Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: Grumpy Gnome on September 25, 2020, 10:38:33 AM
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A bit of a silly question perhaps but my google skills have let me down in finding an answer.
When it comes to “shoulder arms” with Napoleonic French infantry, I notice two different methods. Palm on the butt stock like modern NATO troops and crook of the arm wrapped around the neck of the stock.
Are these two different commands of carry or is it something you would see a mix of in a column?
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My take: the arm wrapped around the stock is march attack - the lads are heading into fire. The butt in the the hand is a road march. Note the following illustration of the 5th US Infantry at Chippewa.
(http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/22/2255/6EXZD00Z/posters/hugh-charles-mcbarron-jr-the-battle-of-chippewa-war-of-1812.jpg)
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Yeah, that makes sense. I was wondering if maybe it was to help keep the lock clean and dry?
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Yes, they are two different drill positions (unfortunately, I cannot recall the exact nomenclature for each one right now), but manufacturers tend to use both as "marching" variations. Incidentally, "march attack" is a wargamerism started by Minifigs back in the 1970s (as was "advancing" which was also started by them), and is not a drill position.
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Ah, ok. I know it may be a petty detail to some but I like to know things like this when putting minis together... before I put them together that is, rather than doing something I later regret.
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It's a good question. I've been following this thread, because frankly I didn't know either. All I could think of from looking at your example pictures, I thought that if it's really cold I'd probably want to carry the musket with my arm wrapped around the neck of the stock, so I don't have to touch the metal and my hand's not as explosed to the weather. :D
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BBS,
More likely a set drill musket position invented by some martinet officer to look good on parade yet be damned uncomfortable to hold in place! :D
DB
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Anyone know the actual drill manual name for the musket-in-the-crook-of-the-arm position?
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My understanding, from the information I have at hand as I have been pondering the same question, is that the position with the left arm across the body with the lock in the crook of the arm is 'Support Arms', the right hand on the stock is part of the maneuver from 'Shoulder Arms' and is normally repositioned to the side of the body, although a slight pose variation is to have the right hand holding the stock.
The 'shoulder Arms' position is the more normal for route marches as it would be somewhat more comfortable.
It seems to be a way of differentiating the arm positions of different nations but, as I understand it, all drill manuals were similar. However the supposed 'March Attack pose is popular with wargame figures but is not actually a correct position.
Hope that helps.
Simon