Help!
I have just started to paint up some Austrian infantry for the Seven Years War (code SYA1) and on the left hip of the figure is a small round 'thing' next to the knapsack. From my own reference material I cannot identify what this 'thing' is. Not sure if it is meant to be a small water bottle or a cartridge pouch (although the figure has the correct one as well). Gratefull for any help. :-\
And while I am here can anyone confirm that Austrian infantry had their hair powdered during the war.
Many thanks, Paul
Hi Paul,
Can't help with the figure but Austrian officers, NCOs and musicians hair powdered, other ranks not.
I would recommend:
Uniforms of the SYW Austria 18th Century Press
http://www.18thcenturypress.com/syw.html (http://www.18thcenturypress.com/syw.html)
Cheers, Michael
Seconded. The Greenwood and Ball uniform guides have been around for decades and are probably the most cost-effective sources you can buy.
What you describe is the small bown leather water-bottle carried by all Austian infantry. The Ottenfeld illustrations show it quite clearly.
Ray
Agree with HB, Funcken also shows a wooden water bottle. Pengel and Hurt make a brief passing reference to a powder flask but show no examples or its position.
Chad
Many thanks for the replies. I think you are spot on it being a wooden water bottle (I did find a reference to them having one but no picture), it just looked a bit small to me.
Thanks again. :)
Paul