How to do Napoleonic Irish Legion

[Rob_bresnen]

I would like some advice- I want to do a handful if Irish Legion to add a bit of colour to my Peninsular War French, and was wondering what figures to use. I want them to be Light Infantry, so does that mean they have uniforms like Voltigeurs or Chasseurs? I have found various images, but I am new to the period and my eyes are not yet trained to pick out the little details that make all the difference. I know they wore green and yellow jackets- but any other advice would be helpful...


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Legion

[the commissar]

With a lot of these units the actual uniform worn is not certain - as you can see from the pictures you have posted - so to an extent it depends on what you want them to look like!

If you want full dress light infantry then Front Rank do a pretty extensive range but I think there is a bit of a shortage of campaign dress French lights.

[Brian Smaller]

Try the new Front Rank reinforcement packs - the pre-1812 campaign dress packs may help.

http://www.frontrank.com/big_pictures.asp?prod=5368&pn=7

[julesav]

According to my internet research and a Brassey's book they wore the non-standard cuffs as shown in your first illustration. I used some Front Rank Young Guard figures as they had the right cuffs.

[Gonvalon]

If you want to make them look like battle hardened veterans, I would suggest to use the Perry pre 1812 miniatures.
Here are two examples of the packs:
http://www.perry-miniatures.com/product_info.php?cPath=23_28_54&products_id=2785
http://www.perry-miniatures.com/product_info.php?cPath=23_28_54&products_id=2824

[WillieB]

The ideal figures for these would be from Eureka
Amongst others

http://eurekamin.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=87_126_743_760&products_id=11832

[Melnibonean]

Although you want to make them light infantry you need to consider that they were not a light infantry regiment.
If you're not worried about historical accuracy you can use any figures that you like.

[Rob_bresnen]

that is a good point, but I am just painting up a dozen or so for Sharp Practice to compliment my French Line infantry- I imagine them as a group of Irish Voltigeurs detached to support the French on a mission- Sharp Practice is strictly small scale skirmish- so I won't be painting a whole regiment of them.

[Khurasan Miniatures]

It should also be remembered that the Irish fought in the campaign in Germany in 1813, where they distinguished themselves on several occasions -- being led by Napoleon at the Battle of Bautzen where they covered themselves in glory and were even granted the honour of guarding Napoleon's residence until the Guards arrived.