ULANKA TO PARADE WITH OFFICER RABAT AND DRESS BELT FOR THE 14TH UHLAN-REGIMENT – WACHMEISTER – PRUSSIA/HANNOVER

This is a truly exceptional and exceedingly rare Wachmeister’s Ulanka from the Prussian 14th Uhlan-Regiment, historically known as the 2. Hannoversches Ulanen-Regiment Nr. 14. Founded in 1805 and garrisoned at St. Avold-Mörchingen, the regiment was attached to the Prussian 14th Armee-Korps. It carries immense historical weight, having roots in Hannover’s cavalry traditions and a distinguished legacy in the Napoleonic and Franco-Prussian Wars.

Item Features and Construction:

• Construction: Crafted to the highest officer standards, this Ulanka features a rich dark blue wool body with crimson-red facing panels, piping, collar, and cuffs. The quality of materials, including black silk lining and fine tailoring, signals that this was produced for a senior non-commissioned officer who was highly respected within the regiment.

• Piping and Trim: Red wool piping outlines the Ulanka’s contours, complemented by silver bullion lace trim on the collar and cuffs.

• Buttons: All front buttons are gilt, including the unique single gilt button above the bullion lace on each cuff and collar. These distinctions are typical of the senior NCO rank of Wachmeister, the highest possible enlisted rank in a cavalry regiment.

• Vent Flap: Rear skirt features a vent flap with five silver buttons, matching the frontal arrangement.

• Rabat: The scarlet red dress rabat is included, in excellent condition, and fits securely into the Ulanka’s front interior via a classic hook-and-eye system. This piece alone is rarely found, let alone intact and matched.

• Interior: The lining is rich black silk, with evidence of light wear and minor nips that do not detract from the visual or display value. These are consistent with museum-held items of similar vintage and use.

Rank and Unit Identification:

• Rank: Wachmeister was the senior-most NCO in a cavalry regiment, and this Ulanka was worn by the only Wachmeister of the 14th Uhlan-Regiment at the time.

• Epaulettes: Each epaulette features a gilt crescent with the number “14” centrally placed in red felt, matching the regiment. The twin gilt scales and attachment cord confirm senior NCO status. The epaulettes are attached by cloth backing and are not modern replacements.

• Right Sleeve Patches: Twin lance proficiency stripes and a colorful signalman’s badge indicate the Wachmeister had attained his position through distinguished field performance.

Accessories:

• Parade Dress Belt: An equally rare red and blue striped silk parade belt with original leather adjuster is included. The condition of the belt is excellent and unaltered, with fine stitching and metal fittings intact.

Historical Significance:

This tunic is a rare surviving example from a regiment that not only fought at Waterloo, Peninsula, and Garza-Hernandez, but also was active in the Austro-Prussian War and Franco-Prussian War. The unit's proud traditions were preserved even after Prussia absorbed Hanover’s regiments post-1866.

The Wachmeister rank was held by only one man per regiment, making this Ulanka more rare than most officer examples. It was consigned to us from a collector recognized as both an author and historian of Imperial German militaria, and who has been curating museum-grade items since the 1960s.

Condition:
Excellent overall with minimal wear consistent with age. All components, including dress rabat and officer-quality dress belt, are original and intact. A few small moth nips on the back lining, and very faint wear under arms, noted strictly for completeness.

Collector's Note:
This Ulanka stands among the finest NCO examples we’ve ever offered. The combination of full accessories, elite provenance, and regimental distinction makes it a museum-worthy acquisition for any advanced collector of Imperial German uniforms.