Czapka Czapka ( , plural : czapki ) is a Polish and Belarusian 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 shako . In its early , compact form from 1784 onwards the Czapka was introduced by Austrian uhlans , during the time Galicia was under Habsburg rule . Its use was spread from eastern Europe by the Polish Legion , fighting for the French in the Napoleonic Wars , and became popular not only among Napoleon ' s French and allied forces , such as Westphalia , Bavaria , Saxony and Naples , but also among the armies of his enemies . The Grand Duchy of Warsaw used them for infantry and artillery units , but otherwise they were only ever used for uhlan units . After the Polish lancer s 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 Imperial Guard of Napoleon III . Lancer regiments in the British Army continued to wear czapki ( described as " lance caps " ) for full dress until 1939 and the modern Queen ' s Royal Lancers still retains this historic headdress for its Lancer Honour Guard . With the end of the Second French Empire the 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 . Spanish lancers wore the " Polish style " headdress from 1833 until after 1868 when a nickel - plated helmet with spike was adopted . World War I . In 1914 czapki 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 czapki 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 czpaka 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 . However in 1982 the rogatywka re - appeared as the headdress of the ceremonial honour guard guarding Belvedere Palace . Officers of the modern Polish Army wear the four sided cap in certain orders of dress , although berets are the normal headdress .