Cuirassiers

As many as 15 cuirassier regiments formed the bulk of Napoleon's heavy cavalry during the First French Empire.

In 1810, the two carabiniers regiments were also equipped with armour similar to the cuirassiers' and therefore became in effect a type of cuirassier unit.

The cuirassiers were considered elite units (as shown by their red epaulettes and red plumes).

Although they were at some point equipped with carbines and pistols, the cuirassiers would mainly use their long straight swords while charging enemy troops.

The effectiveness of the cuirass (the torso armour consisting of a breast plate and back plate) worn by the cuirassiers has been endlessly debated, especially regarding its use against firearms. What is certain though is that the cuirass offered a solid protection against bladed weapons including swords, lances and bayonets.

The cuirass, along with the helmet and its mane protecting the neck, the leather gauntlets and to some extent the epaulettes made the cuirassiers (and carabiniers) the best protected and most heavily armed (with the obvious exception of the artillery) troops on the Napoleonic battlefield.

The cuirassier's arms and equipment (steel helmet and cuirass, leather gauntlets, long straight sword, carbine, pistol(s) and epaulettes) turned each trooper into a one-man mobile armory

For everyday life at the barracks and for some duties such as during training exercises or sentry duty, the cuirassiers would forego their cuirass (and horse) to guard a camp or barracks on foot for example.

When visiting town while not on duty, the cuirassiers would conviniently wear a simple bicorn instead of their heavy helmet.