French Cantinière - Westfalia 28mm

I've been doing some more intensive work on Napoleonics, and will have more ready to post soon (actually they are ready now, but they are entered into the Analogue Hobbies challenge and need to be posted there first!). As a bit of interest for now, I've also made a start on my Napoleonic Civilians. Beginning with this Cantineire figure from Westfalia Miniatures. Cantineires were not exactly civilians of course, but rather auxilairies to French combat units working to supply them with drink and food, and also helping to nurse the wounded. Quite a few were killed or injured on the battlefield in these roles as a result. If things got desperate they would sometimes fight too, as this lady is getting ready to do loading her musket. There's some great information about Cantinieres at www.cantinieres.com.

This Westfalia figure is wearing a military jacket, which she may have picked up or made somehow, as early Cantineirie of the First Empire did not have official uniforms. Typical clothing would probably be more like the following pictures. Over time military uniforms in schemes complementing the unit they were attached to became standard though, typically including a braided Pelisse jacket, and large hat to protect from the sun.

Here she is next to a Perry Voltigeur. Theoretically Cantinieres had to be the wife of a man in unit they were attached to, though actual enforcement of this varied. L'armour required no such formalities with many French post revolution I'm sure!

I've picked up some more Westfalia figures, including the Prussian beer cart (sorry water cart), and Russian General's carriage. Great models, though still some more work to do on my Austrians and French before I start on Prussians and Russians.

French Line Infantry Great Coats - Perry & Victrix 28mm

Well they are not so pretty but they add some numbers! French line in great coats. Rank and file are Perry, command from Victrix.

4 Regiments completed.

For the Victrix command figures (from the Middle Guard box sets) I replaced the banner poles with brass wire, as the supplied plastic poles are quite thin. I drilled a hole in the plastic eagle and stuck it on top. 

Getting these Victrix figures worked out quite well, as the 60 figure box set includes 12 command (4 each of officer, standard, drummer). Enough to do two regiments of 24, and supply command for another two regiments of Perry greatcoats, and have six rank and file left over.

French reinforcements en route

Happy new year! Long time no post, but I've been slowly working away on more Napoleonics squeezed between other life events last year, like getting married and end of year work auditing. And also taking some breaks for more time and space economic 6mm scale sci-fi wargaming on my Hordes of Things blog. 28mm Napoleonics is more of a mission to organise!

Anyway here's some more Perry French nearing completion. Two Colonels and a General, without any plans about what to use them for yet - hence the lack of basing. And behind them a bunch of Perry French in great coats to add to the masses.  Quicker to paint but oh so dull looking! Still need to add their command and finish basing. 

In addition, after being impressed with the Victrix Austrian Grenadiers, I decided to purchase a few of their French in one of their free postage deals. Plus they give (or gave) a discount for buying multiple boxes. I got one box each of Old Guard Grenadiers and Chasseurs, four boxes of Middle Guard, and two boxes of line infantry. Two of the Middle Guard boxes will be Middle Guard, and the other two boxes will be Marine infantry which I need for my grandiose Leipzig plans.

Right, back to the painting! :)