15mm AWI French. Can they be used for SYW

[sdennan]

Hi Everyone

i like the look of the PP AWI French and was wondering if they would do service as SYW French?

Simon

[Leman]

Unfortunately the PP website has changed and currently is not carrying images of the French referred to. However, from my knowledge of the two periods I would say not really. The uniform the French started with in 1756 was a heavier, more voluminous and full skirted coat than that in the AWI. Further, the French SYW tricorn was very pronounced at the front in 1756, whereas by the late 1770s it had become flatter at the front. The French did start to turn back the skirts of the coat later in the SYW. Lapels were not turned back until 1762, so to be honest I would not use them for SYW. It would be similar to using WWII British for WWI.

[clibinarium]

Depends how strict you are. I would say no personally, but not everyone would. An idea of the difference;

1758


1781


The coat is more voluminous in the SYW, with  skirts turned back towards the later part of the war, and there's less standardization generally. After the defeats of the SYW the French army embarks on "prusianisation", even copying the cut of the uniforms, so lapels and small cuffs become almost universal, and there's a system of differentiating regiments with various combinations of style and colour. Backpacks are another major difference, plus the arrangement of belts and bayonets differentiate the fusileers from the elite companies.

[sdennan]

Thanks guys