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Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: keeper on September 04, 2009, 05:44:49 PM

Title: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: keeper on September 04, 2009, 05:44:49 PM
I had the idea to add a few riflemen to my VSF British Regiment of Extra Solar Troops.  But my google-fu is weak today and I can't find any pics of The Rifle Brigade in the 2nd half of the 19th Century, although I know they were engaged at Cawnpore and ay the relief of Lucknow in the Indian Mutiny (1857-59) and they also served in The South African War (1899-1902).

So, to stop this rambling and to give this post some focus - does anyone know where I could buy some Victorian Riflemen in 28mm scale?
Anything form 1860ish to 1910ish is fine since it is for VSF. Thanks!

Or am I just being dumb and they wore the same uniforms as the regular British soldier, but in green?
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Plynkes on September 04, 2009, 05:50:24 PM
Check out this page for an 1870s Rifleman (60th Rifles):

http://books.google.com/books?id=mTEzDzht6LAC&pg=PA34&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=5#v=onepage&q=&f=false (http://books.google.com/books?id=mTEzDzht6LAC&pg=PA34&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=5#v=onepage&q=&f=false)

You might have to scroll down through the plates a bit. As you say, it is pretty much like an ordinary infantryman's uniform in everything but colour. Looks a funny colour as the Rifles' uniforms in South Africa were reported to be such a dark green as to appear black.
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Malamute on September 04, 2009, 05:53:24 PM
Rifle green jacket with Fur hat for home service I think.

But I don't think anyone makes them in home service uniform except the now OOP HLBSC range?

Redoubt Enterprises make some in their Zulu War range, but they are wearing sun helmets and look much like the ordinary infantryman. :?
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Dewbakuk on September 04, 2009, 05:54:16 PM
There were exceptions, due to the issueing of new uniforms etc, however they stopped wearing green in the 1880's I believe. Earlier in some places. As such they wore the same uniform as everyone else.

As to before that, you can use the regular figures but change the headgear as that's the only properly noticeable difference. Or do what you want for your VSF Rifles :)

Edit:- Although as Plynkes link shows, they wore Pith Helmets too, so normal figs would work fine with no effort.
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Skrapwelder on September 04, 2009, 05:58:31 PM
I used Empress Miniatures Zulu Wars British in Glengarry's and modded a little plume on the cap.

(http://rotanddrivel.com/rifles.jpg)
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Svennn on September 04, 2009, 08:07:40 PM
1886
(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w198/svennnthedhnut/JollyBob088.jpg)

1895-1897
(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w198/svennnthedhnut/JollyBob085.jpg)

Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Dewbakuk on September 05, 2009, 12:07:59 AM
Yeah, but those are home service uniforms.
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Skrapwelder on September 05, 2009, 02:53:11 AM
The royal rifles flipped back and forth on headgear for a while. Busby, Pith helmet and then back. In the Boer war it looks like they wore the standard infantry uniform but with black kit.
(http://www.egframes.co.uk/Chitral.jpg)
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Thunderchicken on September 05, 2009, 10:10:19 AM
As it's VSF I'll be making it up as I go along (as usual) so I'll be using Ironclad's Home Service chappies and painting them green. I'll be calling my lot the Eastern Association Rifles.

I think Bullshott has got an idea for Great Western Rifles.
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Skrapwelder on September 05, 2009, 04:15:49 PM
Quote from: Thunderchicken on September 05, 2009, 10:10:19 AM
As it's VSF I'll be making it up as I go along (as usual) so I'll be using Ironclad's Home Service chappies and painting them green. I'll be calling my lot the Eastern Association Rifles.

I think Bullshott has got an idea for Great Western Rifles.

Does this mean that they only fire at enemies within EAR-shot? ;)
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Plynkes on September 06, 2009, 11:39:05 AM
I think you'd be hard pressed to find evidence of Rifles ever wearing busbies in action. Having said that, they look cool and it is VSF, so why not if that's what you want?
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Thunderchicken on September 06, 2009, 02:16:37 PM
Quote from: Skrapwelder on September 05, 2009, 04:15:49 PM
Does this mean that they only fire at enemies within EAR-shot? ;)

Very poor quality indeed.  lol
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Gluteus Maximus on September 06, 2009, 06:43:41 PM
Quote from: Thunderchicken on September 06, 2009, 02:16:37 PM
Very poor quality indeed.  lol

Quite! But don't let that stop you  ;)
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: keeper on September 07, 2009, 03:11:27 PM
Thanks for the great replies, everyone! :)

The glengarry with added plume is tempting, but I think I shall go with regular british in pith helmets but painted with very dark green uniforms! Photos to follow in a few months, when I finally finish painting them! ;)
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: Gluteus Maximus on September 07, 2009, 05:30:21 PM
Quote from: keeper on September 07, 2009, 03:11:27 PM
Thanks for the great replies, everyone! :)

The glengarry with added plume is tempting, but I think I shall go with regular british in pith helmets but painted with very dark green uniforms! Photos to follow in a few months, when I finally finish painting them! ;)

Like these? (scroll down to 4th plate)

http://www.britishbattles.com/tim-reese/zulu/
Title: Re: VSF Rifle Brigade
Post by: keeper on September 07, 2009, 05:44:32 PM
Just like them :)  Thanks for the link GM!