FRENCH CUIRASSIER’S BACKPLATE, NAPOLEONIC PERIOD

16 ¼” height, heavy “shot proof” weight, 6 pounds 1.7oz. with rolled brass edges and rivets. The interior with remnants of its leather liner bands and showing iron lamination from early mill rolling. Unmarked but for a three bar cross at the bottom. That mark accords with the “canceled broad arrow” British government property mark. The broad arrow, comprised of three intersecting short lines, was used to identify government property, particularly military ordnance. When obsolete and sold as surplus, the mark was faced with an identical opposite mark, the combination being the triple bar cross as here.  It’s possible though not customary, that this backplate was stocked as British ordnance after Napoleon’s defeat, then delisted in the updated rearmament following the wars. Both sides at the bottom are bent to facilitate wall mounting. It was common for noble officers to decorate their homes in weapons and armor, clearly the situation here.