The bird in question is bearded. Crest size and color is what made me question the Polish identification. No idea on crossing solid color to laced, never had an occasion to cross a bird "just because" would probably depend on what was hiding underneath the solid.
Oh, I know it had a beard. I was just trying to throw in some perspective on them being Polish, perhaps.

Since reading that article, while scouting Craigslist ads to sell some extra silkie roosters, I have come across someone selling black polish. I believe they are crossing their laced with a solid to achieve that based on the ad pictures.
So perhaps they ARE Polish, just not a standard color, or perhaps they are not, having been passed around to people as actual Polish. Either way, they are very close in looks. Do they have good personalities?