Original Item: Only One Available. One of the most romantic style helmets ever issued in the British military is this CHAPKA and was used exclusively by mounted lancers.
The 16th Regiment of Light Dragoons was first raised in 1759, known as Burgoyne’s Light Horse they were renamed in 1766 as “The Queen’s” Regiment after King George III’s wife Queen Charlotte. In 1769 they became the 16th (The Queen’s) Regiment of Dragoons.
They arrived in New York in September 1776 and saw action at Brandywine, Paoli and Monmouth Court House and returned to England in 1778. They became the 16th, the Queen’s Lancers in 1816. They saw service worldwide, in the Peninsula War, in India, in Asia and in South Africa between 1900 and 1902. The Regiment was amalgamated in 1921 and was thereafter known as the 16th/5th The Queen’s Royal Lancers. The 16th has always been considered one of Britains great cavalry regiments.
This Chapka helmet is for a Trooper (other ranks) and sports a black horsehair plume. It is offered in truly excellent condition with full chin scales and lining. The intricate brass helmet plate bearing the regiment title is covered in glorious battle honors the last of which were in the South African war of 1899-1902 allowing us to accurately date the helmet to1902. This is a splendid and truly classic example of a British Lancer’s Helmet from the height of the British Empire.