Question about the uniform of french dragoons 1807-1814

[FreakyFenton]

Hey LAF Hivemind,

I am assembling miniatures I bought on the forum  while back, and came to some Perry French Dragoons. While assembling the standard bearer I came to wonder at his lack of epaulettes on the left shoulder? Is this intentional?
Looking at pictures of uniforms on the internet, I do see that sometimes dragoons are depicted with epaulettes on both shoulders, whereas sometimes the figures feature epaulettes on one shoulder, whereas something akin to cords on the other.

Either way, wondering if there's any experts that can solve this issue. It's probably rather easy and I jsut lack a good source. Napolun.com for instance shows art of a standard bearer without epaulettes (http://www.napolun.com/mirror/napoleonistyka.atspace.com/French_Cavalry.html#frenchdragoons), whereas this illustration of a dragoon with bearskin cap (elite company pre 1812?) shows one with epaulettes? https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0b/d8/1a/0bd81a216c34678bc676f52b1b4fb516.jpg

So, is it something to be rectified with some putty? Or left off to denote the rank of the standard bearer?

Thank you in advance and stay healthy! 

[Warboss Nick]

At the top of my head it’s an officer, i.e. denoting rank. Most dragoon regiments did not carry their eagles into battle though.

[Jemima Fawr]

Yes, it indicates a junior officer.  All ranks below Major had only one fringed epaulette on the right shoulder, with a 'contre-epaulette' (i.e. an epaulette without the fringe) on the left.  Exact rank was indicated using various systems of stripes or metal colours on the strap of the epaulette and contre-epaulette.

The British Army used much the same system, though dispensed with the idea of a 'contre-epaulette'.

[Leunstoelgeneraal]

FreakyFenton: perhaps this is a good site for you: http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/unites.php

Here are (as far as I know) all uniforms of all parties at Waterloo clearly shown. The site is in French, but of course with google translate you can find out everything you want.  Hope this helps !

[FreakyFenton]

At the top of my head it’s an officer, i.e. denoting rank. Most dragoon regiments did not carry their eagles into battle though.

Thank you Warboss Nick!

Yes, it indicates a junior officer.  All ranks below Major had only one fringed epaulette on the right shoulder, with a 'contre-epaulette' (i.e. an epaulette without the fringe) on the left.  Exact rank was indicated using various systems of stripes or metal colours on the strap of the epaulette and contre-epaulette.

The British Army used much the same system, though dispensed with the idea of a 'contre-epaulette'.

Ah very good! Thank you Jemima Fawr! That does clear it up!

FreakyFenton: perhaps this is a good site for you: http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/unites.php

Here are (as far as I know) all uniforms of all parties at Waterloo clearly shown. The site is in French, but of course with google translate you can find out everything you want.  Hope this helps !

Thank you Leunstoelgeneraal! A very helpful site indeed!


Thank you all for helping out! This forum is awesome. 

[Greystreak]

Summarized in the below drawing:

[FreakyFenton]

Thank you Greystreak, that is very helpful indeed, does it pertain to 1807 till 1812, or is it in the latter years of the Napoleonic wars?

[Greystreak]

Per Lucien Rousselot's "Napoleon's Army: 1790-1815", Dragoon Rank insignia did not change during this period, even though some uniform features changed.

[FreakyFenton]

Oof, that's good news. I am aware of the uniform features methinks, the excellent Perry leaflet mentions it and the few books I have pick up on it.
But thank you for sharing your knowledge Greystreak! I have built them now, and will see to basecoating and painting them once the rain stops here in Germany! 

However, thank you to all that did help with their knowledge!

One of the great things about this forum!