Mounted Dragoon of the Imperial Guard, 1806
This month we present one of the standout pieces in our Napoleonic cavalry collection: a mounted dragoon of the Imperial Guard, 1806, in campaign uniform, the work of the master sculptor Ramón Labayen in 54 mm scale.
The figure represents a trooper of the Dragoon Regiment of the Imperial Guard, known as the Empress’s Dragoons, in honour of Joséphine de Beauharnais.
What is a dragoon in Napoleonic cavalry?
Originally, dragoons were mounted infantry: soldiers who used the horse to travel but fought on foot. Over time, they evolved into a versatile line cavalry, able to fight both mounted and dismounted.
Their armament combined a musket or carbine with a sabre, reflecting their dual nature within Napoleonic cavalry.
Origins of the Dragoons of the Imperial Guard in 1806
The regiment was created in 1806, following Napoleon’s victory at Austerlitz. The Emperor drafted the best dragoons into his Imperial Guard, his elite corps.
Command fell to Jean Thomas Arrighi de Casanova, a young officer with a distinguished military record in campaigns such as Egypt, Marengo and Austerlitz.
The dragoons took part in major engagements such as:
- Medina de Rioseco
- Wagram
- Leipzig and Hanau
- The Russian campaign (including the Berezina)
The final campaigns and the end of the regiment
In 1814, the Dragoons of the Imperial Guard took part in memorable actions such as the charge at Montmirail, where Napoleon declared that “his dragoons worked miracles.”
During the Hundred Days, they took part in the 1815 campaign and at Waterloo, where their charges failed to break the British squares. After the final defeat, the regiment was disbanded.
The uniform of the 1806 mounted dragoon
The 1806 mounted dragoon wore a uniform similar to that of the Horse Grenadiers, but in dark green with crimson details.
Notable elements include:
- White shabraque with gold braid
- Roman-inspired helmet with leopard-skin turban
- Cavalry sabre
These details reflect the prestige of the Imperial Guard and its impact on European cavalry.
The miniature by Ramón Labayen
This figure is the work of Ramón Labayen, one of the great names of European military miniature art.
A native of Tolosa, Labayen began as a self-taught artist in 1961, inspired by the British school. Together with Fermín Galarreta, he developed a style characterised by:
- Anatomical precision
- Historical accuracy
- High-quality polychromy
His pieces are today genuine collector’s items, and form a prominent part of the Museo L’Iber collection.
About the author
Alejandro Noguera Borel — Director of Museo L’Iber and of Fundación Libertas 7. In the world of miniature soldiers since the 1970s.
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