Description
BAVARIA – ULANKA – PARADE – LEUTNANT – ULANEN/CHEVAULEGERS REGIMENT. This is a consignment item.
It is an exceptional ulanka that would be correct for any of the Bavarian Regiments listed below.
- Ulanen-Regiment Kaiser Wilhelm II.
- Chevaulegers-Regiment Kaiser Nicholas von Rußland.
- Chevaulegers-Regiment Herzog Karl Theodor.
- Chevaulegers-Regiment Erzherzog Friedrich von Österreich.
- Chevaulegers-Regiment Prinz Alfons.
These two Bavarian Kavallerie types (Chevaulegers and Ulanen) were considered light cavalry. [They were designated Lancers in the Imperial British Army, due to the lances that they originally carried]. Both types sported ulankas, as did Prussia’s, Saxony’s, and Württemberg’s Ulanen Regiments. The ulanka was far different from all other Imperial German Army tunics. Its front was decorated with a double row of buttons that formed a “V” shape. This not only slimmed its wearer’s torso, but made his shoulders appear broader and his overall appearance more muscular.
The ulankas worn by the Prussians, Saxons and Württembergians were dunkel-blau (dark-blue) in color up until the wartime conversion to feldgrau tunics. The Bavarian Army’s Ulanen, however, sported very dark-green ulankas. [PLEASE NOTE: it is such a dark green that it appears black in the accompanying photographs]. For this particular tunic, its contrasting trim and lapel lining is crimson-red. The prerequisite double row of fourteen (seven per side) gold-toned buttons decorate the front. A single button appears on each cuff. A further six (three per side) appear on the rear vent flaps. Crimson trim runs down from the reverse’s shoulder area to highlight the vent. A smaller gold button secures each epaulette to the ulanka’s shoulders.
The collar, cuffs, and trim are all crimson, serving as accents against the tunic’s dark-green background. Since our ulanka is set-up in parade configuration, its shoulders are mounted with epaulettes rather than everyday/garrison-use shoulder boards. The crimson epaulettes sport gold metal crescent moons and gold trim. NO regimental designation is indicated, as is correct.
The ulanka’s interior reveals a beautiful, black, silk liner. The tunic’s overall condition is beyond excellent. You will be hard-pressed to find a better officer’s parade tunic, and upgrading will never be a concern.
