Gribeauval Canon

[megroot]

Hello Guys,

I have a full 54 mm Gribeauval canon.
It is awesome.
Now, i wanted to make a little diorama with the full equipment and gunners etc in the right place. I have looked at the Internet (google search0 and i find alot of information but not the below specific info i need.
My questions: What firm produce the gunners and his officers
If not available, what kind off figures can be converted.
What are the right colors for the canon.

I hope you guys can help me out.

Marc

 

[Einion]

This is a Napoleonic field piece isn't it? So I think the gun itself is polished brass or bronze and the woodwork would be French Artillery Green. Although I've seen re-enactment pieces that weren't really olive-green that's the colour it's supposed to be apparently:

According to "French Napoleonic Artillery" by Michael Head (Almark, 1977, p.9), French guns and limbers were painted olive green, a color that was obtained, it says, "by using a mixture of yellow ochre and black in the ratio of approximately 80:1."

The paint dried with a slight gloss.

Other metal components were painted black. This was likely quite glossy.

Einion

 

[megroot]

Thanks Einion.
yes, it is a field gun. Any idea about the gunners ...

Marc

 

[Einion]

Any idea about the gunners ...

'Fraid not Marc - not my period.

Einion

 

[megroot]

I know, but maybe i had a change.

marc

 

[Marcel]

Metal models has a French horse artilleryman and a Officer and also a Artillery Corporal and Officer, Pegaso has an Officer of the Guard Artillery, Nemrod has several like Captain and Adjutant at Wagram Guard Artillery. Maybe Nemrod is the most useful for you.

Marcel.

 

[megroot]

Thanks Marcel,
Gonna look after the Nemrod kits.

Marc

 

[Ulrich]

Hi Mark

or you buy "Historex"-Figures like that http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=30301

Ok it is plastic but not so bad.

Ulrich

 

[megroot]

Thanks Ulrich,
How many figures are there in the box. €70 for plastic figures is alot of money.
Marc

 

[je_touche]

How many figures are there in the box. €70 for plastic figures is alot of money.
Marc[/QUOTE]

There should be all you can see on the box: a mounted officer, a drummer, a gun team of five, and a horse team with rider and limber (though four to six horses with two or three riders would me more adequate to draw an 8-pounder gun). But there is also the gun itself. Instead, you could order just the single artillerymen. Be aware, Historex figurines are difficult to make them look good.

Actually, I don't like the gun model on the photo if it is the one you have got. Just have a look at the handles on the gun barrel, they should come off free from the barrel but they seem to be moulded straight on. You might want to improve the model by replacing them with ones made from wire. Also, the way the rammer is fixed to the carriage does not seem quite right to me. The wheels lack all detailing (nail heads) on the iron bands around. You might also want to add some chains, a bucket, and other artillery accoutrements.

Also, take care what scale the gun is in. If it is 'true' 54 mm scale (meaning 1/32), Historex gunners will be too tall for the model.

If you are looking for scale drawings of the Gribeauval system you can find them here:

http://www.memorandum.ru/Photos/Gribeauval/index.php

Good luck with the model. A good artillery model is an awful lot of work.

 

[megroot]

Thanks alot Je Touche.
The picture doesn't do much right on the model of the canon. the handles are not moulded on, there is a chain, and the nail heads are visible. The iron band on the wheels is also there.
No, there is not much wrong with this canon.
Thanks for the link. I gonna look very close to the Gribeauval pictures and gonna proof the canon where it is needed.

There are to much figures in the box. I don't need them all, just the guys who are really working with the canon....

Marc

 

[IIICorps]

Any generic Napoleonic French (or allies of the French) artillery figrues will work. Osprey has a nice reference on Naploeonic artillery which includes a listing of accepted colors.

 

[megroot]

Thanks Michael.
Is the Osprey Napoleons Artillery a good reference

Marc

 

[IIICorps]

...Is the Osprey Napoleons Artillery a good reference...

As a whole, the Osprey series is fairly good. I have several volumes and like them. Essentially, they're cheap.