I was going through the dead lead box and found these fellows... sadly they lack back packs and cartridge boxes. But I thought they would be perfect for a group of French conscripts circa 1813 to 1814 or Marie Louises as the old Grognards called them.
I wanted the troops to look warn and dirty and my wash came through they look much like they have been tramping down muddy roads and across sodden fields for days.
I left a space on the right centre base as I hope to get an officer or color bearer to finish out the unit. the stands on the wings have three men each in a triangle. I find this approach gives a unit a slightly ragged look.
From the back I had to sort of paint around the lack of back packs and boxes but I think I managed we can assume these men are carrying rounds in pockets due to a shortage of equipment. I like having some ragged troops in my Army and these certainly fit. I am now officially 100% out of Napoleonic troops! Nice to have that project complete especially as 28mm Nappy was not a road I really wanted to explore but some times you just got to go with the club.
There are 13 men here worth 5 points each for 65 points.
All told I think I netted around 165 points, not quite a bomb by some standard, but at least its not another spit-wad. I'll need a few more such to get me back on track to hit my final goal.
From Curt:
Well done Adam! You've had an impressively productive week - it's nice to see the Challenge burning through the lead (and plastic) reserves.
No cartridge boxes!? Now that is dire straights indeed. (Though I remember reading of one of the Marshals (Ney perhaps) coming across some young conscripts who possessed all the bravery of Achilles, but did not know how to load their muskets as they were so fresh from the depots.) This being said I'm sure these young Poilu are ready to see the Prussians (and Russians, and British, and Austrians, etc.) off French soil.
'Attaque a outrance!'
I really like your idea of painting these up without the missing bits - far better than languishing in lead purgatory forever! Very nice job on giving them a narrative and making the paint job match.
ReplyDeleteMy feeling as well. If i find some back packs and or cartridge boxes latter I can always paint them and add them to the figures.
DeleteI'll second that! They'll probably perform like legends on the table and become a favourite.
DeleteThese are very nice and I think the lack of equipment will make them interesting on the table
ReplyDeleteIan
Thank you.
Delete*Yeah sometimes you have to go with the club but I will try not to as I have been frustrated that way before with people not pulling anywhere near an equal weight. Seriously hard to get a couple of my club members to paint anything at all. Continues to Rant for another 35 minutes on the subject!*
ReplyDeleteHowever back to the figures I was surprised to see so many different colour coats but knowing nothing about Napoleonic's I am happy to see them. I do like the 3 figures on the wings as you say it does make them look more ragged that's a nice tip I may well steal as it will be a couple of figures I don't need to paint. Great tip mate. Thanks.
too be fair to Boston Trained Band they all more than covered their end of things and we have had several huge battles at conventions with every ones work.
DeleteThe different colored coats that is a bit speculative on my part. I know French over coats were blue but they captured lots of them over the years and also used them. I figured this was in keeping with the spirit of hastily raised and ill equipped troops.
Nicely painted Adam :)
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteNice figures Adam, the lack of equipment is spot on for 1814. Curt is right, most new recruits didn't even know how to fire their muskets as Marshall Marmont found at the battle of Champaubert when he asked some recruits why they were facing enemy fire without firing back. One even asked him if he could load the muskets whilst they fired them.
ReplyDeleteI know of several occasions were the Continental army went into battle without proper cartridge boxes. I don't know if the French of 1823/14 did too but it seemed reasonable that some might have. I too have heard stories of new French troops who went into battle with only the vaguest idea which end of the musket pointed at the enemy and these inspired me when painting these boys.
DeleteAh, give that man a prize! It was Marshal Marmont at Champaubert, excellent. That will keep me from mulling it over in my mind!
DeleteOn a roll. Great to see the varied output.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteToujours a l'outrance! Very well done.
ReplyDeleteThe worn and dirty look turned out perfect on these guys. Congratulations on getting all your Napoleonics completed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anne I am please to be "done" with that project. I might add an artillery piece at some point but who knows.
DeleteNice ragged looking bunch! The trio does work very well in showing a novice unit, the others fell out on the way! ;) I too like the varied coats and trousers.
ReplyDeleteThey look very much the part of" take this, hold this, and march that way!" ;)
Yeah I discovered the technique when paining American Civil War units and I have started using it more often since.
DeleteNice work. I find dirty troops more appealing than clean ones on the tabletop.
ReplyDeletecheers
In general I do too, I try to dirty my men up. I usually try to go for a look that says dirty but squared away if that makes sense... these guys a bit more dirty and a bit less squared away than is typical of me.
DeleteGood use of these figures :)
ReplyDelete