Reiters were pistol-armed cavalrymen who served in the armies of 16th-17th-century Central Europe, including the Holy Roman Empire, Poland-Lithuania, and the Tsardom of Russia. They were initially recruited in northern Germany at the time of the Schmalkaldic War, and they were often equipped with two pistols, a sword, helmets, and cuirasses. The Reiters developed a special tactic known as "caracole," which allowed them to effectively bombard infantry units with constant weapons fire. In caracole, cavalry units created a tight formation. The units in front fired their weapons, and then quickly charged to the back to reload. The units that were just behind them fired immediately after the first row charged backwards to reload. The Reiters distinguished themselves at the 1597 Battle of Turnhout during the Dutch Revolt. During the late 17th century Reiters gradually merged into generic cavalry regiments.