Dragoon info request

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Gra30

PlanetFigure Supporter
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Messages
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Hi all,
I am posting in the hope someone may be able to help.
Can anyone recommend or point me in the right direction for information on Napoleons mounted dragoons, specifically describing the weapons and equipment rather than just images.
I am happy to buy the Osprey books or others but on searching there are 2 and I really need one that identifies the weapons used at what period.
The cuirassier and carabinier book I have details all this and I am really after the same.
I cannot really tell what the osprey books contain and my only option is buying online, so if anyone has one and can tell me if it is contained I can buy that particular book, or if they can recommend a similar with the information I need I would really appreciate it.
Many thanks
Gra
 
I have the Osprey Napoleon's Dragoons and Lancers. It discusses horse furniture, weapons, and uniforms in reasonable detail. Also lists brief unit histories.
:)
 
Thank you all, my quest was to find the particular weapon for 1815.
My references have ranged from carbine, to shorter version of musket to standard musket.
As you can see there has been quite a lot of info that contradicts. Many thanks to those that messaged me with help.
I unfortunately still cannot find the specific shorter version and as you can imagine if being sculpted I really need the exact info or pictorial.
I have a plan B up my sleeve but just waiting on one last piece of info that may answer my question
Best wishes
 
I'm in no way an expert Graham but is this any good ? http://www.armae.com/Zenglish/napoleonic/napoleonic_empire_frame.htm
Mousqueton_de_cavalerie_legere_an_IX_dMQ110A.jpg

Introduced during the American Revolution, the carbine offered Light cavalry a short, light, and versatile firearm for close quarter fighting - the typical situation for Light Dragoons and Hussars.

It was in the reign of Napoleon that this firearm (AN IX version) became extensively used. Lancers, Carbiniers a cheval, Artillery Train, and the Line Chasseurs a Cheval all were issued with this carbine. Even the Sapeurs of Infantry Regiments found them ideal for their type of duties. The holding system (two rings running in a iron bar) even allows to fire without putting the baldric out.


Length 114cm, weigth 3.30kg



as according to this " http://www.napolun.com/mirror/napoleonistyka.atspace.com/French_Cavalry.html#frenchdragoons
Horses and Weapons.
Many dragoons were mounted on foreign horses.
When the dragoons expected to go into action
they drew sabers and muskets slung on their backs.
Napoleon had problems to find the right horses for his dragoons. In 1805 approximately 6.000 of them were without mounts and were organized into 4 foot dragoon regiments. Their duty was to guard the artillery reserves and the baggage trains. After the 1805-campaign Napoleon mounted the foot dragoons on captured Austrian horses. Then after the 1806-campaign Napoleon mounted the rest of the "walkers" on captured Prussian and Saxon horses.
The hardships of war in Spain, plus poor horsecare killed thousands of dragoons' mounts. For example in May 1811 the 3rd Dragons had only 139 horses left out of 563 ! The situation was so desperate that in 1812 was issued an order that all officers in infantry regiments have to give their horses to the dragoons.
The dragoons were armed with straight sabers and muskets. Their muskets were longer and had longer range of fire than light cavalry's carbines. While a light cavalryman's eqipment included a carbine sling as a means of keeping his weapon readily available for use, the greater length of musket issued to dragoons made a sling impractical. Thus the stock of the musket was seated in a boot attached to the saddle, and irs barrel restrained by a strap attached to the pommel.
When the dragoons expected to go into action they drew sabers and muskets slung on their backs. In 1813 at Dresden the Austrian infantry kept falling back, with their muskets useless during rain. The French dragoons followed them, loaded their firearms under their capes and fired into the enemy ranks. Two companies of infantry surrendered to the dragoons.
In 1814 the dragoons gave away their long muskets for the infantry."
Steve
 
Dear Graham, in response to you query regrding Napoleonic dragoons...
I have two books in the Slendeur Des Uniformes De Napoleon series, by Charmy. There are very nice crisp illustrations in it. Near-enough exploded diagrams of the saddelry and equippage such as sword belts, buckles, and arrangements about buttons. let me know if this is the kind of thing you're after. I can always send them to you in an email and let you decide if you'd like. There is alos a heap of text, but it's all in French...
It is also quite clear in these illustrations, their muskets were indeed pretty long.
please let me know either way
 

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