malc
PlanetFigure Supporter
Looks great looking forward to see more.
WIP On The Evening of the Battle of Waterloo
- Thread starter Hot_spur
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fogie
A Fixture
Rooting about earlier on another matter, I found some rather detailed information about 'Berline' carriages in an old Historex catalogue.
Not sure how you're fixed on Historex reference stuff, or indeed whether you're full to the back teeth of it and just want this project to end
( 'Bugger the Berline' to paraphrase King George V ). The bumf shows details of various interior arrangements, optional harnessing, what
the postillions had for dinner, so forth. If you think it might be useful, just shout and I'll send it.
Mike
Not sure how you're fixed on Historex reference stuff, or indeed whether you're full to the back teeth of it and just want this project to end
( 'Bugger the Berline' to paraphrase King George V ). The bumf shows details of various interior arrangements, optional harnessing, what
the postillions had for dinner, so forth. If you think it might be useful, just shout and I'll send it.
Mike
Hot_spur
Member
Hi Mike. I would love too see what you have.
fogie
A Fixture
OK... standby
Hot_spur
Member
Mike these are amazing.
My biggest mistake is that my postilions are not "stout" per your source. Oh well. Too late, I'm not redoing them now. No one but you and I will know.
My biggest mistake is that my postilions are not "stout" per your source. Oh well. Too late, I'm not redoing them now. No one but you and I will know.
fogie
A Fixture
You're welcome...hope they help a bit rather than create extra issues.
By the way, I see from your photos that the postillions are wearing the large 'post' boots and using those oversized stirrup irons.
The explanation for this is that the boots had a heavy iron frame structure, and were actually worn over lightweight shoes.
The idea behind them was to enable the rider to extricate himself in the event of a fall where the horse pinned him to the ground - the boot would support the weight of the horse allow him to free his foot.
Post and courier horses in the French army were often driven to exhaustion. They had just two speeds - the
walk or the gallop (which was actually less tiring for the rider) - the English canter or rising trot was not adopted by the French until 1830 or so.
The stirrup irons were not fixed to the saddle in the conventional way but suspended by a chaplet across the pommel.
Best of all - we can relax a bit because I think the 'stoutness' thing referred to coachmen rather than postillions.
Mike
By the way, I see from your photos that the postillions are wearing the large 'post' boots and using those oversized stirrup irons.
The explanation for this is that the boots had a heavy iron frame structure, and were actually worn over lightweight shoes.
The idea behind them was to enable the rider to extricate himself in the event of a fall where the horse pinned him to the ground - the boot would support the weight of the horse allow him to free his foot.
Post and courier horses in the French army were often driven to exhaustion. They had just two speeds - the
walk or the gallop (which was actually less tiring for the rider) - the English canter or rising trot was not adopted by the French until 1830 or so.
The stirrup irons were not fixed to the saddle in the conventional way but suspended by a chaplet across the pommel.
Best of all - we can relax a bit because I think the 'stoutness' thing referred to coachmen rather than postillions.
Mike
Hot_spur
Member
I could use a little help. I've researched the daylights out of this, and I cannot figure out what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.
In the attached illustration, which postilion (or where) do I lead the indicated reins? (My knowledge of horses could be put in a thimble with space left over.)
In a vehicle with a driver, they would lead to him. But in this case the postilions are the drivers. Is one like the lead, and the other just sort of helps? I feel really out of my depth.
Also, is it safe to assume the furniture crossed out would not be in use at Waterloo? I've assumed they are for parade dress.
In the attached illustration, which postilion (or where) do I lead the indicated reins? (My knowledge of horses could be put in a thimble with space left over.)
In a vehicle with a driver, they would lead to him. But in this case the postilions are the drivers. Is one like the lead, and the other just sort of helps? I feel really out of my depth.
Also, is it safe to assume the furniture crossed out would not be in use at Waterloo? I've assumed they are for parade dress.
fogie
A Fixture
Might have something that could help... give me a bit of time and I'll find it - back 'dreckly'
Mike
Mike
fogie
A Fixture
Right then....this will help a bit ( We must doff our caps to the venerable 'Maitre' Leliepvre again ). Still checking
on the wheeler's reins... I believe they were held by the postillions along with those of their own horse....we'll see.
Mike
on the wheeler's reins... I believe they were held by the postillions along with those of their own horse....we'll see.
Mike
Hot_spur
Member
Thanks very much Mike. These pages are most helpful. What is the title of your source? It looks like a publication I might like to have in my collection.
fogie
A Fixture
They're from an old Historex catalogue. Leliepvre devoted several pages to explain the finer details of uniforms, horses, harnessing,
even roadside marker posts and artillery procedures. It's the sort of thing you keep just in case it comes in useful later - which it has.
Mike
PS.............will you have operational bells on the 'grelottiere'
even roadside marker posts and artillery procedures. It's the sort of thing you keep just in case it comes in useful later - which it has.
Mike
PS.............will you have operational bells on the 'grelottiere'
fogie
A Fixture
Found something that suggests that the 'wheelers' reins were indeed held by the postillion. You'll have noticed that the old boy makes a point
about Greys and Roans being the colour of choice for carriage horses - his picture here reinforces this.
Onwards and upwards...eh?
Mike
about Greys and Roans being the colour of choice for carriage horses - his picture here reinforces this.
Onwards and upwards...eh?
Mike
Hi Guys
I am learning so much from this thread on the carriage and the horses
Cheers
Nap
I am learning so much from this thread on the carriage and the horses
Cheers
Nap
Grod
A Fixture
Great reference material.
Gordon
fogie
A Fixture
Absolutely...the finer details of 'Napoleonics' are fascinating and once you're able to include them in a figure the finished thing looks so much better.
Back in the day when Historex were the thing, we learned quickly that although a lot of the explanation sheets were still in French, everything we
needed to know was shown on Leliepvre's illustrations. Nonetheless, unless you were totally au fait with the French army, there were things - especially
horse harnessing - that remained confusing. So the early catalogues with all their extra bumf were no end useful. I'm glad that I've kept them and they're
still proving useful.
Mike
Back in the day when Historex were the thing, we learned quickly that although a lot of the explanation sheets were still in French, everything we
needed to know was shown on Leliepvre's illustrations. Nonetheless, unless you were totally au fait with the French army, there were things - especially
horse harnessing - that remained confusing. So the early catalogues with all their extra bumf were no end useful. I'm glad that I've kept them and they're
still proving useful.
Mike
Hot_spur
Member
Mike, this has been so helpful.
I've decided to include the grelottieres and fox tails. I've seen loads of artwork showing them in use even on campaign. But, will they jingle? Probably not.
LOL - The more I learn, the longer my project will take.
I've decided to include the grelottieres and fox tails. I've seen loads of artwork showing them in use even on campaign. But, will they jingle? Probably not.
LOL - The more I learn, the longer my project will take.
fogie
A Fixture
It's a bit like having your own Golden Gate Bridge to paint....right ?
Wayneb
A Fixture
Impressive...….If it's worth doing....It's worth doing right...…..
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