French Cavalry Cuirassier Breastplate (Third Republic)

This is an 1885 dated, Chatellerault-made breastplate, essentially identical to those used during the Napoleonic Wars, issued to officers and men of the Cuirassiers. This example weighs 8 lbs. 8 oz., and is dated with arsenal inscription and serial number on the inside of the hem lip. The plate has brass rivets at the top and bottom along the center-line, and there are three brass attachment studs: two for fixing the shoulder straps of the (not present) backplate, and one keeper for the leather waist belt. The steel is in fine shape with an old coating of dried varnish along the front, partially polished at the shoulders, and a thick coating of dark brown resin on the interior. This is a neat piece of 19th century armor that remained relatively unchanged from the Napoleonic Wars to World War I.