Uniform Descriptions- French Napoleonic Scouts/Guides

[Ray Stout]

I can remember a time that whenever you bought a figure, you also got notes and sometime a brief history ofthe figure. No-one seems to bother these days, probably because there;s so much more information about now- BUT, every now and then, an anomaly crops up, e.g. Napoleonic French Guides/Scouts. Fortunately, I do know a little about them, like their uniforms did not follow typical styles of the times, in fact, they suffered from friendly fire more times than any other unit. I have checked my usual reference sources but still cant find any illustrations or detailed descriptions of them. Help please. Ray Stout

 

[arj]

Is this of any use to you Ray?

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Steve headley]

Hi Ray

Hope these photos help you, sorry about the lack of a paint sheet my fault I forgot to put it in with the kit. But as you say the internet is a good place to start.

The figure has gone off for painting so it will have box art and I will remember to put the instructions in.

Happy painting

Steve

TFB Miniatures Team

 

[Ian Pen]

Hi Ray, I have no information I can send you, but I know Osprey did a book.

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/napoleons-scouts-of-the-imperial-guard-9781841769561/

Hope it helps.

 

[Nap]

Hi Ray

As you say plenty of info out there in google land , good refs above , if there's something specific ask away

Perhaps Steve could post the paint sheet here as well

Look forward to seeing your version

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Steve headley]

Hi nap, the sheet is based on the plates I posted up. But from what a couple of customers has said the possibility to make a different Regt is something to look at. I think it’s just different facing colours maybe? I’m sure the Napoleonic buffs will have a much better idea.

Steve

TFB Miniatures Team

 

[Ray Stout]

Many Thanks for all your contributions and answers . I have more than enough info now although, there is some debate as to the colour of the saddle Blanket. Ray

 

[NigelR]

Hi nap, the sheet is based on the plates I posted up. But from what a couple of customers has said the possibility to make a different Regt is something to look at. I think it’s just different facing colours maybe? I’m sure the Napoleonic buffs will have a much better idea.

There were three regiments of Eclaireurs and each had quite different uniforms, much more than a facing colour change (these are shown in the plate that Andrew posted). Your (very nice) figure is clearly intended to represent the second regiment. However, with some conversion work it could be used to represent the Young Guard squadrons of the first regiment who wore a similar jacket but had a different shako. IMO it's not worth the effort........

 

[Luis R.]

The three Scout Regiments wore very different uniforms. The 1st Rgt wore dark green hussard style pellisses and regular shakos, the 2nd Rgt wore the unique crimsom-faced dark green uniform shown on the plates above, along with a tall shako rouleau and the 3rd rgt wore dark blue Polish-style lancer uniform and shapzka, so no possibility to change regiment by simply painting different facing colors.

AFAIK, men in all three regiments used plain gray blankets under light English-style saddles with no shabraques.

 

[Steve headley]

Thanks Luis ,NigelR I did say the Napoleonic buffs would help with the other regiments. It was kind of you both to explain. Well he was done as the 2nd so he shall stay.

The others do look interesting too.

Hi Ray glad to be of help it was an over site on the paint guide but it has worked out in the end. Happy painting .

Steve

TFB Miniatures Team

 

[NigelR]

The three Scout Regiments wore very different uniforms. The 1st Rgt wore dark green hussard style pellisses and regular shakos, the 2nd Rgt wore the unique crimsom-faced dark green uniform shown on the plates above, along with a tall shako rouleau and the 3rd rgt wore dark blue Polish-style lancer uniform and shapzka, so no possibility to change regiment by simply painting different facing colors.

AFAIK, men in all three regiments used plain gray blankets under light English-style saddles with no shabraques.

Not quite correct - the Young Guard squadrons of the 1st Regiment were equipped as line Chasseurs and wore Kinski-style jackets. There is an original example still in existence (there is a photograph in Paul L Dawson's book on Guard Cavalry). Like I said above, you could convert the figure by changing the shako (and possibly some other bits and pieces) but I cannot see why you would bother.....

Who said Napoleonic buffs are nitpickers........

 

[Luis R.]

Not quite correct - the Young Guard squadrons of the 1st Regiment were equipped as line Chasseurs and wore Kinski-style jackets. There is an original example still in existence (there is a photograph in Paul L Dawson's book on Guard Cavalry). Like I said above, you could convert the figure by changing the shako (and possibly some other bits and pieces) but I cannot see why you would bother.....

Who said Napoleonic buffs are nitpickers........

You are right, Nigel, I had forgotten about the Young Guard squadrons of the 1st Rgt.

 

[Nap]

Great response for information....this is what PF is all about ......

And "HAVING FUN @ THE BENCH"

Nap

 

[arj]

I found a 74 page pdf titled "Les Eclaireurs de la Garde Impériale 1813 - 1814"
It's in French, has quite a bit of the history, but also has a lot of information on the uniforms etc.
http://www.assosehri.fr/bibliothequemili/les-eclaireurs-de-la-garde-imp-riale-1813-1814.pdf

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Ray Stout]

WOW! no wonder they were shot at first sight. Years ago (1980s) I did a foot figure of the 2nd. Regt. looking at a musket ball hole in nghis shako. It was 90mm and it;s title was French Napoleonic Guide. but I had no idea he was from the 2nd. Regt. nice fiure though. The company was American, and, apart from Historex, this was the only kit available. Having 3 Regts dressed so differently from each other must be very confusing and still is today. ray