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Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: Basementboy on 31 December 2024, 02:14:27 PM

Title: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: Basementboy on 31 December 2024, 02:14:27 PM
Hello all! Recently I purchased some prussians from wargames atlantic, and have found myself sucked into the Napoleonic Wars- can I have some advice on where to begin? Obviously there's a lot more to learn about uniforms, flags, etc than for ancients and medievals, and any tips on good sources of knowledge would be extremely useful.
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: Harry Faversham on 31 December 2024, 02:27:35 PM
You could do a lot worse than having a peruse at Helge (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=profile;u=17491)'s.
" Waterloo in 28mm - My journey log (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=139128.0)."He's in the middle of painting his Prussians, right now.

:)
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: anevilgiraffe on 31 December 2024, 02:49:47 PM
although they're not the most dynamic of poses, if you've a load of fantasy/horror minis already, The Silver Bayonet will see you right...
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: Basementboy on 31 December 2024, 03:45:17 PM
Thank you both very much for the response! I did peruse Helge and his posts and videos are very useful, not to mention inspiring! Thanks to Anevilgirrafe as well, but just to be clear, I was asking after information on uniforms, flags and organisation, not on miniatures or game systems. I have heard a lot of good things about SB though, so I'll be sure to take a gander.
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: Moriarty on 31 December 2024, 04:02:23 PM
Yes. Abandon hope, and swap those … things for some beautiful 18th century Prussians of Frederick the Great ;-)
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: frank xerox on 31 December 2024, 04:47:16 PM
You cant go wrong with WJ Rawkins for cost effectiveness.
Online theres www.napolun.com and baccus do a downloadable uniform guide. For 6mm but itll give you an idea
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: Khusru2 on 31 December 2024, 05:23:37 PM
I used Osprey books for my 6mm Prussians. But I used napoleonistyka.atspace.com for the French and Austrians (it's free!).
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: Inkpaduta on 31 December 2024, 05:56:53 PM
Osprey books are a good first step. Also you can look online for books with titles
like Armies of the Napoleonic Wars.
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: SJWi on 31 December 2024, 06:16:19 PM
Basementboy, before diving in to the painting I might suggest you decide which set of rules to use. This will dictate unit sizes and the basing requirement.  Also, although we talk "Napoleonic " you need to decide which "period" and theatre of war. I guess buying Wargames Atlantic Prussians might mean 1813 onwards? The Osprey Men-at-Arms are a good place to start but some are better than others.

Regards
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: jon_1066 on 31 December 2024, 07:07:55 PM
I used Osprey books for my 6mm Prussians. But I used napoleonistyka.atspace.com for the French and Austrians (it's free!).

I'd second this site.  It is great for an over view of lots of things Napoleonic.  If you find a rabbit hole you want to dive down you can look for more info in things like the Osprey books.
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: AdamPHayes on 31 December 2024, 10:38:47 PM
The Almark book is really comprehensive but probably out of print. Worth looking out for second hand….

(https://en.empirecostume.com/images/1500/-51922.jpg)

Waterloo information is a bit more easy to find but that version of the Prussian army has some unique Reserve regiments and some types missing, such as Guards and cuirassiers.
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: Basementboy on 01 January 2025, 01:40:46 AM
Yes. Abandon hope, and swap those … things for some beautiful 18th century Prussians of Frederick the Great ;-)
I've been reading up on the man and it's only a matter of time before some 18th century Prussians make it to my painting table! My wallet is staying safe for now though lol
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: Basementboy on 01 January 2025, 01:42:56 AM
SJWi- yes that's correct, I'm most interested in 1813-1815. And thanks to everyone for the resources! Have purchased some Osprey books, and the online resources seem incredibly useful so far :D
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: vtsaogames on 02 January 2025, 02:58:03 AM
Try this and go to the Prussians. http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/ (http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/)

The guy has no shortage of opinion, but all sorts  of information.
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: waterproof on 02 January 2025, 07:44:44 AM
With the Prussians for 1813 to 1815, you have chosen the simplest army from the Napoleonic Wars for the tabletop.
The uniforms are plain and simple. The distribution of the flags is not complicated, for example the reserve does not carry any flags into the field.
The Wargames Atlantic box is quite boring, but you get a lot of miniatures for a small amount of money.
Osprey Publishing is a helpful source, as you have already experienced.
In my opinion, the Landwehr was the most fun to paint.

Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: Jacksarge on 02 January 2025, 09:13:11 AM
There is some rather useful information on a YouTube channel I found called "Mini Agnostic".
Has painting and uniform information for the Prussians during this period. Might be worth checking out.

https://www.youtube.com/@MiniAgnostic

Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: Basementboy on 02 January 2025, 12:39:41 PM
Thanks very much folks! Have looked over Mini Agnostic and his video on facings and sword knots looks very useful. Napoleonistyka looks like a great help to, I’m sure I’ll be visiting the site a lot over the coming days lol
And I’ve purchased the Men-at-arms book on Prussian reserve- wish me luck!
If anyone has any other resources then I’m perfectly open to hear about them- I’m sure there’s still plenty of details I’m missing out on o_o
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: anevilgiraffe on 02 January 2025, 12:46:50 PM
well, the beauty if Silver Bayonet is that you don't have to be that precise... rule of cool
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: vtsaogames on 02 January 2025, 07:22:40 PM
The restrictions on the Prussian army after 1806 limited their infantry to 12 regiments, each of 3 battalions. These 12 regiments were the cream of the crop. The Reserve regiments were formed from cadre of the line regiments and recruits who were cycled through the line regiments, a way of building up the strength of trained infantry. Later on, the first line regiment was designated guards and the other 11 regiments each moved down the list 1 place. Reserve regiments that were then designated line were regiments 12 on up. Reserve regiments were clothed in a variety of uniforms, some from British stocks, some French uniforms and some Russian, from German troops in Russian service who shifted to Prussian service.

Not allowed by treaty to form divisions, the Prussians instead formed brigades of 2 or 3 regiments that were divisions in all but name.

Infantry regiments had 3 battalions, 1 of light infantry (fusiliers) and 2 of line infantry (musketeers). There were usually a company or two of rifle-armed jagers attached.

Battalions had 4 compnaies each.
Title: Re: Where on earth to begin?
Post by: AdamPHayes on 02 January 2025, 09:24:42 PM
The restrictions on the Prussian army after 1806 limited their infantry to 12 regiments, each of 3 battalions. These 12 regiments were the cream of the crop. The Reserve regiments were formed from cadre of the line regiments and recruits who were cycled through the line regiments, a way of building up the strength of trained infantry. Later on, the first line regiment was designated guards and the other 11 regiments each moved down the list 1 place. Reserve regiments that were then designated line were regiments 12 on up. Reserve regiments were clothed in a variety of uniforms, some from British stocks, some French uniforms and some Russian, from German troops in Russian service who shifted to Prussian service.

Not allowed by treaty to form divisions, the Prussians instead formed brigades of 2 or 3 regiments that were divisions in all but name.

Infantry regiments had 3 battalions, 1 of light infantry (fusiliers) and 2 of line infantry (musketeers). There were usually a company or two of rifle-armed jagers attached.

Battalions had 4 compnaies each.

Each of the Brigades usually had light cavalry and artillery attached. Four of the Brigades made a Corps.