French uniform colours

[pixelgeek]

I am going to be painting some french troops for IHMN and was looking around for some source material for uniform colours.

Is this an accurate example of troops that you'd find in Europe?

TIA

[former user]

yes, the question is when
the picture is from before the turn of the century, possibly even earlier, judging by the chako
But You were asking for the colours

well, this looks like the reproduction of a coloured etching - You must imagine that in print the full range of colours was not available to use. From what is known, the colours are basically correct, but the details are not.

the red would be darker and fuller, madder red, and the blue too. However, due to the better quality of the officer uniform, these would keep the chroma longer and they be replaced more often, while the issue uniform would fade quicker.  
this reality over time generated the custom that the officer blue got almost black, in order to generate the appearance from the start.

if I may ask back: isn't that similar with british uniforms, only with reversed colours?

[lou passejaire]

you have some historical uniforms here :
http://www.musee-infanterie.com/vitrine/4-vitrine-n-26--l-evolution-de-l-uniforme-avant-et-apres-1886

no more shako after 1886

this picture seems to be before 1886 .

[former user]

great pics, THX

no more shako after 1886

not even for full dress or cavalry?



the day that I will fully grasp the french kepi code.....

[pixelgeek]

if I may ask back: isn't that similar with british uniforms, only with reversed colours?

My experience in the era is pretty limited so I wouldn't really know :-)

[pixelgeek]

you have some historical uniforms here :
http://www.musee-infanterie.com/vitrine/4-vitrine-n-26--l-evolution-de-l-uniforme-avant-et-apres-1886

Thanks

[former user]

oh, I was just asking in general, thought someone might answer anyway  

[lou passejaire]

there was a major changes at the end of the XIXth century in french infantry uniforms :
1886, end of the shako, of the tunic with 2 rows of buttons ( except for generals ) . instead, kepi ( with ponpon in great dress ) and vest .
colors unchanged . dark blue ( quite black ) red trousers , except for "chasseurs" dark blue, dark blue trousers, yellow trimming .

for cavalry, kepi or helmet for dragons and cuirrassiers .

there is no "service dress" as for the colonial troops .
and the white uniform that you can see in some pictures is a barrack uniform .