Carabineros Reales

Hierarchical Path: Seven Years War (Main Page) >> Armies >> Spanish Army >> Carabineros Reales

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.

Carabinero Reale in 1737 - Source: Conde de Clonard, Álbum de la Infantería española reproduced with the kind authorisation of the Asociación Cultural de Modelismo Histórico Alabarda

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

Uniform in 1759 - Source: Ibrahim90

Uniform Details as per
the Album de Taccoli of 1759

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 Collar none Shoulder straps none Lapels none Pockets horizontal pockets laced silver with 6 white buttons Cuffs crimson laced silver Turnbacks crimson
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	Crossbelt none Waistbelt none Cartridge Box n/a Scabbard n/a Footgear black boots
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth dark blue laced with a wide silver braid Housings dark blue laced with a wide silver braid Blanket roll n/a

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.