"1792 french cuirassiers" Topic

To my surprise it is stated in the book "Citizens to arms"by Yves Martin (Helion books) on page 129/plate 41 that in 1792 the first 4 french cavalry regiments were armoured so in fact the french revolutionary army had now 5 cuirassiers regiments: nr 1,2,3,4,8
Never have heard about that fact. Someone any info?

Very interesting as "Histoire du 1er régiment de cuirassiers" Author: ???, Publisher: Lachèse et Dolbeau (Angers), 1889 link has (my rough translation):
17 September 1802, the First Consul prescribed to Berthier, Minister of War, to prepare a project to reduce to 18, the number of regiments of cavalry, and arm the first five with cuirasses, which with the 8th gave 6 with cuirasses. The first four regiments only were ironclad.

Will see what the other regimental histories (if accessible) have to say – certainly "Histoire de la cavalerie francaise" by General Susane makes no mention of Yves Martin comment.

"Histoire du 2e Régiment de Cuirassiers, ancien Royal de Cavalerie: 1635-1876" Author: Antoine Ernest Rothwiller, Publiusher; Plon, 1877" link makes no mention of cuirass until the 1802 reorganisation..

"Histoire du 3e régiment de Cuirassiers ci-devant du Commissaire général: 1645 – 1892", Author: Charles Maumené, Publisher: Boussod, Valadon et cie, 1893 link makes no mention of cuirass until the 1802 reorganisation.

Again "Histoire du 4e Régiment de Cuirassiers, 1643-1897, Volume 1" A. Lahure, 1897 link makes no mention of cuirass until the 1802 reorganisation.

Have also now looked at "La cavalerie pendant la Révolution" by Édouard Desbrière – again no mention of cuirasses other than the 8th.

In the light of the above has Yves footnoted his comment, and if so what does it say?

Les uniformes du Premier Empire – Cdt Bucquoy – Les cuirassiers

Pour l'année 1792 :
Seul le 8e régiment possède une cuirasse depuis 1638.

TOUS les autres ne sont pas cuirassés.

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Le décret du 10 octobre 1801 transformait le 1er Régiment de Cavalerie en Cavalerie-Cuirassiers

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Les 12 régiments seront entièrement équipés de la cuirasse/casque au cours de l'année 1804.

With the plate the sources are mentioned as Hoffman, W.Kobell, collection Dubois de l'Estang but as the plate only shows the 8th regiment, I suppose the sources only refers to that regiment.
Regarding the first 4 regiments changes it is mentioned:
The 8e's unique equipment was imitated by other units as it became quickly obvious when confrontedwith Austrian cuirassiers that the lack of armour penalized French cavalry. In 1792, the first four regiments adopted armour. In 1804, the first 12 regiments of cavalry were formally transformed into cuirassiers.

Reading this it seems an informal change?

In plate 42 of the same book is the 2nd regimentcavalry portrayed in 1793 but no cuirass to see and no mentioning of it in the description

@johannes55,

Many thanks – Nicholas Hoffman produced a series of plates for the army following the 1786 ordinance. (Not aware of any for 1792….).
Wilhem von Kobell has a painting for the 8th – cannot see one for other regiments wearing a cuirass, but all of his works may not be accessible online.

That said, strangely looking at NYPL's The Vinkhuijzen collection of military uniforms there is a print (not contemporary) of the 7th cavalrie with cuirass for 1789!!!! link There are others as well in the collection for other cavalry regiments (? artistic licence) for some years prior to becoming cuirassiers.

Wasn't the cuirassier du roi first numbered 7th or ranked 7th?

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theminiaturespage.com

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