ANTIQUE 1831 FRENCH CUIRASSIER HEAVY CAVALRY CUIRASS BREASTPLATE

Description

An original 1831 French heavy cavalry Cuirassier front breastplate. We do not have the back plate or straps, only the front breastplate shown. The last photo (not included) shows the complete uniform of an 1831 Cuirassier for reference. The armor and uniform for 1831 was very similar to the Napoleonic War era. The uniform and armor remained mostly unchanged right into WWI, when the armor was last used in battle. The steel is quite thick and strong, and would probably provide good protection against swords, lances, bayonets, and even most common pistols. Full size rifles and muskets would have penetrated the armor easily, except at extreme ranges.
The bottom back ridge is marked Klingenthal as the place of manufacture and 1831 as the date of manufacture. This marking can be seen in the second photo.
Needless to say, original examples of these cuirasses are hard to find in the U.S. If you are planning to wear it, you will need a trim roughly 30" waist. It is intended to extend down just below the natural waist (the narrowest part of the torso just below the navel), not the hips. Weighs 13 lbs. 16" high and 14" wide.  Will be carefully packed, fully insured, and will require signature confirmation upon delivery.