03-07-2013, 07:41 PM
Do you think so? Let's forget about the above-mentioned carabiniers without carabines, or light dragoons without muskets, let's take something less remote. How about the Roman Spear-bearers and Shield-bearers of the 6th century CE? The names were relevant alright, but they referred to status, not to weaponry. Same with the Sword-bearers and the Mace-bearers of the Persianate Muslim dynasties.