Carabiniers - à - Cheval The Carabiniers - à - Cheval were mounted troops in the service of France . Their origins date back to the mid - 16th century , when they were created as elite elements of the French light cavalry , armed with carbines but then gradually evolved towards semi - independent status during the 18th century . They only became independent units as late as 1788 , when a two - regiment heavy cavalry corps was created . From the French Revolutionary Wars onwards , they were the senior heavy cavalry regiments in the French army , rose to prominence during the Napoleonic Wars and were disbanded in 1871 , after the fall of the Second French Empire . Ancien Régime . The French carabiniers are first mentioned at the battle of Neerwinden in 1693 commanded by Prince de Conti . Although their original role was that of a mounted police similar to the Gendarmes , as combat troops they were first took the form of separate companies within each cavalry regiments on 29 October 1691 under Louis XIV . Only later was an independent regiment or " cavalerie de reserve " established in 1693 under the command of Duc du Maine . However at that time all French cavalry other than the gendarmes were called light cavalry , and their first name was " Corps royal des carabiniers " , organised by brigading of four squadrons commanded by a lieutenant - colonel . The Corps was enlarged to ten squadrons by the start of the Seven Years ' War . Their depot was in Strasbourg , where it remained for a century . On 13 May 1758 the Corps was renamed " Royal carabiniers de monsieur le Comte de Provence " . By 1762 the Corps was enlarged to five brigades of thirty squadrons , but was reduced to two regiments in 1788 . Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars . The 1st and 2nd Carabiniers - à - Cheval were created in 1787 , as regiments of heavy cavalry . They participated with distinction to the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars . Their uniform was described by the " Etat militaire de l ' an X " ( 1802 ) : " National blue costume and scarlet lapels , blue collar , bearskin hat , yellow bandolier and belt , with white plait on the edges . Horse equipage : saddle " à la française " , blue cover with white plait on the edges , a grenade in the corners , the ornaments of the bridle stamped with a grenade . " The decree of 24 December 1809 altered the uniform of the carabiniers : white costume , double steel cuirass ( breastplate and backplate ) covered with brass sheathing ( copper for officers ) , helmet with a peak and which covered the back of the neck , with a golden - yellow copper crest decorated with a chenille made of scarlet bristle . Their armament included a carbine , a sabre ( straight - bladed before c . 1811 , then " " a la Montmorency " " - with a very slight curve ) and a pair of pistols . 19th Century . Carabiniers were again raised in the form of two regiments by 1824 , with their distinctive style of helmet being temporarily adopted by the cuirassiers also . The Carabiniers were present in Paris in June 1848 for the creation of the Republic when nine regiments were brought in to maintain peace , the first time in 200 years that carabiniers were again serving as military police . From 1852 the Carabiniers were a part of the Army of the Second French Empire , but did not serve in the Crimean War . They saw service again in 1870 as a single regiment , but now as part of the Imperial Guard . Following the Franco - Prussian War the Carabiniers were amalgamated with the 11th Cuirassier regiment on 4 February 1871 . The 1 - 11e Régiment de Cuirassiers of the modern French Army can accordingly trace its origin , in part , to the 19th Century Carabiniers . By coincidence the present day regiment is stationed in Carpiagne within Provence , once the domain of their former commander . See also . Uniform of the 1st squadron of the 1st regiment of Carabinier - à - cheval , in 1815 , on " " Les uniformes pendant la campagne des Cent Jours " "