[1] 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.

[9] 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.

[8] 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.