84-87314-73-2