Original French 2nd Empire Pattern 1814 Cuirass Front Plate by Manuf're Roy'ale de Châtellerault - Well-Marked

Original Items: Only One Available. The cavalry have used armor for since ancient Greek and Roman times. In Europe in the Middle Ages full suits were used by the nobility and from the Tudor period of the 16th Century Breast and Back Plates, known as Cuirasses, were in continual use right up to the era of Napoleon III. Even today ceremonial wear includes such half armor on members of the British Household Cavalry.

Here we have a French Cuirass front plate, as was used during the Napoleonic Wars. This particular set was made around 1850 and was the style was used through the 2nd Empire under Napoleon III and into WWI.

The backside of the plate is clearly marked near the bottom:

Manuf're Roy'ale de Châtellerault    Août 1850 3.T.1L. No. 580

This indicates manufacture at the Royal Armory in Châtellerault in August 1850. The 5 in 1850 is very squiggly so we cannot say with complete certainty that it is 1850, but that looked closest.

There is heavy wear to the plate but it displays very well as a representative example of armor worn by French Cuirassiers for centuries.

An incredibly attractive 2nd Empire front plate that comes ready for further research and display.