Cuirassiers ( /ˌkwɪrəˈsɪər/, from French cuirassier, ) were mounted cavalry soldiers equipped with armour and firearms, first appearing in late 15th-century Europe. They were the successors of the medieval armoured knights. This French term means "the one with a cuirass" (cuirasse), the breastplate armour which they wore. The first cuirassiers were produced as a result of armoured cavalry, such as the man-at-arms and demi-lancer, discarding their lances and adopting the use of pistols as their primary weapon. In the later 17th century the cuirassier lost his limb armour and subsequently employed only the cuirass (breastplate and backplate), and sometimes a helmet. By this time the sword was the primary weapon of the cuirassier, pistols being relegated to a secondary function. Cuirassiers achieved increased prominence during the Napoleonic Wars and were last fielded in the opening stages of World War I. Cuirassiers continue to be employed as ceremonial troops by a number of countries.
Read more about Cuirassier: The 16th and 17th Century Cuirassier, 18th and 19th Century, Effectiveness During Napoleonic Wars, Franco-Prussian War, 20th Century, Cuirassiers Today, Cuirassier Harness Evolution