Carabineros Reales
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Contents
Origin and History
The brigade was formed on March 7 1732 from carabiniers of the various line cavalry regiments. It belonged to the Household cavalry and, to the exception of the Reales Guardias de Corps, had precedence over all cavalry units of the Spanish army. It counted 4 squadrons, each consisting of 3 companies.

During the War of the Polish Succession, the brigade served in Italy and fought at Bitonto on May 24 1734).
During the War of the Austrian Succession, the brigade served once more in Italy, being present to all major actions. On February 8 1743, at the battle of Campo Santo, it lost 134 men. On August 20 1745, along with 1,000 infantrymen, it forced the passage of the Tanaro river
The staff of the brigade consisted of:
- 1 officer
- 1 deputy commander
- 1 major
- 2 adjutants
- 1 chaplain
- 1 surgeon
- 1 kettle-drummer
- 1 saddler
- 1 marechal-ferrant .
Each company counted 56 men:
- 1 captain
- 1 lieutenant
- 1 ensign
- 2 sergeants
- 1 trumpeter
- 3 corporals
- 47 carabiniers
During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was under the command of:
- no information available yet
Service during the War
No information available yet about the service of the regiment during the Seven Years' War
Uniform
Privates

Headgear | black tricorne laced silver with a red cockade fastened with a white button | ||||||||||||
Neckstock | white | ||||||||||||
Coat | dark blue with white buttons on the right side, small white buttons to fasten the basques
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Waistcoat | crimson laced silver with white buttons, horizontal pockets with white buttons | ||||||||||||
Breeches | dark blue (as per some authors, may have been red during campaigns) | ||||||||||||
Leather Equipment |
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Horse Furniture |
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Officers
no information available yet
Musicians
Musicians wore a dark blue coat heavily laced with silver braids, red cuffs and red breeches.
Colours
The coronela (colonel standard) of the brigade was white with silver embroideries and bore the royal arms.
The squadron standards carried by the 3 other squadrons were blue and bore the royal arms.
References
Album de Taccoli, 1759
Anne Brown Military Collection, Brown University Library, Providence, Rhode Island
Boeri, G. C., Horse Grenadiers and Royal Carabiniers of the Spanish Army in Italy - 1734-1747, 18th Century Military Notes & Queries No. 9
Ministerio de Defensa, El Ejército de Fernando VI, Madrid, 1993, pp. 42-43
O'Hara, Danny, The Forces of King Charles III, Seven Years War Association Journal, Vol. XII No. 3
Acknowledgment
Juan José Torres and the Asociación Cultural de Modelismo Histórico Alabarda for the information and counselling provided for this article.