Goldchestplate 2ème Régiment de Carabiniers Cuir

This famous gold cuirass was worn by rank-and-file troopers of the 2nd Regiment of Carabiniers of the French Army in the Napoleonic Wars. It signified one of Napoleon's most elite heavy cavalry regiments. Up until 1810, the Carabiniers had blue coats and wore no chestplate. But, in 1810, Napoleon decreed that, for their protection, steel cuirasses covered in brass accompanied by white coats to denote their status as elite heavy cavalry should be issued to the Carabiniers.