17th c. Polish Winged Hussar #1 (Styriwar)

Hello friends!

Today, the pride of Polish arms from centuries past! One of the most distinctive cavalrymen – the Winged Hussar!

I recently painted a foot model from my friends in STYRIWAR. It's full of exquisite details that reflect the historical aspect of the formation.

I'll tackle a mounted model sometime soon :)

The photos also include a Polish Dragoon and a Cossack from the 17th century by polish Wargamer company (anno Domini 1666 line).

The Polish hussars- alternatively known as the winged hussars, were an elite heavy cavalry formation active in Poland and in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1503 to 1702.

Their epithet is derived from large rear wings, which were intended to demoralize the enemy during a charge. The hussars ranked as the elite of Polish cavalry until their official disbanding in 1776.

The hussar formation proved effective against Swedish, Russian, and Ottoman forces, notably at the battles of Kircholm (1605), Klushino (1610), and Khotyn (1673).
Their military prowess peaked at the Siege of Vienna in 1683, when hussar banners participated in the largest cavalry charge in history and successfully repelled the Ottoman attack.
From their last engagement in 1702 (at the Battle of Kliszów) until 1776, the obsolete hussars were demoted and largely assigned to ceremonial roles.