British Napoleonic Sapper - Uniform question

[Christian]

Hi guys,

Hopefully someone can help me out here. I'm currently converting one of my plastic British Line infantry into a sapper. I am basing it off this nice figure here:


My questions is: what is that black thing hanging on his left side? From a bit of research I think it may be a pouch to hold the axe, but I'm not entirely sure. Can anyone help me out?

A breakdown of all his gear would be rather grand e.g. what's going on with his hat. I can't seem to find it in the books I have available to me (or even the internet, it seems). I'm not completely hung up on details and quite happy with the conversion so far, but a few more ideas to finish him off would make me really happy!

Thanks!

[the commissar]

It would have held a billhook - a curved bladed implement for clearing undergrowth

[Christian]

Mate, that is exactly what I needed to know. All of a sudden I've found heaps of useful reference pics etc. Thanks heaps!!

[the commissar]

I thought I would be able to find loads of pictures but these are the best - different angles of Victrix's version (a bit down the page)

http://www.victrixlimited.com/news_2.php


Edit - oops I was probably to late with that last post then

[Christian]

Well, that Victrix link was the icing on the cake actually! Thanks again.

Looks like I'll be making a couple more additions...