Reiter shooting his pistol, 1599, Jacob de Gheyn

German reiter, 1577

Reiter – Claes Visscher, 1599

German reiter, 1580

Which are your favorite cuirassiers in history?

toryandfabulous:

cuirassier:

I like the French Napoleonic cuirassiers the most.

I am also fond of the German and Swedish cuirassiers from mid 17th c.

What is the difference between the cuirassier of the 17th century and a reiter?

I think reiters relied more on ranged combat with carbines and pistols, being sometimes used under the caracole system or firing at point-blank at their enemies, often in their heads. On the other hand, cuirassiers used mostly their swords, although they also had firearms.

I would say it was a matter of how the troops were trained and used in battle rather than significant differences in equipment.

Note: The cuirassier from the second image is from 1645, the other fellow on the third one is from 1672.

Swedish cavalry officer of  Smaland regiment during the reign of Gustav II Adolph  (1611-1632)