New Saxon Army 1866

[mollinary]

Well, it can be put off no longer.  As John Dz and I move on to fighting the scenarios for our upcoming (we hope!) book on Koniggratz, I need to revisit my Saxons. It is not so much I don't like the existing ones (althought they are the old sculpts with the can-can horses) it is just there are not enough of them. They are battalions of 16 men and an officer, and I will need to go up to 48 man battalions and 6 man squadrons!  So that is not far shy of a thousand figures, 16 infantry battalions and 4 Jagers.  My question to the forum is, what are the best figures to use for these from those that have been re sculpted in the last few years? I was thinking maybe some of the Schleswig range might do the cavalry,  and maybe some of the infantry too? Also, I know the FPW German figures in peaked soft cap probably work for the infantry as well?  Any choices for gunners, horse and foot?   All suggestions gratefully received, particularly if accompanied by photos!   Many thanks in advance,

Mollinary 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

I used Bavarian artillery with horse Artilleryman crew for 12 pounders.

May I suggest soft capped Prussians for infantry, but again, only two varieties.
Cavalry is more of an issue...

[mollinary]

Thanks ML,

I can see the Bavarian  Artillery as Saxon Horse Artillery, not sure if there are any peaked cap wearing choices in other ranges. I note the Bavarian 1860s range has infantry in cap and tunic, would that do?  Does anyone know if it contains command?  I need drummers, officers and standard bearers (no moulded flags) with the soft peaked cap.  The figures you refer to as soft capped Prussians, if they are the ones with a peak, were intended to be Saxons in their equivalent of the feldmutz. I seem t recall they have a single belly cartridge box, so would do for 1866. But I am always looking for variety!

Mollinary

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

The foot command and the foot artillery are actually both later molds by the looks of it. You can request no flags, I didn't for mine, but I know they are about.

[mollinary]

Sadly, if you look in the line code, the officer is depicted in shako, and I am not convinced these were ever worn in the field (although I would be happy to hear any evidence that they were!). I agree that the foot artilleryman are not bad figures, and i might go with them if there are nit any better alternates.

Mollinary

[Leman]

What about using the Bavarians in soft peaked cap. A very light filing would remove the shoulder rolls.

[mollinary]

What about using the Bavarians in soft peaked cap. A very light filing would remove the shoulder rolls.

DP, good suggestion. Has anyone any photos of these figures?  How do they differ from the men in peaked cap in the FPW range?  Are they new-ish sculpts? I have always loved the Saxons for this war, and I really want them to stand out.

Mollinary


PS i think I am becoming a God.... Well, a Brigadier anyway, and how much closer can you get?    

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Congratulations on the promotion my dear sir.

[mollinary]

Congratulations on the promotion my dear sir.

Obviously a lot closer, General, Sir!   

Mollinary

[Techno]

And congratulations from me, as well, old boy ! 
Cheers - Phil

[Leman]

Re. Bavarian in peaked cap. There are two poses:

a) marching with shouldered rifle, full pack and rolled greatcoat over left shoulder, trousers tucked into boots (IMO a nicer figure than the marching Prussian in feldmutze);

b) advancing with forward pointing bayoneted rifle, full pack, rolled greatcoat over left shoulder, trousers tucked into boots.

On both figures only the right shoulder roll is visible and it is not that big. The sculpts are in line with the ones that appeared for the Brunswickers and the Prussian and French line skirmishers, i.e. later figures. Unfortunately the included standard bearer and officer are in Bavarian raupenhelm, but at least there is now a Saxon command pack available.

[mollinary]

My first go at this, in addition to those actually in the Saxon line, are as follows:

Line infantry and Jaegers.  SHD4, BA7, PPW24, and possibly SHD2, which I haven't seen.  SHD 4 is an almost perfect macth, with backpack and roll, and belly cartrideg case.

Reiters. SHD. 8. Helmet may be a bit tall, but not overly so. Horse furniture is closer (because it is non descript) than the stuff on the old Saxon Reiter figures.  Don' t know of any other cavalry figures in that soft cap. Anything in the South American Pacific War range?

Artillery.  Guns are easy from the FPW range, and then 12pdrs from the Bavarian range. Horse gunners, BA10, plus limber
Foot gunners. Not sure whether the SHD11 and 17 would be suitable.  I think they are wearing the soft cap with peak.

Once again, grateful for views on the above, or other options I may hvae missed.

Mollinary

[Chad]

I had some of the Schleswig command figures modified to remove tailcoats and use them as generic 1866 command for my German States. They are in peaked caps.

They are not on the website however. Leon?

Chad

[mollinary]

Chad, that sounds just what I need. i think the other new codes will do the rankers pretty well.

Mollinary

[mollinary]

Hoping that he had a lovely time at Crisis 2014, is there a Leon around somewhere to provide definitive answers on all this?    

Mollinary