Königlicher Prinz Cuirassiers

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Origin and History

This regiment was raised in 1703 as the “Flemming-Kürassiere”.

According to the 1753 État, during peacetime each cuirassier regiment counted 8 companies in 4 squadrons for a total of 514 men and 394 horses.

In 1756, after the surrender of the Saxon Army at Pirna, the entire regiment was distributed among the Prussian cavalry.

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded by:

• since 1734 till 1756: Royal Prince of Saxony

The regiment was re-established in 1763 and disbanded in 1778,

Service during the War

At the end of August 1756, when Frederick II invaded Saxony, the regiment retired to Pirna with the rest of the Saxon army. At Pirna, the regiment was deployed on the right wing under von Arnim, as part of von Reitzenstein's Brigade. The Prussians blockaded the Saxon army in Pirna from September 9 until October 15 when the Saxons finally had to surrender. The entire regiment was then distributed among the Prussian cavalry.

Uniform

Privates

Cuirassier in "kollet" in 1756 - Copyright Frédéric Aubert

Trooper of the Königlicher Prinz Cuirassiers in 1756 - Copyright: Franco Saudelli and Dr Marco Pagan

Uniform Details

Headgear	black tricorne laced white with a white cockade fastened with a small white button; one light blue bob in each lateral corne
Neckstock	black
Coat	white lined light blue with 6 white buttons (arranged 1-2-3) down to the waist on each side; 3 white buttons under the waist on the right side Collar light blue Shoulder strap none Lapels none Cuffs light blue without 3 white buttons arranged vertically Turnbacks light blue
Waistcoat	buff leather kollet edged with a light blue braid with a white central stripe; no button (fastened with hooks and eyes) a light blue waistcoat was worn under the kollet
Breeches	buff
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt n/a Waistbelt natural leather with a brass buckle Cartridge Box n/a Scabbard black with brass fittings Footgear black boots with white knee covers
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth ??? Housings ??? Blanket roll ???

Troopers were armed with ???.

Officers

 To do: specify particularities of the uniforms of the officers

Musicians

 To do: specify particularities of the uniforms of the musicians

Standards

Leibstandarte: white damask field heavily embroidered in gold with silver piping, centre device consisting of a gold shield of ornate design carrying the Royal Polish arms (white eagles and white knights on a red field) and on the centre the arms of Saxony beneath the electoral hat, surmounted by a crimson royal crown and surrounded by green palm leaves. Fringe in silver (buttons color) and light blue (distinctive color = bleu mourant).

Ordinarstandarte: light blue (bleu mourant) damask field heavily embroidered in gold with silver piping; centre device consisting of the golden royal cipher "AR" on a white pedestal surmounted by a royal crown and surrounded by green palm leaves. Fringe in crimson red and silver (buttons color).

The first squadron carried the white colonel (Leib) standard while the 3 other squadrons each carried one ordonnance standard.

References

Bavaria, Saxony and the Palatinate Supplement: Uniforms & Flags of the Seven Years War. Researched by M.Lange and A. Sharman. Compiled by R.D. Pengel. Artwork by G.R. Hurt. Birmingham, 1981.

Summerfield, Stephen; Saxon Cuirassier in Napoleon Series