Trumpeter of the 9th Cuirassier Regiment in full dress uniform, 1810
At the end of the 18th century, column and loose formation tactics emerged and began to develop in Europe. This led to the gradual revival of heavy cavalry, capable of delivering a powerful, decisive blow to the enemy in close formation on the battlefield. From 1801 to 1803, First Consul Bonaparte decreed that cavalry regiments in France were converted into cuirassier regiments, resulting in the formation of the 9th Regiment in October 1802. During the Napoleonic Wars, the French cavalry consisted of 14 cuirassier regiments.
To protect cavalrymen from enemy fire during attacks, metal cuirasses and helmets were introduced. Each cuirassier regiment consisted of a headquarters and four squadrons of two companies each. According to regulations, the regiment consisted of 41 officers and 1,000 enlisted men. A company consisted of 3 officers and 68 enlisted men (since 1810, the company's size was increased to 120 men). Each regiment had 5 trumpeters (a staff trumpeter and one in each squadron). Only three squadrons participated in combat; the fourth squadron remained at the regimental depot. All cuirassier regiments had a uniform, equipment, and weapons, and were distinguished by their uniform colors. The uniform of the 9th Cuirassier Regiment from 1800 to 1815 was yellow.
The uniform of the cuirassier trumpeters was unusually varied. The only thing they had in common was that they did not wear cuirasses. The regiment's trumpeters wore uniforms "à la francaise" of yellow cloth with long tails. The collar, lapels, cuffs, and tail folds were purple. The uniform buttons were pewter with the regimental number. The epaulettes were white. The heavy cavalry uniform tails featured a flaming grenade. Headgear consisted of a tall black fur cap with a blue and scarlet crown with a white cross, a white chevron, and a purple plume with a yellow top. The chinstrap was further decorated with brass "scales." In dress uniform, trumpeters wore white culottes (short trousers) and black thigh-high boots with steel spurs. Gloves were made of thin, thick leather with high white gaiters.
Trumpeter weapons included a broadsword and pistols. For carrying bladed weapons, each cuirassier was equipped with a bleached leather belt. The heavy cavalry broadsword was approximately 113 cm long. The hilt was decorated with a bleached leather lanyard. Trumpeters lacked cartridge pouches. Two cavalry pistols were carried in holsters (pistol holsters) in front of the saddle, beneath the half-waltzrap. The horse equipment was of the heavy cavalry type. The half-waltzrap was made of black sheepskin with yellow scallops. The rectangular saddlecloth was made of dark blue cloth and decorated with white wool braid around the perimeter. Images of flaming grenades in the rear corners of the saddlecloth were cut from white cloth. A rectangular suitcase was made from the same materials as the saddlecloth. The regimental number was marked in white on the ends of the suitcase. A rolled-up cloak, with the yellow lining facing outward, was worn over the suitcase.
Trumpeters were assigned light-colored horses (white, light gray).
Scale: 1/32 (54 mm)
Materials: tin alloy, steel, acrylic and tempera paints
Text updated 10.10.2021
