Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Blofeld on June 15, 2014, 11:26:13 AM
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The Swiss army are an oft overlooked force in the VSF setting. With the exception of the Swiss guard, who were of course soldiers of the Vatican City, there are few Swiss forces. Does anyone have any images of Swiss army units towards the end of the 19th Century and/or suggestions for suitable models in 28mm?
Thanks
Blofeld
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Here a link to some period photographs. Uniforms worn from the 1860s until the turn of the century.
http://www.rost-und-gruenspan.ch/museum/fotos_1861_intro.html
(http://www.rost-und-gruenspan.ch/museum/pic/fotos_1861_3.jpg)
Hier a link to pictures of re-enactors
http://kostueme-bs.ch/index.php/galerie/historische-uniformen/uniformen-schweizer-armee/1861-1898.html
I would say French uniforms work fine as long as you add the Swiss red armband with the white cross
Tom
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interesting subject
here is another
http://nelsonlambert.blogspot.de/2012/07/mid-victorian-swiss-army.html
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The hat looks more Jager than French to me
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A French infantry uniform about 1859 for comparison. Tschako got lower later.
Tom
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TKsVZiiQGXI/AAAAAAAAGIs/VsjHlpirZeE/s1600/08-537176.jpg)
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in the late 19th C even the brits got some variation of the low conical chako. I would see a french influence too, but this is hardly important. it is interesting to note that apparently the uniforms were blue and inden lookded very french, but they also had the strange hat with feathers or the chasseurs beret.
I also saw a green uniform, but couldn't find out what it is
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Scharfschützen (rifles) wore green as seen here.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Schweizer_Armee_Scharfschuetzen_1862.jpg/1024px-Schweizer_Armee_Scharfschuetzen_1862.jpg)
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Oh THX. And when did the berets come? it appears to me that is where the french got them from
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Thanks for the info so far. I too have seen the green uniform with berets. Were they a specific unit or did all the Swiss Army wear them at some point? I do like the look of them and these Warlord games Belgians might be perfect if painted green;
http://store.warlordgames.com/collections/belgian-army/products/belgian-chasseurs-ardennais
I know the uniform is a little modern and the equipment likewise but they could pass as a sort of elite unit and they are lovely models.
Thanks
Blofeld
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Thanks for the info so far. I too have seen the green uniform with berets. Were they a specific unit or did all the Swiss Army wear them at some point? I do like the look of them and these Warlord games Belgians might be perfect if painted green;
http://store.warlordgames.com/collections/belgian-army/products/belgian-chasseurs-ardennais
I know the uniform is a little modern and the equipment likewise but they could pass as a sort of elite unit and they are lovely models.
Thanks
Blofeld
What about using the following:
https://www.perry-miniatures.com/index.php?cPath=23_37_47&osCsid=ju5a1c6rpfs9spn7mracnsh2l0
they were berets (some sort of) and are of the right age (Ok a bit early)
or those:
http://www.askari-minis.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=21_38
they are at least one World war earlier than the warlord belgians.
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Not sure about the berets - do you have a picture?
The French introduced it in the 1880 for the mountain troops, not sure about the Swiss.
As a general rule, during the Victorian era Swiss infantery wore blue and Swiss rifles green with black.
Personally, I would go for French of the Franco-Prussian war.
Tom
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berets aplenty 1896
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Clemens-1896-swiss_army.png)
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French "alpin" beret (the "tarte": 'pie') came from the Pyrénées (where it is now known as the "béret Basque"), hence its similitude with the beret of 19th C. Carlists:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Don_carlos_de_borb%C3%B3n_nypl.jpg/250px-Don_carlos_de_borb%C3%B3n_nypl.jpg)
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berets aplenty 1896
That was the picture I'd seen with the berets. What is the machine gun in the bottom left hand corner?
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I am thinking they are Maxims, but I might be mistaken.
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I am thinking they are Maxims, but I might be mistaken.
The guy in the centre has one packed on his back. Definitely looks like a maxim.
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what does not look like a Maxim in that period? ;)
7.5 mm Maschinengewehr Modell 1894 (MG 94)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_11#7.5.C2.A0mm_Maschinengewehr_Modell_1894_.28MG_94.29
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Mitrailleuse-p1000737.jpg/800px-Mitrailleuse-p1000737.jpg)
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Being a former Gunner in a MG team in the US army I am always impressed with the weight of those old machineguns.
Of course the tactics and technology have changed allot since then to. :)
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what does not look like a Maxim in that period? ;)
7.5 mm Maschinengewehr Modell 1894 (MG 94)
Still looks like a Maxim ;)
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and is a Maxim! :D