Cuirass 

A medieval-age piece of armor protecting the breast and back area.

The knight's cuirass protected him from arrows to the heart.

Cuirass by Marc Swift March 3, 2005

cuirassier

Napoleonic era. A type of heavy cavalry that got its name from the cuirass, the French word for breast plate. The idea was large men upon powerful horses, who were able to charge head-on into the enemy and expose and flanks or holes left in the lines of infantry after an artillery barrage. They were equipped with a cuirass, a long sword, two pistols and eventually a carbine.

After the artillery finsished its barrage, the cuirassiers charged the broken lines of infantry.

cuirassier by Galloping Ghost July 5, 2005

cuirassier

A type of elite heavy European cavalry who carried the Cuirass ( A type of sword )and often wore breast plates. Often looked down on firearms as weapons of the infantry preferring to use their swords in combat.

Napoleon's Cuirassiers kicked ass in the Austrian campaign of 1809

cuirassier by Howie February 25, 2005