It's been a while since we've previewed any new masters, so here's a few to keep everyone going for a while!
This batch of Nap French cavalry includes the Chevau-Leger Lancers:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8414/8963209403_8b1989b09e.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pendraken/8963209403/)
And the Guard Grenadiers a Cheval:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5444/8963208369_dc38844503.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pendraken/8963208369/)
8)
those lancers will look nice cutting down some austrians
Nom! Nom! Nom!
Loving those lancers. Though may I propose one small adjustment? the pennon on the 2nd from left looks a little stiff.
Very, very nice. Did you know that the lancers were supposed to have been cuirassiers, but they couldn't find big enough horses for them? True!
Looking very nice,
kev
Very nice indeed 8)
Splendid
Quote from: Nav on 06 June 2013, 06:08:57 AM
those lancers will look nice cutting down some austrians
Yes, but not in 1809. The French Line Chevauleger Lancers were introduced later.
The Guard Grenadiers look splendid. But it's a shame they have their hat cords across the front of the busbies. Should be draped over the top of the busby.
how do you know i dont mean cutting down leipzig austrians WeeWars
The lancers should come in handy too for Spain once the English make their appearance (hint, hint)
Quote from: quasar42 on 08 June 2013, 07:16:10 PM
The lancers should come in handy too for Spain once the English make their appearance (hint, hint)
Surely you mean British? O:-)
Quote from: Nav on 08 June 2013, 06:17:11 PM
how do you know i dont mean cutting down leipzig austrians WeeWars
I don't, that's why I said 'Yes'. :) Yes, but not in 1809. The fact is that the lancers were heading for the 1809 Range until someone pointed out that the French didn't have any lancers in 1809. So they must trot off and start another Napoleonic French range.
On the other hand, the red lancers of the guard were at Wagram, but they had a different uniform. So hopefully they make an appearance too now that the guard cavalry is being designed.
Quote from: quasar42 on 09 June 2013, 07:01:34 AM
On the other hand, the red lancers of the guard were at Wagram, but they had a different uniform. So hopefully they make an appearance too now that the guard cavalry is being designed.
Your talking about the 3rd Dutch Lancers and I think your incorrect anyways use the Austrian Uhlans in the range spot on to use.
Cheers Rex
Quote from: WeeWars on 09 June 2013, 12:29:57 AM
I don't, that's why I said 'Yes'. :) Yes, but not in 1809. The fact is that the lancers were heading for the 1809 Range until someone pointed out that the French didn't have any lancers in 1809. So they must trot off and start another Napoleonic French range.
Actually, they had several regiments of lancers, including those of the Guard, of Berg and the Legion of the Vistula. Different uniforms, of course.
You gotta love Nappy fans - TMP Napoleonic board is alive and well on Pendraken forum (pssst, don't mention the bricole). I need more popcorn ;D
As we expand the Napoleonic ranges, we'll be dropping the '1809' designation on the website I think, otherwise we'll end up relisting things which can be used in a new range, or having arguments over whether one code is enough or if it should be moved to a different range, etc. If necessary, we can add rough timelines to the codes to indicate which period that can be used for.
Quote from: rexhurley on 09 June 2013, 10:29:57 AM
Your talking about the 3rd Dutch Lancers and I think your incorrect.
Cheers Rex
Ah yes. It was the first regiment of chevaux legers of the garde (Polish lancers) that fought at Wagram and they seem not to have had lances at that time. Will need to find another excuse to paint the red lancers.
Quote from: Leon on 09 June 2013, 05:30:59 PM
(...) If necessary, we can add rough timelines to the codes to indicate which period that can be used for.
Hello
That's a great idea.
Quote from: Leon on 09 June 2013, 05:30:59 PM
If necessary, we can add rough timelines to the codes to indicate which period that can be used for.
That seems like a good plan. :)
Quote from: quasar42 on 09 June 2013, 06:30:41 PM
Ah yes. It was the first regiment of chevaux legers of the garde (Polish lancers) that fought at Wagram and they seem not to have had lances at that time.
That's correct. :) The Polish light cavalry of the Guard snatched lances from Austrian uhlans in the pursuit after Wagram. In 1809, but after hostilities, they changed their uniforms to accommodate the new weapon and became the first lancers in the French army. All other Guard and Line lancer regiments date from 1810+.
The Lancers of Berg (also part of the Guard) received their lances "in late 1809" according to von Pivka. The same author also states that the Lancers of the Vistula were already in existence in 1807 when the army of the Duchy of Warsaw was incorporated into the French army.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 10 June 2013, 08:28:50 AM
Lancers of the Vistula were already in existence in 1807 when the army of the Duchy of Warsaw was incorporated into the French army.
Vistula lancers were never part of army of Duchy of Warsaw nor this army was ever incorporated into the French army.
The origins of regiment can be traced in 1799. They were formed as part of Polish Legion in Italy (on Cisalpine republic's pay). Then it entered French army, later Italian, finally Neapolitan.
In 1807 it entered French service again and was attached to so called new Polish Legion - regiments formed from Polish deserters from Prussian service reinforced by Polish recruits, but on French pay, and destined to serve with French army.
Eventually Polish Legion was renamed Vistula Legion and under this name immortalized due to its deeds during Penninsula campaign.
Quote from: WeeWars on 08 June 2013, 01:58:29 PM
The Guard Grenadiers look splendid. But it's a shame they have their hat cords across the front of the busbies. Should be draped over the top of the busby.
I agree, bit of a disappointment. Can it be tweeked Leon?
I can understand how this has happened as everything I have found which describes the Gr-a-Ch uniform says the bearskin is like the foot grenadiers, which clearly it isn't. All the pictorial evidence shows that where cords are worn they either pass behind the plume or if in front come over the centre of the top of the bearskin.
ie http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/organization/frenchguard/sthilaire/c_sthilaire4.html (http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/organization/frenchguard/sthilaire/c_sthilaire4.html)
WeeWars, do you have a reference other than pictoral?
Cheers, Rob :)
Quote from: Rob on 18 June 2013, 06:49:16 PM
WeeWars, do you have a reference other than pictoral?
"The two paintings together give a clear view of the straightforward arrangement of the single orange cap cord, which was braided for half its length then narrowed to a single strand ending in the free-floating raquettes. The braided end was anchored near the bottom of the left side of the cap and the middle of the cord was attached to the cap again just above the backpatch, at which juncture a separate tassel was also added."
Guy C. Dempsey on paintings from Otto Manuscript
The bearskin "was adorned with a fixed tassel of aurore-coloured wool placed high on the crown and falling towards the rear of the headdress; in addition, two laces, one placed close to the boss of the left chinstrap, the other high and to the right of the crown, served to secure the cord, which was held in place on the crown by the turning back on itself of the tassel cord.
This cord, made from aurore-coloured wool and plaited along half its length, was terminated at the end of the unplaited portion by a raquette and tassel. Often the upper lace was left untied, so that the raquette hung down at the rear; it is in this manner that the head-dress is most often represented."
Lucien Rousselot
A Martinet print shows a Grenadier à Cheval officer with cords across the front of his bearskin, print of 'other ranks' not so. So the Pendraken officer could remain as is. As for the others, as I only need a few figures, I plan to put right the few I need.
Quote from: WeeWars on 19 June 2013, 11:43:39 AM
A Martinet print shows a Grenadier à Cheval officer with cords across the front of his bearskin, print of 'other ranks' not so. So the Pendraken officer could remain as is. As for the others, as I only need a few figures, I plan to put right the few I need.
Thanks for the refs Michael. There are also Funken, Bellange and Knotel pictures with the cord over the front of the beaskin. However they are from over the crown via a fixing in the centre, and not from the plume at the bearskin right side as depicted on the figures.
I dont know how difficult it would be to fix this sort of thing at this stage. I seem to remember a foot loading figure that was rejected at this stage, it seems years ago now, never to return, so perhaps we should just accept these minor things as the current figures are far far better than no figures.
Cheers Rob :-[
Quote from: Leon on 09 June 2013, 05:30:59 PM
As we expand the Napoleonic ranges, we'll be dropping the '1809' designation on the website I think, otherwise we'll end up relisting things which can be used in a new range, or having arguments over whether one code is enough or if it should be moved to a different range, etc. If necessary, we can add rough timelines to the codes to indicate which period that can be used for.
This would be sensible, and leave you with a bit of wriggle room with certain troops types. This gave me an idea that may be useful. Expand the description of the figures to give newcomers a guide of when and where historically they were used.
For example:
"NPF1
Line/Fusiliers, march attack
With shako and long tailed jacket as used by the French from 1807/8 through to 1812 in Northern Europe and 1814 in Spain.
These figures are also suitable for use as Napoleon's Italian line infantry."
It would keep the forumn active too as I'm certain there would no shortage of knowledgeble people volunteering the descriptions for you.
Cheers, Rob :)
Quote from: Rob on 23 June 2013, 02:53:22 PM
This would be sensible, and leave you with a bit of wriggle room with certain troops types. This gave me an idea that may be useful. Expand the description of the figures to give newcomers a guide of when and where historically they were used.
For example:
"NPF1
Line/Fusiliers, march attack
With shako and long tailed jacket as used by the French from 1807/8 through to 1812 in Northern Europe and 1814 in Spain.
These figures are also suitable for use as Napoleon's Italian line infantry."
It would keep the forumn active too as I'm certain there would no shortage of knowledgeble people volunteering the descriptions for you.
Cheers, Rob :)
You'll need a much bigger catalogue though - especiallly as the audience will want the same for all the other periods.
Quote from: Rob on 23 June 2013, 02:23:05 PM
I seem to remember a foot loading figure that was rejected at this stage, it seems years ago now, never to return,
I'm sure I spotted him in the American Civil War range!
(http://www.pendraken.co.uk/ProductImages/ACW3.JPG)
Quote from: Hertsblue on 24 June 2013, 09:05:24 AM
You'll need a much bigger catalogue though - especiallly as the audience will want the same for all the other periods.
I dont see why you would need a bigger catlg, there is plenty of space on the display page. Why would you need to do every range? The "customers" could provide the text (it would be fun) and also QA the results.
Quote from: WeeWars on 24 June 2013, 11:23:04 AM
I'm sure I spotted him in the American Civil War range!
Bring him back to the Napoleonic range! At the time there was some argument about the position of the musket, if I remember well. Far better to have a loader with a questionable musket position than no loader at all.
Quote from: Rob on 25 June 2013, 03:47:19 PM
I dont see why you would need a bigger catlg, there is plenty of space on the display page. Why would you need to do every range? The "customers" could provide the text (it would be fun) and also QA the results.
Adding an average of three lines to each entry would triple the number of pages required for the Napoleonics section.
Adding descriptions to other periods would be as helpful to potential customers as they would be to Napoleonics buyers. Why should Napoleonics be the only recepient? Or put it another way, if you do one you have to do them all. Your fifty-page catalogue then becomes one hundred and fifty pages long.
Quote from: WeeWars on 24 June 2013, 11:23:04 AM
I'm sure I spotted him in the American Civil War range!
Ah Ha! Is it the same scupltor?
If that is the case does that mean we are are more likly to be succesful if we request a pose from one range that is not in the other? Such as the cavalry with carbine as mounted skirmishers?
:)
Quote from: Rob on 26 June 2013, 12:37:43 PM
Ah Ha! Is it the same scupltor?
Yes. Spot the difference:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4760276617_4325b1e69d.jpg)
Quote from: Hertsblue on 26 June 2013, 11:48:15 AM
Adding an average of three lines to each entry would triple the number of pages required for the Napoleonics section.
Adding descriptions to other periods would be as helpful to potential customers as they would be to Napoleonics buyers. Why should Napoleonics be the only recepient? Or put it another way, if you do one you have to do them all. Your fifty-page catalogue then becomes one hundred and fifty pages long.
Woh! Lots of negative vibes Ray!
Not sure why we are having this conversation as it is only we 2. :) The idea seems to have absolutely no interest elsewhere as it has been resoundingly ignored :o :) therefore anything we are saying is moot.
I think we may be at cross purposes as I suspect you are describing the catalogue that Leon emails to us, where as, I am referring to the website descriptions of the figures.
What was in my mind was to assist potential buyers and casual browsers to see a wider employment of what initially might seem a restricted time or geographic range or vice-versa to show there are some historical restrictions they may want to take account of.
Other examples would be the 1809 French Guard Chevauleger armed only with a sword which can be used in an 1810-15 Guard Chevauleger-Lancier unit as a rear rank figure,
Or,
As a vice-versa "Becker's" AFVs that had a combat history restricted to 6th June '44 to the end of August '44 and geographically to Normandy as part of the fascinating 21st Panzer.
This is all part of my personal crusade to block the club "pain-in-the-A***" from uttering (in his sqeaky no-it-all voice) "You do realise of course....." :'(
Cheers, Rob :D
Perhaps an alternative option would be to open one or more threads in a relevant place of forum for alternative uses of figures? For the online catalog pictures seem the more pressing priority (although the Nap range is doing pretty well on that front)
Just to chime in on the extra info discussion, for the printed catalogue, a simple date range would have to be it I'd think, as we don't have the space in the catalogue. So it'd be the code, description, and then (1809-1915), etc. On the website, we can add more info, but I think there is a character limit which I'd have to check on.
8)
Leon.
If your idea of a holiday is posting on this forum, then you're even sadder than I am.
Go and watch a sunset, enjoy a meal out with your family, paddle in the ocean. The world will not collapse if you leave us to our own devices for a week. Well, I'm reasonably sure the world won't end if you leave us to our own devices for a week. Say 85%?
Take a proper break man, and leave the forum alone. Then when you come back refreshed and reinvigorated, you can get the Centurion in the catalogue.
<Centurion now placed one shelf higher in the casting dungeon>
I haven't gone yet unfortunately! We fly on Saturday afternoon, so you'll have to put up with me for a little longe.
:D
On the subject of 1809 sculpts that got away, I bumped into this pic in a 2010 post on another forum.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5187781894_801d5fa8fc.jpg)
Goes with:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5187179325_16d2692aa2.jpg)
I wonder what the two seated figures are supposed to be riding. :-\ Or are they just good friends. :)
Quote from: Rob on 04 July 2013, 11:59:10 AM
I wonder what the two seated figures are supposed to be riding. :-\ Or are they just good friends. :)
They would go on the limber/caisson
Looks like they are on a space hopper :D.
Quote from: Steve J on 04 July 2013, 12:42:39 PM
Looks like they are on a space hopper :D.
when will the sculptors ever get this right!...It is obviously an 1812 space hopper while the troops are 1809!...I despair
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Come on, get is right, 1812 Winter issue space hopper!
Quote from: Fenton on 04 July 2013, 01:06:33 PM
when will the sculptors ever get this right!...It is obviously an 1812 space hopper while the troops are 1809!...I despair
While Fenton appears right, I believe you'll find that that the 1812 space hopper. which from my extensive research was manufactured in an orange dyed cow hide, is NOT the one pictured.....I'm almost certain that this IS the 1809 version which was produced in bright red.
It's simply down to the fact that the photographer hasn't compensated for the light source on his camera. :P ;) ;D
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: Techno on 04 July 2013, 03:57:47 PM
While Fenton appears right, I believe you'll find that that the 1812 space hopper. which from my extensive research was manufactured in an orange dyed cow hide, is NOT the one pictured.....I'm almost certain that this IS the 1809 version which was produced in bright red.
It's simply down to the fact that the photographer hasn't compensated for the light source on his camera. :P ;) ;D
Cheers - Phil.
Phil's right, it is an 1809 Space Hopper specially adapted for the Men's Doubles.
Off the top of my slightly sunburnt head, we were waiting on a slightly different limber for those chaps, which I believe has now arrived at Pendraken HQ.
8)
Leon,
Would it be possible to have a second rank lancer with sword and carbine please? :)
These also arrived with this month's batch from the sculptor, so we'll soon have some handy personalities to add to the French range!
We've got Napoleon, Marshall Ney and Davout:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5580/14668806279_00e0ab7b69.jpg)
8)
Can I be the first to say Vive l'Empereur!
And great to see new French minis! Already looking forward to painting them!
Allonzy!
Sounds like you've got a nasty cold there, Will. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Napoleon! Stop scratching your armpit!
Nice
Nice 8)
I wouldn't feel right putting old Boney on the table unless I had a least a couple thousand models.
Does Ney come with several spare horses (he's my favourite psychotic Marshall)
Quote from: Matt of Munslow on 08 August 2014, 03:51:21 PM
Does Ney come with several spare horses (he's my favourite psychotic Marshall)
No doubt Mr Harwood's as well given his liking for Gingers
ianS ;)
Well, Davout is my favourite - but I'd need an expert tutorial on painting glasses in 10mm to make any sort of fist of it.
Mollinary
PS. However as this is not my period, I think this beautiful sculpt is safe my think fingers!
Very nice,
but howitzers would be appreciated more 8)
(I fear French howitzers may be my own personal Centurion cross to bear)
Is Napoleon not too tall ? ;)
Quote from: howayman on 09 August 2014, 12:06:23 PM
Is Napoleon not too tall ? ;)
I think you'll find he is on a horse! ;)
Mollinary
Also he wasn't that short.....
IanS
The joke of Le Tondu being that he was too short to get in the Guard.
I think it was 5" 10 requirement to get in - he was 5" 6-7 not short for the period - averaging 5" 4 for average Frenchman
I always understood that in the French guard anyone over 5' 4" went into the grenadiers; anyone below that height became a chasseur.
Quote from: Matt of Munslow on 08 August 2014, 03:51:21 PM
Does Ney come with several spare horses (he's my favourite psychotic Marshall)
Quote from: ianrs54 on 08 August 2014, 04:00:34 PM
No doubt Mr Harwood's as well given his liking for Gingers
ianS ;)
This is true enough...Ney is my favourite nutter, although I prefer my gingers to be of the 'la' variety rather than the 'le'. And, no, Ian, I'm not speaking your accent ;)
I does na 'ave a aceent......
IanS
P.S. - Proper Joooob Nik :d
Napoleon the Average
People who persist in believing that Napoleon was a small feller might be surprised to hear that Archduke Charles (see Pendraken pack NPA26) was 1.58m tall, 12cm smaller than Napoleon who at 1.70m was, in fact, of average height.
Meanwhile, height requirements for Napoleon's Consular Guard was 1.77m for grenadiers and 1.70m for chasseurs. By the end of the Empire, though, a foot grenadier of the Imperial Guard only had to have a height of at least 1.65m and foot chasseurs 1.6m.
Very nice figures!
It would be awsome to see the french range completed by some "Chevaux léger" (lancers)
That's the cavalery unit missing ;)
Cheers
Guilz
Yes indeed. I would have thought that the Polish lancers of the guard would have been high on most people's lists of favourite figures. The line lancers weren't formed until after 1809, of course.
As Waterloo British are now on the cards would the French line lancers be needed as opposition? I'm not up on Waterloo so would be interested to know.
Absolutely.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 12 September 2014, 09:33:48 AM
As Waterloo British are now on the cards would the French line lancers be needed as opposition? I'm not up on Waterloo so would be interested to know.
All 6 "French" regiments were in the campaign, and I believe 4 of those were at Waterloo. There were no "Polish" regiments in the campaign other than one squadron of Guard attached to the Dutch Guard lancers.
I do believe Leon has shown an 1812-1815 French lancer so it should be available at some time.
Cheers, Rob :)
I will certainly need a brigade of these, so a request please for rear rank lancer figures. :)
Thanks, Rob :)
According to Lachouque, The Anatomy of Glory, p. 7 Murat wrote that:
'They must be not less than twenty-five, between 1.78 (5' 10") and 1.84m (6') in height...' There is more about eligibility.
Quote from: Guilz on 12 September 2014, 09:06:14 AM
It would be awsome to see the french range completed by some "Chevaux léger" (lancers)
That's the cavalery unit missing ;)
But it's an 1809 range. . . so not so much missing as not in existence.
howitzers, though, they existed!
I took the bavarian howitzers with some french crew, it works pretty well ;)
The Bavarian guns are just the Austrian models.
However, the French made use of captured Austrian guns, especially 6-pdrs.
On my to-do list is finding out what an Austrian 6-pdr in French service would have looked like. If anyone has any idea, please let me know. :)
And Zippee's right, as has been discussed on the forum. Incorporating lancers into the French army went through a lengthy period of consideration and testing throughout 1809. If any date from 1809, it was only on paper.
The later line lancer has been sculpted:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8414/8963209403_8b1989b09e.jpg)
Well they look very nice.
Neeeeed!
It's taken some time to get it done, but we've had the headgear modified on these as per the requests:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/15243861863_b900fa7c35.jpg)
Hopefully these look the business now, and we can get them moulded up and released.
8)
As requested by quite a few folks, we've had the artillery extended with the 12pdr and the 6" Howitzer as well. Elsewhere, we previewed the Guard Grenadiers a Cheval some time back, but there were some queries regarding the headgear. We've had those sent back to the sculptor and the braid/tassle has been repositioned now.
12pdr and 6" How:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7485/15676173150_aa91c3218e.jpg)
Guard Grenadier a Cheval:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/15243861863_b900fa7c35.jpg)
8)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7_0IknxaLk/TyPDmJe0jZI/AAAAAAAACbo/l5DNLnwYGlE/s1600/grenadier-cheval-1807-1812-250d616.jpg)
Definitely 8)
Cheers - Phil.
Great stuff
Hurrah the guns at last
Much appreciated :D
Are these available now? Being a bit thick and unable to do a usual browse as still without internet and email and racking up a huge roaming mobile bill :o
Quote from: Nosher on 25 November 2014, 08:29:56 AM
Are these available now?
Not yet, they'll be going into a low-temp mould either over Xmas or in the New Year and then we can get them released early 2015, probably with the Personalities.
Quote from: Leon on 25 November 2014, 03:21:33 PM
Not yet, they'll be going into a low-temp mould either over Xmas or in the New Year and then we can get them released early 2015, probably with the Personalities.
I won't be getting Napoleon for Christmas :'(
You could always try his brandy and drown your sorrows! ;)
Any chance of a French loading figure appearing for a firing line?
Quote from: quasar42 on 26 November 2014, 10:02:20 PM
Any chance of a French loading figure appearing for a firing line?
Hopefully one day! I think at this stage we'll have to get the sculptor to do a whole month on just loading figures, and he can do them for all the nations/types in one go.
Quote from: Leon on 26 November 2014, 11:14:56 PM
Hopefully one day! I think at this stage we'll have to get the sculptor to do a whole month on just loading figures, and he can do them for all the nations/types in one go.
Rather than a loading pose would be to have the same standing at ready, high porte pose as a second rank for all the standing firing pose packs – as we asked for and have been sculpted for the British. Much MUCH better, IMHO, than an entire rank of guys loading and of course far superior to a rank of guys marching into the back of men standing in front of them, which is the only option at the moment.
I'm about to base another five units all with second ranks kicking the heels of the first ranks in a marching styley.
A loading pose would be excellent for skirmisher packs, coupled with a kneeling firing pose – with the standing firing pose thrown in for good measure. For the French, a skirmisher pack is more or less essential.
Very nice - love that howitzer :)
Quote from: WeeWars on 27 November 2014, 11:56:56 AM
Rather than a loading pose would be to have the same standing at ready, high porte pose as a second rank for all the standing firing pose packs – as we asked for and have been sculpted for the British. Much MUCH better, IMHO, than an entire rank of guys loading and of course far superior to a rank of guys marching into the back of men standing in front of them, which is the only option at the moment.
I'm about to base another five units all with second ranks kicking the heels of the first ranks in a marching styley.
A loading pose would be excellent for skirmisher packs, coupled with a kneeling firing pose – with the standing firing pose thrown in for good measure. For the French, a skirmisher pack is more or less essential.
Except that if the front rank has levelled muskets, then so should the second and third - I don't think there was much fire by ranks going on anymore 8)
"One of the principal forms of musketry was fire by ranks. During this evolution, the 3rd rank stood 6 and one-half inches to the right and fired through the gaps in the two front ranks. In this system the 3rd rank fired first, then the 2nd rank fired and the 1st rank fired last."
(Nafziger - "Napoleon's Invasion of Russia" p 19)
Quote from: WeeWars on 27 November 2014, 11:33:01 PM
"One of the principal forms of musketry was fire by ranks. During this evolution, the 3rd rank stood 6 and one-half inches to the right and fired through the gaps in the two front ranks. In this system the 3rd rank fired first, then the 2nd rank fired and the 1st rank fired last."
(Nafziger - "Napoleon's Invasion of Russia" p 19)
yes but all loaded and primed at the same time - fire was sequential. But not "front rank fires, while second primes and third loads"
Most French musketry notoriously deteriorated very quickly to man by man.
Loading figures are de rigour for skirmish pairs though :D
I think all armies of the period fired at will as soon as possible unless using the tactic of a battalion volley at close range followed by a charge.
The French method varied by corps commander but it seems the most favoured method was a fire by files where the fire started at the left, right or both ends of a line and each file fired in succession to give a constant rolling fire. The theory was that once this broke down into individual fire it gave the best coverage of continuous fire across a battalion frontage.
The dynamics of musketry changed quite a lot between 1700 and 1815.
When can we expect Guard Chasseurs a Cheval and Guard Lancers Leon? :)
I'm amazed they aren't out already. They must be the single most popular Napoleonic troop-types ever.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 29 November 2014, 02:04:40 PM
I'm amazed they aren't out already. They must be the single most popular Napoleonic troop-types ever.
The Emperor will be sighting the Nassau troops before his escort arrives on the field of Waterloo.
Quote from: Rob on 29 November 2014, 01:12:57 PM
I think all armies of the period fired at will as soon as possible unless using the tactic of a battalion volley at close range followed by a charge.
The French method varied by corps commander but it seems the most favoured method was a fire by files where the fire started at the left, right or both ends of a line and each file fired in succession to give a constant rolling fire. The theory was that once this broke down into individual fire it gave the best coverage of continuous fire across a battalion frontage.
The dynamics of musketry changed quite a lot between 1700 and 1815.
As far as I know, didn't they fire by platoon?
Would love to see some variety in skirmishing figures too - kneeling, loading, running, etc
Quote from: Leon026 on 03 December 2014, 05:53:33 PM
As far as I know, didn't they fire by platoon?
Peleton not platoon; effectively what we usually call companies, which were actually administrative building blocks. On campaign the battalions would be divided into 8, later 6 equal peletons so that evolutions worked properly. They did this as often as necessary to take account of losses.
Firing was usually either by peleton, file or individual - not as far as I know by rank. That was an old method back in the SYW. Though I think it was still used whilst in square (which would be twice as many ranks deep as a line anyway) as it preserved an entire volley/face.
But the most efficious form of fire was by file as a rolling volley, timed correctly each peleton would be constantly firing a part of its front. Usually though this quickly deteriorated into individuals firing as fast as possible.
The British maintained better fire discipline and avoided that deterioration, thus giving rise to the mystique of superior musketry.