Dan Morton
A Fixture
Background: The pose and setting were taken from an often published wartime photo of two Poilus in a similar 'hasty' 1915 trench forward position. I changed the figures to Fusilier Marins. The French Marins were unlike USMC or British Royal Marines-they had little training in amphibious landings, etc. But they were tough, mostly professional and elite. They held the line in 1914 at Yser and many other times in the Great War.
In the trench are some "home-made' 1915 grenades - TNT sticks, wood paddles, wire and fuses and a trench periscope made from basswood with shiny metal strips for mirrors top and bottom. You'll notice that, as in the wartime photo, they've used their rifles to hold up the periscope. (Something leads me to believe these lads were not in the front line.)
Marine 1 – skinny
Blue seaman’s cap with red top knot and white thin chin strap
M1898 double-breasted 8 brass buttons dark blue greatcoat with no pockets, four seamed epaulettes with brass buttons on each shoulder, fold back coat wings
Green handkerchief above collar of great coat
M1886/93 Lebel rifle, three shot clip, bolt action, 8 mm caliber and distinctive thin triangular bayonet in holder
M1892 haversack, greenish grey x 2 removed from each soldier
M1877 one liter water bottle, covered in light grey blue cloth hung up on tree root
M1915 corduroy trousers of pantalon-culotte style, loose in the thigh and tight from the knee down, reddish brown with wide wale cords
Puttees in dark blue
M1912 brown boots
Marine 2 – chubby
Dressed in similar fashion and with same equipment, patterned red and white handkerchief above collar of great coat, M1915 trousers in medium grey, M1877 water bottle in dark blue, putties grey
Hope you like it!
Marc Megroot will be painting it!
All the best,
Dan
In the trench are some "home-made' 1915 grenades - TNT sticks, wood paddles, wire and fuses and a trench periscope made from basswood with shiny metal strips for mirrors top and bottom. You'll notice that, as in the wartime photo, they've used their rifles to hold up the periscope. (Something leads me to believe these lads were not in the front line.)
Marine 1 – skinny
Blue seaman’s cap with red top knot and white thin chin strap
M1898 double-breasted 8 brass buttons dark blue greatcoat with no pockets, four seamed epaulettes with brass buttons on each shoulder, fold back coat wings
Green handkerchief above collar of great coat
M1886/93 Lebel rifle, three shot clip, bolt action, 8 mm caliber and distinctive thin triangular bayonet in holder
M1892 haversack, greenish grey x 2 removed from each soldier
M1877 one liter water bottle, covered in light grey blue cloth hung up on tree root
M1915 corduroy trousers of pantalon-culotte style, loose in the thigh and tight from the knee down, reddish brown with wide wale cords
Puttees in dark blue
M1912 brown boots
Marine 2 – chubby
Dressed in similar fashion and with same equipment, patterned red and white handkerchief above collar of great coat, M1915 trousers in medium grey, M1877 water bottle in dark blue, putties grey
Hope you like it!
Marc Megroot will be painting it!
All the best,
Dan
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