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Composite Three-Quarter Armor for a Cuirassier

Composite Three-Quarter Armor for a Cuirassier

Culture: South German

Date: c. 1620
Medium: steel, iron, leather (some original), paint
Credit Line:Museum Purchase
Object number: 1939.359.1
As firearms became the favored weapon of the heavy cavalry in Europe, the lance-wielding horseman was replaced by a new type of cavalryman – the cuirassier. They were primarily armed with pistols which led to the development of the stately caracole tactic where cuirassiers fired their pistols as the enemy, then retired to reload while their comrades advanced in turn to maintain firing. They wore three-quarter armor to the knee because heavy leather boots protected the lower legs. Their armor was often blackened to reduce maintenance.  This type of armor remained popular until after the end of the Thirty Years’ War in 1648 but by the start of the 18th century the cuirassier was outfitted with a breast and backplate only.
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