Saxon Leib Grenadier Guard - Black Hussar 28mm

Saxon Leib Guard Grenadiers - looking fab in their bright red, yellow and white and black bearskin. One of the best looking uniforms of the Napoleonic era I think! These are Black Hussar models once again.

The Saxon Leib Grenadier Guard guarded Napoleon during his stay in Leipzig 1813. Together with the Polish Guard and Velites of Florence and Turin, they formed a new division of the Old Guard at this time.

Prior to 1809 many were middle aged and rather too invested in non-military pursuits (i.e. corruption during peacetime duties!) according to Rawkins. Due to this they struggled to muster a single battalion of 500 men, but reforms in 1810 increased the numbers to two battalions.  In 1813 a single battalion of 600 men was raised.

Calot (cloth patch) of bearskin was yellow with a red grenade motif, which I did a stylised  impression of this here. Officers had a red calot with silver grenade. Bearskins were black or sometimes dark brown.

Thanks for looking, with these more specialist units done, now it's time for some Saxon line infantry.

Saxon Light Infantry - Black Hussar 28mm

Light Infantry for the Saxons, Black Hussar Miniatures once again. These are available in advancing pose (4 different models, plus 3 command). 

I don't always add piping as it tends to be invisible on the wargaming table from regular viewing distance (though not in close up photos like these of course!). But given the fairly dark green and black uniform and small numbers of figures here, I decided to add a bit more colour with the red piping.

Helpful hint - Saxon muskets have red leather slings rather than white. I had painted all these and the next unit's white so had to go back and repaint them all!

I also added this faithful dog to the unit - another Black Hussar model if I recall correctly. Paint scheme I did by copying a photo of my wife's late dog 'Zelda' who came to New Zealand from Saxony at much expense (over 3000 Euros due to biosecurity regulations we have here!) and lived to ripe old age of 17. She can now guard these Saxon Lights forever more. :)

Saxon Generals - Black Hussar 28mm

Saxon Infantry Generals by Black Hussar. Nice variety of models and poses, including the horses.