A French Revolutionary Wars project in 15mm

[OB]

Not at all, it's very helpful.  The short answer is that I didn't know either of those things and now I do. 

I'm not sure what to do with my grenadier figures now. Would they work in any other contingent?

[duc de limbourg]

First, let me correct myself (I'm very sorry for that) but I was wrong regarding the organisation of the Prussian infantry. From 1787 until 1799 the infantry regiment had one grenadier battalion of 4 companies, 2 musketeer battalions (each of 4 companies) and one depot battalion (of 3 companies?). So combining musketeers and grenadiers into one battalion wasn't used.
Only from 1799 onwards, the infantry regiment had just 2 companies of grenadiers which were combined into one grenadier battalion with 2 grenadier companies from another regiment. The regiment also had two battalions of musketeers but now of 5 companies although in the field they probably were organised in 4 "field" companies.

As said above, organisation changed in 1799 but that was caused by the new king William III who in 1797 came to the throne. Not only organisation changed but also the uniform. The 1787 kasket (casquet) of musketeers and grenadiers changed into a form of tricorn (for musketeers) and the higher grenadier hat (for grenadiers). Also the uniform changed into the closed to the waist kind; in fact the 1806 uniform of Jena/Auerstadt period.

I have tried to find other armies who used the Prussian grenadierhat but haven't found noe up to now. It is a peculiar model so i doubt it will be used by any other army.
Greetings
Jan


 

[Chad]

I was going to make the same point about the Prussian Grenadiers. The OOBs I have looked at do not give any indication as to whether or not the Prussian battalions were Grenadiers. The only way is to find an OOB where a regiment has 3 battalions present when one will then probably be Grenadiers.

[duc de limbourg]

I agree with Chad; sometimes it is mentioned that a battalion is a grenadier battalion but often not and only mentioning 3 battalions of which one is the grenadier one. Have added a nafziger Prussian order of battle from Valmy  which shows this.

[OB]

Thanks Jan and Chad.  I've got the sequence now and can see what I need to do.

[OB]

My first French commander.  He is from Old Glory and is accompanied by a Lancashire Games drummer.

[Frostie]

Would you include the North Italy campaign in this period?  Is it Volley and Bayonet that do supplements for these, not too sure, although I do have them but I'm not at home

[OB]

I think you could with some of the French troops. My attention has shifted while I wait for some Austrian Hussars to turn up.  Not sure about Volley and Bayonet, maybe.