DRAGOONS

For the period 1792-1815 there were six regiments of dragoons serving in the Austrian Army. The organization of these units was different from that of the Light Cavalry and changed somewhat at various times during the wars.

In 1792 the Dragoon Regiments had four divisions of two squadrons each, with a squadron strength of 130 troopers. In 1806-1808 the dragoon regiments had their squadron numbers reduced from eight to six, with 133 men per squadron, for a regimental strength of 788 troopers. For the early campaigns of 1813 the number of mobilized heavy cavalry squadrons was only four, with a squadron strength of about 120 men each, giving the Dragoon only 480 men in the field.

In late 1813 and early 1814 the two reserve squadrons were added to the regiments but these did little more than replace losses.

REGIMENTAL COLORS:

Regiment Erzherzog Johann: Black
Regiment Konig von Bayern: Dark Blue
Regiment Minutillo: Dark Red
Regiment Windisch Graetz: Madder Red
Regiment Prinz Eugen von Savoyen: Dark Green
Regiment Ficquelmont: Light Blue

TUNIC AND BREECHES: All White with Regimental Colors on collar, cuffs.

FOOTWEAR: Knee-high Black boots.

OTHER EQUIPMENT: Horse furniture, helmet, carbine, swords and straps are all identical with other Calvary Regiments, Chevauleger and Currassier.

CUIRASSIERS

The "elite" of the Austrian Heavy Cavalry forces were the Cuirassier Regiments that constituted a heavy reserve striking force in almost every major battle fought during the period 1792-1815. The Cuirassiers were recruited primarily in the area of Hungary, and had eight regiments in service from 1792-1815. In organization and uniform the Cuirassiers were almost identical to the Dragoons except that they wore a "half cuirass", or breastplate, and rode a somewhat larger, heavier horse.

REGIMENTAL COLORS:

Regiment Kaiser Franz Joseph Dark Red
Regiment Erzherzog Franz Joseph d'Este Black
Regiment Herzog Albert zu Sachsen-TeschenPink
Regiment Kronprinz Ferdinand Grass Green
Regiment Somariva Light Blue
Regiment LiechtensteinBlack (Gold Buttons & Knots)
Regiment Lothringen Dark Blue
Regiment Hohenzollern-Hechingen Scarlet

TUNIC AND BREECHES: All White with Regimental Colors appearing on the front collar only, cuffs and coattail edging.

HEADGEAR: As with the Dragoons and Chevaulegers with Brass frontpiece.

CUIRASS: Silver in color with White straps.

HORSE FURNITURE: As with the other cavalry regiments.

EQUIPMENT: Saber in metal scabbard with White strap worn around the waist or on the saddle. A wide White strap was worn over the left shoulder with a Black cartridge case attached.

FOOTWEAR: Knee-high Black boots.

More Austrian Army and Navy 1792-1815

Introduction
Austrian and Hungarian Grenadiers
Austrian and Hungarian Line Infantry
Austrian, Hungarian, Tyrolean, and Salzberg Landwehr
Austrian, Hungarian, Vienna, and Serbian Freikorps
Archduke Charles Legion
National Schutzvereine (Shooting Society)
Grenzers and Jagers
Cavalry: Hussars and Lancers
Cavalry: Austrian Chevaulegers (1803-14)
Cavalry: Dragoons and Cuirassiers
Artillery and Naval Personnel