1914 French in VSF ?

[Calimero]

How far back can I use 1914 French? I know VSF is not "set in stone" but I would like to have some kind of "historical plausibility"… if that make any sense.

I know that épaulettes were sometime removed from the uniforms during the Franco-Prussian War and that the Lebel saw service around 1893… Am I missing something? Do you have any tips or thoughts?

[rob_the_robgoblin]

For me, I'd use them. But I'd remove any eppaulettes.
Are you planning on using renegade miniatures? I'd be interested too.

However, I think I might use the French from Warrior Miniatures' England Invaded line mixed with the ironclad French. 

[Plynkes]

The designation of the Lebel was the Fusil Mle 1886-M93. Entered service 1887. The '93' stands for an improved bolt system that was introduced at this time.

So it goes a little bit further back than you thought.

[Calimero]

Thanks Plynkes I've also found an  Internet source that call the Lebel "fusil modèle 1885, modifié 1893" so I guess WWI figures could be use from the mid 1880’s then...

@rob_alderman, the figures I have right now are from Great War Miniatures.

[ushistoryprof]

What a great force to create and paint.  I would use 1914 line troops and colonials for the era. For mg support the last of the famous Franco-Prussian Era Mitrailleuses was removed from service in 1905 and the early version of the Hotchkiss was accepted in the late 1890's (most of my sources say 1897).  A large number of Gatling Guns of various cal. were also purchased by the French Army and Navy from 1870-1900.  The famous "French 75" field gun was model 1897 and was adopted in 1898, so it could also be included in a late VSF force.

[Bullshott]

Lots of good ideas here. Remeber that this is VSF, so you can take liberties with uniform details.

Also look out for the Parroom Station Foreign legion wearing breathing apparatus (available from Brigade Games).

I currently use Warrior's 'England Invaded' VSF Foreign Legion in gasmasks, supported by French sailors from Redoubt's Boxer Rebellion range. At some stage I will expand this force - probablt with zouave type figures to start with.

[rob_the_robgoblin]

Bullshott, that's what I'm aiming to do. However, I have far too many forces on the go now...

[Calimero]

With the figures I already have for WWI, I think that I’m also set for VSF… for now. Later I would like to expand my WWI/VSF French force with the upcoming Gripping Beast figures (particularly the Tirailleurs Sénégalais and the Fusiliers Marin).

I was thinking of buying GW plastic Kroot and Lizarmen (the smaller one) as "aliens" (would they be Martians or Venusians, I don’t know yet). I do not need lots of them as I’m more likely to do solo games anyway.

Also, I’m thinking that I should start looking for a figures that could be a good representation of "Napoleon IV"…

[Fjodin]

1914 French and Frenchies after Franco Prussian War ar nearly the same. Only minor differences. So I think you can use them.
Here are example:



Left- 1870, right 1914

[Calimero]

Well they are basically the same aren’t they?

What would be cool is to have a few figures converted and change their kepis for shakos like the one in the lower right corner of the first picture.

[rob_the_robgoblin]

That would be cool!

Interesting to know and consider. 

[Mors]

So far I have got the Warrior England Invaded French and Parrooms French, I think early WW1 would be eminently suitable too. I am surprised there are not more French VSF forces around , with Tirailleur Algerian, Senegalise Tirailleur , Chasseurs D'Afrique , Zouaves, Spahis, Alpines and French Foreign Legion it would be a very colourful force. The Askari  Miniatures site would be a good place to view the colonial options.

Bon chance
Mors

[Whiskyrat]

As the pre-1919 French uniforms all look the same to me,  I bought a few Renegade WW1 French and a unit of Brigade French Chasseurs Alpins to start my VSF force and then while looking at Foreign Legion figures got distracted by Pulp ... and then DA .... and then BoB .....

My thought was a small cavalry unit, a couple of steam carriages (using Golden Compass carriages as a base) and perhaps a balloon unit (or two). .... hmmmm..... 

[ushistoryprof]

I was thinking of buying GW plastic Kroot and Lizarmen (the smaller one) as "aliens" (would they be Martians or Venusians, I don’t know yet). I do not need lots of them as I’m more likely to do solo games anyway.

I use both the small and large lizardmen from GW for Venusians and mad scientist's genetic constructs.  Here are some samples of the larger models:

http://worldhistoryprof.blogspot.com/2010/03/lizardman-warriors-on-march.html

[rob_the_robgoblin]

Interesting!

I might have to pop off another order to renegade. How quick are they? I have been waiting on some early war germans to turn up for quite some time now...