THIS DRAGOON HELMET is made entirely of brass, giving a great deal less protection than the iron skull cap of the cuirassiers. The heavy cavalry were the key strike force of any army, used as the main shock force to smash through the enemy lines. These cavalry were known under numerous titles: guard cavalry, cuirassiers, carabiniers and dragoons, but were generally dressed and armed similarly except for the cuirassiers and carabiniers, who wore body armour (see item 10).
These cavalrymen universally carried heavy swords which were straight bladed as shown, not curved slashing swords like the light cavalry. These weapons could be used to slash at an enemy, but were generally designed to be used to thrust, with the sword point stabbing the enemy.
Most heavy cavalry were also equipped with muskets; it is recorded that French dragoons would sometimes dismount and act as infantry, using their dragoon muskets.
The British heavy cavalry was largely a spent force after its use in the defeat of d’Erlon’s corps and subsequent mauling by the French lancers. This gave Napoleon a great advantage, with his heavy cavalry still in perfect order in reserve. However, these heavy cavalry regiments were swallowed up in the mass French cavalry attacks against the allied infantry squares. In the end the light cavalry decided the battle: the French collapse released the British light cavalry to destroy any last semblances of resistance and the Prussian light cavalry to decimate the routing French during the night that followed.
Date of manufacture:
c. 1815
Location:
National Army Museum, London, UK
French cuirassier sword.