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Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: gringo on July 14, 2015, 11:13:56 AM

Title: uniform info for sicilian Picciotti 1860
Post by: gringo on July 14, 2015, 11:13:56 AM

for my Garibaldi's War of 1860 range I am considering
having sculpted some Sicilian PICCIOTTI Guerrillas
as to be honest the uniforms were quite out of this world
and frankly a bit bonkers.! they wore French style Republican
forage caps ,animal skins,carried blunderbuss.and sundry other
weapons. I have scoured the net for illustrations and my library
but need more illustrations.....no matter how basic......as pictures
of them are rare. all help appreciated

cheers
Ged
www.gringo40s.com
www.gringo40s.blogspot.com

Title: Re: uniform info for sicilian Picciotti 1860
Post by: Emir of Askaristan on July 14, 2015, 01:12:31 PM

"Print depicting an episode of the Risorgimento, the meeting between Garibaldi and Nino Bixio with "picciotti Sicilian". During the conflicts in the Battle of Calatafimi, where it seemed that the forces of Garibaldi were destined to defeat, it seems that Nino Bixio suggested to Garibaldi's retreat and the general answered with the famous words recorded by Giuseppe Cesare Abba: "Here or you l 'Italy or you die. ""

linky.....http://www.indire.it/cgi-bin/diafindcgi4?dbnpath=/isis3/dati/dia/immag&query=D-JFVG404D&formato=Completo&unico=1&file_header=/archivi/dia/header.php (http://www.indire.it/cgi-bin/diafindcgi4?dbnpath=/isis3/dati/dia/immag&query=D-JFVG404D&formato=Completo&unico=1&file_header=/archivi/dia/header.php)

Basically I think you are looking for Peasants wearing their own clothes, something akin to Spanish Guerrillas and by the sounds of it, similarly equipped with blunderbusses and hunting pieces and knives and axes stuffed into belts. Of course it wouldn't have taken them long to pick up Neapolitan military muskets and cartridge boxes and join the ranks of the redshirts...or go back to shooting each other and pursuing feuds and petty banditry.

Hope that helps a bit!

Title: Re: uniform info for sicilian Picciotti 1860
Post by: gringo on July 14, 2015, 01:22:23 PM

Thanks Emir............all pictures appreciated. I have a fair amount of information on them...........Richie Clark of Toofatlardies mentioned he
would like to see some of these "rascals"..and along with other requests im seriously considering adding some to the range. they look cool for a start! keep em coming ;)
many thanks
Ged

www.gringo40s.com

Title: Re: uniform info for sicilian Picciotti 1860
Post by: Emir of Askaristan on July 15, 2015, 09:48:28 AM

I thought he might be the source of the enquiry  - aren't they mentioned in his recent article?

Given the dictionary definition of "a young man, especially a young Mafioso or member of the Thousand" I'd make them rough looking, wild haired, stubbly beards, neckerchief wearing peasants in their late teens and early 20's

Title: Re: uniform info for sicilian Picciotti 1860
Post by: gringo on July 15, 2015, 10:01:39 AM

Emir

I can assure you they will be wild looking
and hopfully scary! and will add spice to any
wargame..........prone to plunder either side!!
some were very brave and heedless of death
so a very mixed bag. I have a few decent illustrations
and written descriptions of them now.but looking for more :o :-* :o :-*

regards
Ged
www.gringo40s.com