French Zouvae Question 1840-1841

[Mike Stevens]

Hi All,

I need a little help. I have an FM Benito Figure MV/9; Suboficial Frances de Zouves, 1840-1841.

The Box Art and Instructions Show a Green Tunic and Green Stripes on Red Trousers. I have painted according to the Box Art and Have a Plate from (Uniforms and Regimental Regalia: The Vinkhuijzen Collection of Military Costume Illustration) showing Green Uniforms. Please review the plate and my figure and let me know if I'm on track or completely off!

Did they have Green Uniforms? Is the green supposed to be a Grass Green or Dark green like the box Art?

Thanks, for the help

 

[btavis]

If you are trying to match the color in the prints then yours is a cool green. The illustration is a warm green meaning it is tending to olive. Mix yellow ocher and black to get an olive color. If it is too yellow mix a little medium blue but not a lot. You may need to add a little white to brighten it but also not a lot. Experiment.

 

[billyturnip]

Mike, at first glance I think what have been described as Zouaves are in fact Tiralleurs. Zouaves wore blue uniforms.

I will check out my theory and get back to you with some references.

Roger.

 

[billyturnip]

I have this so far;

http://www.grosser-generalstab.de/lh/lh3/lh3_57.html

I don't think the green uniform was worn for long before it was changed to blue and I'm sure by the time of the Crimean War they were in blue.. It looks to me like the title Beneito have given the figure is incorrect, it should be Suboficial Frances de Tiralleurs Algerien, 1840-1841 and then the green uniform would be correct.

Roger.

 

[eissteban]

Hi Michael,
Roger is right, the figure is a zouve and your picture represent a Tirailleur Algérien.

Look at the officer in back , he 's wearing a casquette, the zouave officer wear a kepi. The tunique is the same but without épaulettes on shoulder.

 

[billyturnip]

Thanks for stepping in Seb.

So just to clarify, the figure should be painted in the blue uniform of a Zouave, is that correct?

Roger.

 

[eissteban]

For me yes.

The green was used during a brief period by the 2nd french foreign legion

 

[Mike Stevens]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the opinions and history lesson! So should the figure be painted in the sky blue or Dark blue? I have also found an obscure referenence that states officers of the Zouve may have worn a Black Tunic with brass buttons and gold braid. Would this also be a correct?

 

[billyturnip]

Mike,
This might help;

http://military-photos.com/afrique.htm

I know of the black tunic for officers but I'm not sure when it was introduced. I'll keep looking.

Roger.

 

[Mike Stevens]

Roger and Seb,

It looks like this figure is closer to Chasseurs d'Afrique http://military-photos.com/afrique.htm

Would the Kepi be appropriate in that case?

 

[billyturnip]

I don't think so, I've only seen photo's & illustrations of Chasseurs d' Afrique wearing the casquette. Let's wait and see what Seb says, he knows more on the subject than me.... and he can read French better

Roger.

 

[jcichon]

Dude you can't go wrong with Roger! I use him for most any question I have!

 

[billyturnip]

Thanks Jason, as you know I don't know all the answers but have a fair idea where to look and enjoy doing the research.

Mike, personally I would paint the figure in the blue Zouave uniform. Let us know how you get on.

Roger.