Monday, September 5, 2016

Second French Empire Hussar Regiment #2

Continuing on with the 1859 project, a twelve figure regiment of French hussars departs its bivouac on the painting desk.
Figures, like so many recently, are from Lancashire Games.  Again, excellent sculpting as I have come to expect from Lancashire.  With their brown jackets and light blue trousers and shakos, these fine fellows can be recognized as the 2nd Hussar Regiment.
Note that some troopers carry a firearm strapped to their back while other do not.  Rather than a purposeful decision, my guess is the absence of firearm is due to the vagaries of the casting process.  This argument is strengthened by finding a loose firearm sliding around in the pack.  Nevertheless, fine sculpts.  One more curiosity present on the French hussars.  I bought these dozen horsemen in a Battle Pack listed as containing 12 Chasseurs a Cheval and 12 Hussars.  Without a photo of the figure available on the website, I wonder if these are actually Chasseurs d'Afrique?  Perhaps the Chasseurs d'Afrique and hussar figures are interchangeable?  When painting, no recognizable hussar braid was visible on the jacket but perhaps only the dolman is worn?  A dozen Chasseurs d'Afrique should be ordered to compare with the hussars and confirm. 

20 comments:

  1. A fine looking unit!

    I do agree with the confirmation order...

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  2. Another great looking unit and for what I know of the period they do look like chasseurs d'Afrique I'm less sure of what second empire hussars look like when they aren't wearing fur hats like your previous chasseurs regiment.
    Best Iain

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    1. Iain, if it was not for the horse furniture and lack of braiding on the jacket, these might pass as hussars since hussars did wear both a shako and kepi in 1859. Still, curious. I need to get a few Lancashire Chaaseurs d'Afrique to confirm. Maybe another pack of hussars to confirm that I received hussars the first time!

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  3. I concur with Iain, the figures you painted Jon, do look like chasseurs d'Afrique, well to me anyway :o)
    Great work!

    cheers,

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    1. You guys have good eye toward uniformology but they could be hussars. Time will tell.

      Good to see you back!

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  4. Incredibly impressive collection. I had done these years ago but sold the collection to pay for rev war. The more I see of yours the more i regreat that. Just beautiful.

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    1. Mark you are very kind. Perhaps you could consider beginning the project a second time?

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  5. Essentially the same coloring as for the 2nd Hussars of the 1st Empire, then.
    I suspect an inquiry to Allen at Lancashire Games would answer the question about the castings.

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    1. Allan confirmed that these are Chasseurs d'Afrique but stated that they looked good as hussars too!

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  6. Oh Yes!!! What a great uniform!! Love the colours!

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  7. Very fine work as always, the brown and light blue is an attractive and unusual uniform combination. Even though you have confirmed that they are Cd'Afrique, I think you need another 12 figures, just because.

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    1. Well, I certainly need to get at least a dozen of the Lancashire hussars! Of course, more Chasseurs d'Afrique too!

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