Trooper's sword for the Cuirassier, Model An XI.
An emblematic sword of the Napoleonic period, for the tall and fierce cuirassier of the Napoléon Grande Armée.
The cuirassiers could turn a battle with their sheer weight and brute force. They looked dangerous everytime they ventured forward and the generals never employed them frivolously...
... Cuirassiers did wear a helmet made of steel with brass comb and
a black horse mane (for trumpeters red or white mane), plus a cuirass with front and back plates made of steel.
This is the late pattern of the Napoleon's cuirassier sword, AN XI (1802-1803), the previous model called, the AN IX, had a steel scabbard not thick and strong enough and the blade was flat and too heavy!
The blade spear point has been clipped post Waterloo in 1816, following the new regulation.
"Manufacture Impériale du Kligenthal Mai 1810".
In May 1810, was born Alexandre Walewski, illegitimate Napoléon's son with Maria Walewski and Louis-Gabriel Suchet won in Spain at Lerida.
In May 1810, was born Alexandre Walewski, illegitimate Napoléon's son with Maria Walewski and Louis-Gabriel Suchet won in Spain at Lerida.
Poincons "B" for JG Bick, controller from 1809 to 1812 and from "M" for Claude Marion, Inspector from 1808 to 1811.
Double fullered blade, dated May 1810 along the flat back, regulation brass hilt stamped with various numbers along the knuckle-guard, wire bound leather grip, in in its steel scabbard.
The scabbard of the AN IX was too fragile, the AN XI pattern was too robust and many cuirassiers would rather have the dragoon troopers leather scabbard (year XI pattern for the Dragons)... the strength of the scabbard AN XI was accused of being particularly dangerous when a horse fell.
Here we have the third scabbard model called the"1816 Model", in fact it seems that this scabbard was in use from 1814 (as evidenced by the relics of AN XI swords found on the battlefields of Waterloo ). It has a drag symmetrical like a "lyre".
The An IX will be used until 1855 by the heavy cavalry 54 640 will be produced between 1808 and 1817.
The scabbard of the AN IX was too fragile, the AN XI pattern was too robust and many cuirassiers would rather have the dragoon troopers leather scabbard (year XI pattern for the Dragons)... the strength of the scabbard AN XI was accused of being particularly dangerous when a horse fell.
Here we have the third scabbard model called the"1816 Model", in fact it seems that this scabbard was in use from 1814 (as evidenced by the relics of AN XI swords found on the battlefields of Waterloo ). It has a drag symmetrical like a "lyre".
The An IX will be used until 1855 by the heavy cavalry 54 640 will be produced between 1808 and 1817.
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| Cuirassiers charging at Eylau |
Regiment Rack number 1857 and various regimental marks
The Cuirassier was the heaviest of the Napoleonic Cavalry , these were big men on big horses with a breast plate or Cuirass hence their name. Many nations employed this form of heavy cavalry with armour such as the Austrians , Prussians and Russians, but the British never adopted armoured heavy cavalry during the war.
The Austrian Cuirassiers had only a front plate which made them lighter but very vulnerable if engaged from the rear.
In French service other elite heavy cavalry gained a cuirass, these were the Carabiniers who became armoured after the Austrian campaign of 1809 on the orders of Napoleon who wanted to reduce causalities among these elite shock troops.
Have a look at the French website for penetration test on the Cuirassier's cuirasse.
The Austrian Cuirassiers had only a front plate which made them lighter but very vulnerable if engaged from the rear.
In French service other elite heavy cavalry gained a cuirass, these were the Carabiniers who became armoured after the Austrian campaign of 1809 on the orders of Napoleon who wanted to reduce causalities among these elite shock troops.
Have a look at the French website for penetration test on the Cuirassier's cuirasse.
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| by Perry |
Like many of the Napoleonic cavalry these heavy armoured troops saw themselves as knights of the battlefield and looked down on firearms as weapons of the infantry preferring to use their swords in combat.
They were considered as elite troops and some British officers thought that the cuirassiers were "Bonaparte's Bodyguard."... But for the Russians, Austrians and Prussians Napoleon's heavy cavalry was a familiar opponent.
One battle was enough for the British to learn a very healthy respect for the iron-clad warriors and after Waterloo the British gave armor to their horse guard...which they are still wearing during ceremonial duties.
Cuirassiers were trained to charge deployed in two rows.
The leading row hitting before the following, this type of charge was good against infantry, because the leading squadron absorbed fire, while others were able to break the infantry before they had time to reload.
A Heavy cavalry attack had a hypnotic effect on the opponent...with the cuirasse, helmet, horse size and the magnificent sword.. a Waterloo British soldier described..
"We waited an infantry charge, our lines were ready, little affected by artillery fire. Suddenly I saw the sergeant who was inspecting the alignment stopping. I did not understand why - until I got a tingling down the leg. Then the ground seemed to convulse.
I was seized with anxiety. On our left front, the cannon began to thunder. My neighbor, veteran Millan, opened his mouth as if to protest but suddenly lost his voice, he let fall his clay pipe, he did not pick it, as if petrified.
I saw on his face like a band of light. Then, the entire first row we were part, seemed to illuminate chips. Straight ahead, a compact mass of cavalry came out. Breastplates, helmets, swords flashing in the sun , splashing our red clothes with metallic sheen. Then turning my head and at the same time that I saw, I heard someone I presume officer order the square position. The order was more than screamed, almost barked. Almost turning to the petition, he woke men petrified by the spectacle. Although the noise was deafening, however, we heard the "Vive l'Empereur". A condition of not being in our place, the show was great. "
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| A stunning image showing the opponent's fear |
