Ulanen 15 Parade Ulanka - my first uniform

[PaulChep]

I have recently decided to focus more on Imperial German uniforms and documents. I just purchased my first Imperial German Uniform. It is a Parade Ulanka for the Schleswig-Holsteinishes Ulanen Regt. Nr. 15 based in Saarburg. The Ulanka is for a private and come complete with the paraderabatten, which is the yellow piece of cloth that covers the front. This was buttoned on to the tunic for formal occations and parades. I will give the details along with the pictures, so enjoy the show

[PaulChep]

Cuffs

The cuffs are the standard cuffs for a private.

[PaulChep]

Back

The back has the correct darts and piping.

[PaulChep]

For daily ware

When not worn for parade the paraderabatten in removed. I did not button all the buttons on the Ulanka but there is a double row of silver buttons. Notice that there in not a collar devises on the Ulanka, this indicates again that the Ulanka is for a private.

[PaulChep]

Inside

The inside is unmarked, which probable means that this is not a issue piece, but private purchase. the lining is in great condition.

[PaulChep]

Headgear

If the Ulanka was worn for parades then the Ulanen version of the picklehaub is worn. It has a flat mortor board on the top of the helmet rather then the spike. For regular walking out dress a private world wear a Mutze. As can be seen this Mutze has the yellow piping and no bill, again indicating private.

[PaulChep]

Mutze top

Another view of the Mutze

[PaulChep]

Mutze inside

As can be seen the inside of the Mutze has some wear.

[PaulChep]

Parade shoulder boards

As can be seen the shoulder boards are for the 15 Ulanen, company 2. The topside and underside are yellow and match the band on the mutze and piping on the Ulanka. The medal is brass.

[PaulChep]

Summary

The condition and quality of the Ulanka, Mutze and Boards are great. I would really like to conplete the uniform with a parade belt, Parade helmet and sword. If anyone ahs pictures of what these items look like please post them. I hope you liked the show.

[Rick Research]

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[GWA]

Paul,this is your lucky day. I have a model 89 Degen (sabre) with etched blade to the 15th, and adress(white) belt. I can't post pics but if you email I will reply. keoki77@earthlink.net

[Adrian Stevenson]

A very attractive tunic and cap.


Cheers, Ade.

[Gene T]

Shouldn't the Epauletten of the 15th have white metal parts? This Ulanka looks almost exactly like one of mine (I only have two), which I bought years ago without really knowing anything about these things (I have now progressed to the "knowing next to nothing" level). On mine, the Epauletten are not numbered and have german-silver trims. They are hand-sewn to the tunic, as the bridles are absent. The Epauletten are also noticeably wider than the common imperial variety, and will not fit through normal-sized bridles. (judging by the photo, these look wide also). These over-sized Ulan Epauletten (especially the ones I have) seem to show up for sale more often than their smaller counterparts (one UR 13 Ulanka sold on eBay a couple of years ago had a pair of standard-sized Epauletten AND a pair of over-sized ones, replete with over-sized cyphers, IIRC), yet I have never seen a period photo that shows these larger Epauletten being worn. If anyone has such a photograph, I would be most curious to see it. I also have a separately purchased Passegurtel that matches my tunic exactly in color and material. The belt is unmarked and is wholly made of cloth (rather than cloth covered leather), and looks rather roughshod for an imperial dress item (even for a lowly private). Compared to my second Ulanka - a moth-eaten thing once belonging to a GUR 2 lance-corporal - which is without any doubt authentic, the differences are obvious enough that I cannot avoid the funny feeling that my UR 15 Ulanka may have come from a different period. It's definitely not modern, nor theatrical, but perhaps a reenactment/ceremonial piece from the TR period? Incidentally, my GUR 2 Ulanka also came with a pair of oversized Epauletten, which are precariously attached to the standard sized bridles via snapped-on (but not home-made) tongues. I reckon those things would stay put only if the wearer remains perfectly still and never moves his arms. Riding a trotting horse will require exceptional form. A Roman salute would for sure cause one of them to fly off (so probably not TR period? ).

These Ulankas are an enigma to me, which may be why I still enjoy them so much.

Gene T

[Tony & Kaiser]

// Shouldn't the Epauletten of the 15th have white metal parts? //

Six years later.... Someone asked me about this thread, so I thought I would comment here. When epaulettes were introduced in 1824 for Ulanen, then crescents and scales were in brass. Silver crescents and scales to match the buttons and fittings on the Tschapka did not begin until Königs-Ulanen-Regt. (1. Hannoversches) Nr.13 went to silver on 24 Jan 1899. Other regiments followed along after that. Cyphers and numbers, however, are always brass. So any pair of Ulanen epaulettes that have brass crescents and scales can be assumed to be from before 1899. Below, issued UR15 in silver.