"why use cuirasses if not bulletproof?" Topic

in each pistol bullit proof? saw one in musee d armee

rmee

In theory- it kind of depends on how close and how big the bullet

Plus I think they were thought to confer an advantage in hand to hand

Lance proof and sabre proof at any range would be enough for me to want to wear one. I think we need to be cautious about the definition of bullet-proof. At a given range it would have been proof against musketry and pistol shot more so than bare skin or clothing – so still an advantage.

I do believe that in a melee with your primary opponents-- with extremely long and extremely sharp blades slashing all about very close, where even an accidental mishap could prove very serious-- a metal covering to protect a persons major organs could prove to be very profitable and at least give some sense of security and comfort?
Russ Dunaway

I would think even musket proof at 50 yards possibly, and certainly sword proof.
It would be interesting to know what gauge the curass was and have a few shots at range at one.

just pistol bullit cal 12? the new style French carbri did not like yhem

Wasn't there an incident where it was determined that French cuirassiers (who had font & back plates) had a significant advantage over Austrians who only had front?

And they looked cool too……

However, I would wager -- based on a few surviving examples -- that they would not do much to stop a cannonball ??

Russ Dunaway

I agree with those who point out the effectiveness against lances and blades. They would intimidate lighter cavalry and militia.

A cavalryman wasn't worried about a musket ball – that was fired at his horse, a much bigger target. His problem was with the pistol of his commonest opponent, enemy cavalry. A good buff coat was considered proof against a sword but not against a pistol ball fired at close range in the melee.

Because they looked pretty!

Isn't there a scene in the movie "Waterloo" where a young soldier is advised to aim for a cuirassier's armpit?

Why not the face then ?

I have seen the one with a cannon ball in the shoulder at the French army museum, kind of scary.

"Did the Cuirassiers come up well at Waterloo?"
"Yes, and they went down well too".

I'm sure they had a psychological effect on the wearer and the person they were skewering. That's not nothing.