Perry's French Napoleonic Infantry Query

[Bearwoodman]

Hi all,

I have recently acquired a few second-hand, half-used sprues of Perry's French Napoleonic infantry. I had in mind to use them to produce a few figures for skirmish games, initially the Silver Bayonet. The sprues did not come with any instructions and although I think I have got my head around the distinctions between Fusiliers, Voltigeurs and Grenadiers on the main infantry sprues, there are a couple of bodies on what is left of the Command sprue that I am struggling to identify:


They don't look like officers but they both seem to have a pair of pistols in their webbing. Who are they and what should* I arm them with?

*I cannot promise I won't do something ahistorical but it would be nice to know what rule I would breaking if I did!

[Peterem]

They are the Second and Third Port-Aigles, the colour guards to protect and if necessary replace the guy actually carrying the flag and/or eagle. Senior NCOs rather than officers, and armed with 2 pistols, so the figures are spot on. Main armament was a halberd, with a white pennon for the 2nd and a red one for the 3rd. I'd have thought they'd be quite useful for SB!

Peter, Sidcup

[Bearwoodman]

Thanks Peter, that is very helpful! There is no Eagle left on the sprue, but there are a couple of Halberds so that is fine. They sound like just the sort out of experienced soldiers that you would want in your Silver Bayonet unit (and I am sure a Silver Halberd would be just as effective as a bayonet on a werewolf or similar!).

What headgear would they wear? I have a selection of Shakos and Bearskins available both with or without plumes!

[Baron von Wreckedoften]

I think they (or more likely the Colonel) had free reign over what was worn - bearskin caps seem to have been the most popular, and carabinier-style helmets were also quite common.  Pretty much anything but bog standard shakos, I would imagine.

[Peterem]

Indeed, it would have been up to the colonel. Attached are pictures of port-aigles with shakos, both Grenadier and Chasseur bearskins and the Carabinier helmet. I'd have snapped one up for my Silver Bayonet force myself if I'd known Perry did them. They aren't on the separate command sprue available from Perrys, so I assume they can only be found by getting a box of the FN250 1807-14 Infantry.

Peter, Sidcup

[Peterem]

Sorry, first go was too big for LAF. Here are the rest:

Peter

[Bearwoodman]

I think they (or more likely the Colonel) had free reign over what was worn - bearskin caps seem to have been the most popular, and carabinier-style helmets were also quite common.  Pretty much anything but bog standard shakos, I would imagine.

Thanks Baron, very interesting! I have an excuse to use the most impressive headgear I can find!

I will post pictures when I have one painted up.

Sorry, first go was too big for LAF. Here are the rest:

Peter

Thanks again Peter, these are very useful. And yes, my sprues are remnants from the FN250 box.  I only need one of these guys for my Silver Bayonet project so drop me a PM with your address and I will pop the other one in the post.

[Baron von Wreckedoften]

Thanks Baron, very interesting! I have an excuse to use the most impressive headgear I can find!

Go for it!!!

[Bearwoodman]

Go for it!!!

Watch this space!

[Bearwoodman]

I have assembled my Port-Aigle! The standard pose has the figure holding their halberd upright with the non-pointy end resting in a little socket hanging from a strap across their shoulder (similar to a standard bearer). I wanted a more aggressive skirmish pose so with a hand swap and some milliput I tried to create a figure advancing with the halberd at the ready. It does not look quite right to my eyes and I think it is because the hands used are not gripping the weapon as firmly and tightly as they probably would need to in this position given its weight, but it is beyond my sculpting skills to remedy this so it will have to do!


As for the headgear, well after reading the advice on this thread I was going to go for a bearskin, as there are plenty spare on the sprues I have. Peterem, however, messaged me privately to offer some British Household Cavalry heads that might pass muster as the cheveaux-leger-lancier helmet he mentioned in this thread. It was a very kind offer which as you can see I enthusiastically accepted.

Now to apply some paint...

[Count Belisarius]

He looks splendid. Look forward to seeing him painted.

[Greylegion]

Very interesting post. I like this a lot.

[Norm]

Excellent work and I did not doubt the handgrip until you mentioned it and even then it looks 100% acceptable to me. Nice job.

[Baron von Wreckedoften]

Nicely done!

[Matakakea]

I want to do one like this myself. Just have to scrounge up a helmet from the spares pile at some time. Some good inspiration here people.