Saturday 6 March 2021

French Imperial Guard Cavalry Corps - 28mm Perry

Bit of a monster post this one. A detailed look at my French Guard Cavalry Corps project for the 1813 era, which with recent addition of the Gardes d'Honneur is now complete. I had uploaded some pictures of some of these units 4 years ago(!), but thought I'd take some more consistent ones here, plus there are some changes. Note I haven't included the Horse Artillery or Generals in these pictures, but they are completed too, except for Murat.


This force is designed for a Leipzig refight at an approximate 1:100 scale. So these 72 cavalry represent the major formations of the 7357 cavalry of the Imperial Guard at the Battle of Leipzig:
Front row: Chasseurs a Cheval, Grenadiers a Cheval, Polish Lancers
Back row: Gardes d'Honneur, Empress Dragoons, Dutch Lancers


The squadrons of these regiments were mixed up in different ways in 1813, and to be strict these numbers would also include a few Berg Lancers, a couple of Mameluke figures and others scattered about. However for reasons of sanity this is my first attempt at an impression of this Corp that is more aesthetically pleasing, and less confusing in a refight that will already be large and confusing enough!

Following are detailed photos of each regiment. All the models are from Perry Miniatures.

Grenadiers a Cheval

The "Gods" or "Big Boots", and "Old Guard" of the Guard Cavalry. Heavy cavalry riding big black horses.






Empress Dragoons

Similar equipment to the Grenadiers but with green coats and metal helmets instead of bearskins.







Chasseurs a Cheval

Light Cavalry, "Guides" of the Guard and escort to Napoleon and other Generals. I've added a bit more detailing to piping and lacework of these, while I was painting the Gardes d'Honneur, and also redid the green with Vallejo Deep Green rather than Uniform Green to give it a richer hue.


See my previous post on these for commentary on the pelisses on these figures, which were extras supplied by Alan Perry (the figures don't come with them, but I wanted to brighten up this regiment so it looked more guard like!).


The top of the Colpack should also be black, unless they had removed the cover to the flamme which I'm saying they have...

(Edit: An update on this from 'Tassie' on TMP that I'll include here as some interesting information about this, he says: "I'm afraid that's not correct. The flamme / bag was completely detachable. It did not tuck inside the colpack or sit under a cover. Only the vertical sides of the colpack were covered in bearskin. The top of the colpack had a black leather surface and rim, practically identical to that of a shako. The flamme / bag was held in place and/or detachable by means of three fairly large iron hooks and eyes, ish 14mm long. If the flamme / bag wasn't fixed onto the colpack by these hooks and eyes, the black leather top of the colpack would be exposed, although as the bearskin rolled over the top of the leather rim, it all but obscured the leather surface, leaving only the middle portion visible. There's a photograph of a good, original First Empire other ranks' colpack, clearly showing the hooks and eyes, on page 230 of the book, Les Tresors de l'Emperi, by Vincent Bourgeot.").




Gardes d' Honneur

A newly painted unit. Four regiments of Gardes d'Honneur were raised in 1813 as an emergency measure due to the lack of cavalry after the Russian disaster. They were raised from the nobility who could supply their own equipment and horses.  The uniform differed from normal Hussar dress only in that the flounders of the cords on the shako were on the left rather than right side.  I've painted these as the second regiment, but the only difference in uniform between the four regiments was the plume tip, which was red (1st regiment), blue (second regiment), yellow (third regiment), and white (4th regiment).


This unit is a bit of a disaster story, which is why I've taken so long to paint them! The problem may not be immediately noticeable, but observant Napoleonic experts may realise what is wrong! See if you can guess what it is before reading onwards... ;)

I tend to assemble and paint quite a few models at any one time, and these I got and assembled along with many others. As noted above, I had some extra Pelisses supplied by Alan Perry and thought I'd add them to these figures as for the Chasseurs above.  I dutifully did so....

Only when I started to paint them did I realise the error. The models were already wearing their pelisses rather than having them slung over the shoulder, so they now had TWO pelisses! Aaagh. With epoxy glue there was no way these were budging.

And so rather demoralised by this, they sat in a box for quite some time...

But then I decided, actually with some clever paintwork I can mostly hide this mistake, and they didn't turn out too badly in the end I think.  They will also be very warm in winter. :)

Polish Lancers

The famous Polish Lancers. As mentioned in this previous post  I used a more pinky crimson colour over the red to try and clearly distinguish the colour from the red of the Red Lancers below.








Dutch Lancers

And lastly, here are the Red Lancers of the Guard.  Very bright colours in this uniform!






Phew and done, thanks for looking, all that now remains for the 1813 Guard is two more units of Young Guard to bring those up to 8 units, plus some specific Guard Generals.

27 comments:

  1. A stunningly beautiful array of cavalry! Wonderful brushwork, basing, and presentation. Viewing them is a perfect way to begin the weekend.

    Best Regards,

    Stokes

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    1. Many thanks, hope the rest of your weekend is good :)

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  2. Stunning display of Guard cavalry! All impressively painted. The Grenadiers a Cheval, particularly, as you don't see those very often.

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    1. Cheers yes nice to get them all out on the table :)

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  3. First class paintjob for a first class cavalry...Bravo!

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  4. Nice work Mark. I'm just starting on five guards regiments myself, so it is great to see what you have done with yours. I know what you mean about how little incidents like the pelisses can be de-motivational. I have just completed 2nd hussars and found that the GMB flag I had attached to them had been eaten away by the PVA glue and the sabretache transfers I had ordered for them were incorrect, both of which put me on a bit of a downward spiral with them.

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    1. Thanks Lawrence and for the commiserations, its interesting how these setbacks crop up and the impact they can have!!
      Good luck with the Guard! :)

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  5. Lovely Guard cavalry Corps. Were you tempted to go for bigger regiments?

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    1. Cheers Jeremy, yes but not with these campaign dress figures! But I may in the interim add some Gendarmes to the Grenadiers, Mamelukes ot the Chasseurs, Berg and Lithuanians to the Lancers.

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  6. Fantastic looking figures Mark. I've always loved the 2 Lancer regiment's.

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  7. Manifique. I particularly liked seeing the Gardes d'Honneur included alongside the other regiments. I hope they do well on the battlefield for you.

    Stephen

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    1. Many thanks Stephen, yes good to finally get them painted despite the issues!

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  8. Splendid looking Guard cavalry units, in spite of the odd challenge! Im painting Perry plastic cuirassiers at the moment and have your page on them permanently opened on my phone, so thanks very much!
    Best Iain

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    1. Cheers Iain, good luck with the Cuirassiers, I look forward to seeing them! :)

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  9. Excellent Mark
    I’m in the middle of the same project myself but I’ve added in some megalomania as well😂. I game mainly continental/Russian campaigns 1809-14
    I’ve used Perrys figures for all and to date have the Grenadiers a Cheval / Gendarmes D’Elite/ Empress Dragoons/Chasseurs a Cheval in campaign uniforms

    Polish and Dutch lancers in full uniform for old guard units

    Polish and Dutch lancers in campaign uniforms for young guard units

    French plastic Hussars with Rouleau shako for young guard Chasseurs a Cheval

    I have small Gringos40s Lithuanian Tatar lancers /Foundry Mameluke units to add on and make above units large

    Next purchases are several Gardes D’Honneur units and Eclaireurs from Perrys

    Let’s say I’m busy and happy to say so ,as I had a 2-3 year painting block so I’m trying to catch up

    Your blog is inspirational and has me fired up

    Project wise next will be finish the Bavarians then on to Wurrtemburg. Wait for Perry plastic Russian cavalry to come out and complete Russian guard cavalry Corps . I recently purchased from Commissar miniatures their Russian guard Cossacks , several limbers for guard and line plus their Bashkirs.
    My final project will be the Austrians 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶all that white and all that cavalry.
    I won’t get into the peninsula as life is too short 😂😂😂

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    1. Thanks for the comment Grecian, I've got a very similar plan in mind for many of those too, Gringo 40's plus waiting for the Plastic Perry Russian Cavalry! :)
      Doubt I'll get to the Peninsula either, but you never know!

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  10. Peninsula Mark for me would have to be when I retire and get them mostly painted I’d say as I really will want to get total gaming time once the Austrians get completed over the next couple of years . I’m not rushing in as new options in metal and plastic are appearing
    I really like the Avanpost Russian skirmishing Jaegers in resin ,sadly they have told me they don’t have plans to do a command set. Great poses
    Peter (Ireland)

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    1. Also the Perrys could do with some good cavalry generals for the French

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  11. Well, your Guard cavalry is a tour de force, (and what a force) Mark. Absolutely lovely! I couldn't tell the GdH were wearing their pelisses even after you let us in on the secret!

    Yes, of course, eventually a few Mamelukes, Gendarme d' elite, and Berg lancers will be required. I have all but the Berg Lancers, but need at least one unit of GdH still :-)

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    1. hi Gonsalvo I purchased the Victrix box of French guard lancers and will be using them as Berg lancers.The conversion will be easy with just having to shave off the shoulder aiguilettes.

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    2. Thanks Peter! Agreed will have to acquire a few of those :) Perhaps the Victrix models. :)

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  12. What a powerful cavalry! Fine! Mark, you made very strong riders. The allies should now be in awe of these guardsmen.

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    1. Thank you Dmitry, I hope they perform well! :)

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