"Saxon Cuirassiers 1806" Topic

They wore the cuirass in the field in 1806 or not? I've been through several references, online and books, and half say they wore them and half say they didn't. What's everyone's guess on this? I'm inclined to think that Saxon practice likely mirrored the Prussians and the cuirasses were left at the depot.

Ditto with your opinion. Artists tend to draw them all in their parade uniforms no matter what nation they are (I like them better in parade uniforms too) When it comes to campaigning and battle, it is another story entirely.

I always thought that they did not wear the cuirasse in the 1806 campaign.

My Old Glory 15mm have then so mine wear them…

Andre Jouineau's uniform plates in Hourtoulle's 'Jena-Auerstaedt – The Triumph of the Eagle' shows them without cuirasses.

Although there was a great deal of enmity between Saxony and Prussia, the Saxons tended to follow Prussian military practice quite closely, and the Prussians definitely went without the cuirass.

This is from the contemporary series of plates on the Saxon army 1805/1806 by Carl Hess at the Napoleon Series

napoleon-series.org

The Saxon heavy cavalry are also depicted without the cuirass.

@XV Brigada: Yes, that's the problem. Some sources say "with" and some say "without". I'm betting it was without.

What sources say without ?
Ignore them.
There were two Saxon heavy cavalry regiments which did not wear the cuirass
Garde du Corps
and
Karabinier regiment
those regiment which were called cuirassiers did wear the cuirass.
so HistoryPhD – you lost your bet.
Also the Saxons would be quite offened to be accused to follow Prussia closely.
Jouineaus plates about Saxons in Hourtoulles Jena and Auerstedt are not one of his best work and full of errors.

The Saxons certainly were allies of convenience only and there was a definite enmity between the two countries. Well, that now brings up the problem of my 6mm Saxon curassier figures (Adler 1806 Prussian curassier figures with a Saxon paint job) are quite clearly molded without cuirasses. Damn!!

Chest plates only or chest and back?

What can I say, Hess produced his plates at the time so he is a primary source.

I see there was a thread on this subject about a year ago and no definite conclusion was arrived at then either. One of those issues that'll have to be shelved until science comes up with time travel!

Napoleon Et L'Allemagne by Tranie & Carmigniani also show Saxon Cuirassier in a blackened Cuirass on Page 77. Than on page 87 there is an engraving by Hess and Granicher Year 1800 without a Cuirass, although they weren't on a war footing in 1800, so you probably can dismiss this engraving.

I know this has been an on going discussion for many years.

Breast plates only

I don't understand the ongoing discussion, it shows only a lack of understanding and ignoring sources.

the plate in Napoleon et l'Allemagne shows – Garde du Corps – which had no cuirass (but they were no cuirassiers but heavy cavalry).

It would be the same rediculous discussion to say French cuirassiers did not wear a cuirass because carabiniers of 1806 and grenadiers à cheval did not wear any.

The issue doesn't have to be shelved at all, the sources are there – either one can accept them or ignore them.

To repeat again, those regiments which were called cuirassiers did wear the cuirass, the other two heavy cavalry regiments

Garde du Corps
and
Karabiniers

did not wear any cuirass.

This is well reflected on all primary sources from 1791 to 1809.

The same for post 1810 – Garde du Coprs did not wear any cuirass but the Zastrow Kürassiere did very well wear one.
The tradition was kept.
It would be rediculous to argue that because Garde du Corps did not wear cuirass in 1810 – also Zastrow Kürassiere did not wear any.

In case one likes to see the non cuirass wearing heavy cavalry regiments in colour, follow the link of XV Brigada.

For more read :

Ortenburg & Kersten : Die Sächsische Armee von 1763 bis 1862, Beckum 1982

"Die beiden Kürassier Regimenter trugen schwarze Brustpanzer, …, page 16
The two cuirassier regiments (nota bene – 2 and not four) -did wear black front cuirasses.

From 1776 Saxony had only 4 heavy cavalry regiments

Carde du Coprs (no cuirass)
Karabinier Regiment (no cuirass)
Kürassier Regiment Kurfürst (cuirass, note Kürassier)WITH cuirass
Kürassier Regiment Prinz Eugen von Anhalt Dessau (1806 Kochtitky Kürassiere) WITH cuirass

In case one compares with an analytical mind primary sources you will find – surprise – surprise

immages of Saxon heavy cavalry without cuirass – these are
Garde du Coprs
Karabiniers
and Saxon heavy cavalry with cuirass – the Saxon cuirassiere.

So HistoryPhD – just paint your "Prussian" cuirassiers as
Garde du Corps and
Karabiniers
and call those units Saxon heavy cavalry.

I don't understand it either.