marcellin de marbot
Well-Known Member
Hi to all,
As I promised, I wish put here some threads for a basic knowledge of the French Napoleonic Army. They had many and strict rules in dressing, more complicated sometimes from the campaign situations. The officers had to buy themselves all dresses, garments and arms, so often they introduced some adjustments, or embellishments in embroideries, specially if they were of high rank or commanders.
At first, the infantry (Line or Guard) symbols for the officers. These epaulettes could be in gold or silver, depending from the Corp, but according to the buttons, or other garments. As you said, the Guard was a special Elite Corp, formed by veterans, having many years of service, or well distinguished during the service in the Line. They had better clothing, better money, and generally entered in battle to solve the difficult situations, to fight against the best enemy troops.
Epaulette without fringe on the right shoulder, epaulette with fringes on the left shoulder.
For the generals, two stars were for the brigade generals, thee for division. Some Marshalls were also Commanders of important Corps, so they were Generals en chef, and had four stars at losangue, besides the two crossed sticks
This type of recognizing system was used also by cavalry officers, when they dressed the little uniform, as the "surtout" or "frac" jacket.
In the cavalry units as for example Hussars, Chasseurs de la Garde, the French army used a system of recognizing based on chevrons on the sleeves, and/or on the breeches, gold or silver, according to the buttons, or aother garments, as the breasts for the hussars. Often the breeches did not have "fer de lance" chevrons (Chasseurs de la Garde), or they could have hungarian knots, then the rank was visible only on the sleeves. The officers frequently showed off rich embroideries outlining the chevrons.
Now, we go on the NCO. The logical system is the same mentioned above
In the infantry the lower grade was the caporal, who had coloured stripes above the cuffs, then the caporal fourrier (a corporal employed in administrative jobs), anothe coloured stripe on the higher part of the sleeve.
The sergeants had gold or silver stripes above the cuffs.
All troopers and NCO could have some chevrons on the higher part of sleeves (coloured for the soldiers, gold or silver for the sergeants). These chevrons meant the years of service, one for ten years, two for 15, three for 20 or more ( but I think these men were too much rare!)
Same logic for the cavalry unit. NCO did not have rank chevrons on the breeches, only the drawings named "fer de lance" or the hungarian knots.
The grade of Adjudant was an heritage of the years before Napoleon's Empire, but it was the higher rank of NCO.
At last, some examples of real epaulettes, to understand better the different types of fringes between the officers until captain, and the the superior officers. In these photo it's possible also to see the mixing fringes of NCO (gold or silver mixed with basic colour of the troopers).
Trooper
NCO
Captain
Major
Well, for this moment I have ended. The theme is rather long and complicated, any answer is welcome. I hope this can be useful for your figures
Best regards
Marcello
As I promised, I wish put here some threads for a basic knowledge of the French Napoleonic Army. They had many and strict rules in dressing, more complicated sometimes from the campaign situations. The officers had to buy themselves all dresses, garments and arms, so often they introduced some adjustments, or embellishments in embroideries, specially if they were of high rank or commanders.
At first, the infantry (Line or Guard) symbols for the officers. These epaulettes could be in gold or silver, depending from the Corp, but according to the buttons, or other garments. As you said, the Guard was a special Elite Corp, formed by veterans, having many years of service, or well distinguished during the service in the Line. They had better clothing, better money, and generally entered in battle to solve the difficult situations, to fight against the best enemy troops.
Epaulette without fringe on the right shoulder, epaulette with fringes on the left shoulder.
For the generals, two stars were for the brigade generals, thee for division. Some Marshalls were also Commanders of important Corps, so they were Generals en chef, and had four stars at losangue, besides the two crossed sticks
This type of recognizing system was used also by cavalry officers, when they dressed the little uniform, as the "surtout" or "frac" jacket.
In the cavalry units as for example Hussars, Chasseurs de la Garde, the French army used a system of recognizing based on chevrons on the sleeves, and/or on the breeches, gold or silver, according to the buttons, or aother garments, as the breasts for the hussars. Often the breeches did not have "fer de lance" chevrons (Chasseurs de la Garde), or they could have hungarian knots, then the rank was visible only on the sleeves. The officers frequently showed off rich embroideries outlining the chevrons.
Now, we go on the NCO. The logical system is the same mentioned above
In the infantry the lower grade was the caporal, who had coloured stripes above the cuffs, then the caporal fourrier (a corporal employed in administrative jobs), anothe coloured stripe on the higher part of the sleeve.
The sergeants had gold or silver stripes above the cuffs.
All troopers and NCO could have some chevrons on the higher part of sleeves (coloured for the soldiers, gold or silver for the sergeants). These chevrons meant the years of service, one for ten years, two for 15, three for 20 or more ( but I think these men were too much rare!)
Same logic for the cavalry unit. NCO did not have rank chevrons on the breeches, only the drawings named "fer de lance" or the hungarian knots.
The grade of Adjudant was an heritage of the years before Napoleon's Empire, but it was the higher rank of NCO.
At last, some examples of real epaulettes, to understand better the different types of fringes between the officers until captain, and the the superior officers. In these photo it's possible also to see the mixing fringes of NCO (gold or silver mixed with basic colour of the troopers).
Trooper
NCO
Captain
Major
Well, for this moment I have ended. The theme is rather long and complicated, any answer is welcome. I hope this can be useful for your figures
Best regards
Marcello
Keep them coming.
