Few items are as evocative of the rise and fall of the Napoleonic legend as is Napoleonic armor. The production of French heavy cavalry armor followed the fortunes of the Napoleonic myth and those who are nostalgic for the folie de grandeur of Imperial France collect splendid Neoclassical armor worn by Napoleonic cuirassiers and Carabinier (elite cavalrymen), with a quasi-religious sense of devotion. The fine crested helmets and resplendent cuirasses of Napoleon’s Heavy Cavalry are fitting souvenirs of the Napoleonic bataille amusante (a battle fought with swords rather than bullets).

Napoleonic armor has been meticulously researched and studied in France and Belgium because it symbolizes the most glorious days of French history. An impressive selection of virtually all known types of ensembles (helmet, with matching back and breastplates) are displayed at Les Invalides, and several French publications tackle the subject in a scholarly manner but there still appears to be a significant knowledge deficit relating to Napoleonic armor outside of France. French Revolutionary and First Empire pieces are very difficult to find outside of museums and complete ensembles seem to be more unique rather than rare, but some dealers and auctioneers outside of France seem to regularly fail to identify choice pieces.

The term “Napoleonic Armor” is loosely used in the trade to denote the magnificent ensembles, which were used from 1802 (at the time of Napoleon I) to 1871 (the fall of Napoleon III), but whereas a fine First Empire cuirass is worth well over $5,000 on the international market, a common Second Empire cuirass would sell for less than $2,000.

Four main cuirass types were in use during the First Empire. The earliest in use by Napoleon’s heavy cavalry were recycled late 18th century demi-cuirasses (breast plates without back plates) captured from the Prussian foe. The first “true French Napoleonic Cuirass” was the Model 1802 pattern, which had a distinctive V-shaped fork. The Model 1802 was improved in 1806 when the Model 1806 was introduced. The Model 1806 cuirass retained the strong medial ridge and bombé form of the earlier pattern, but the bottom of the plate was rounded at the fork. The fourth and last First Empire cuirass, worn at Waterloo, was the pigeon-breasted Model 1809, which was more compact and had a rounder profile than the quasi-identical earlier versions.

The Carabineers wore cuirasses, which were reinforced with brass plates. Officers often complained of high wastage in cuirasses during campaigns, and those who saw the cuirassiers in action recount that the first thing a wounded cuirassier would do would be to throw his heavy cuirass away. Many cuirasses must have been destroyed in combat. The attrition rate was extremely high in the Napoleonic cavalry, and this explains why there are very few First Empire pieces in circulation.