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Friday, August 21, 2015

1859 French Infantry in 15mm

Work continues on pushing reinforcements into the 15mm Risorgimento project.  This time, a French regiment of 3 x 12 figure battalions are mobilized and head out to the storage box.  Figures are Lancashire Games and are flagged as the 74th Line.  The French uniform of the Second Empire with its blue jacket, red pantaloons and cap, and white gaiters is one of my favorites.  Strikingly handsome uniform.

Including this latest addition, France can now deploy one division of infantry onto the battlefield.  This regiment marks the beginning of a mobilizing a second division of four regiments. 
A typical French infantry division consisted of two brigades of two line regiments each with one chasseur battalion and two artillery batteries.  Among the masses of Sardinians and Austrians,  I can now field a token French division.  Having a viable French contingent opens up a number of gaming possibilities.
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22 comments:

  1. Black PowderAugust 21, 2015 at 8:21 AM

    Very handsome indeed, one of my all time favorite uniforms too, like the French Cuirassiers and the Zouaves, ok better stop here before the Francophilia kicks in :0)

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  2. DeanMAugust 21, 2015 at 8:58 AM

    More lovely 2nd Empire troops - love the red trousers and kepis.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagAugust 21, 2015 at 4:40 PM

      Thanks, Dean! One of my favorite periods to paint. The white tunic with blue trouser clad Austrians are cool too.

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  3. PhilAugust 21, 2015 at 12:28 PM

    Nicely done, "En avant les enfants!"...

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    1. Jonathan FreitagAugust 21, 2015 at 4:41 PM

      Thanks, Phil! Hopefully they will marching off towards victory.

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  4. NatholeonAugust 21, 2015 at 3:54 PM

    Great work Jonathan. I've just ordered some of these chappies from Allan at Lancashire Games, so it is always nice to see how well they can paint up.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagAugust 21, 2015 at 4:42 PM

      Thanks, Nate. The Lancashire infantry for this period are excellent. I think you will enjoy painting them. I know I do!

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  5. GonsalvoAugust 21, 2015 at 6:59 PM

    C'est Magnifique!

    Just needs a Mitrailleuse or two to go with them!

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    1. Jonathan FreitagAugust 21, 2015 at 7:29 PM

      Merci beaucoup!

      I don't believe the mitrailleuse saw action until the FPW so none of those are scheduled to enter into the French arsenal.

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    2. GonsalvoAugust 22, 2015 at 5:30 AM

      Good point, but these troops would be usable for the FPW and Crimean War, would they not?

      (Here I plead my relative ignorance of later 19th century uniforms)

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    3. Jonathan FreitagAugust 22, 2015 at 6:14 AM

      Peter, these French would be usable in both conflicts. During the FPW, collars and epaulettes were standardized with no company distinctions as the 1859 campaign saw. I would cheerfully use these French for the two conflicts on either side of the 1859 war.

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  6. DartfrogAugust 21, 2015 at 9:32 PM

    I agree, I like the way this uniform looks. (Especially after painting all those Zouaves) I do think the French missed the opportunity to go with Red Gaiters and White pants to get the proper Tri-colour

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  7. Phil CAugust 22, 2015 at 6:32 AM

    once again, lovely painted figures/regiment... marvelous!

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    1. Jonathan FreitagAugust 22, 2015 at 6:37 AM

      Thanks!

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    2. Phil CAugust 22, 2015 at 7:17 AM

      Do you have 1866 Austrian's painted units? if not I may put some units together myself :o)

      cheers,

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    3. Jonathan FreitagAugust 22, 2015 at 1:38 PM

      No dedicated Austrians for the 1866 war. For that I would need Prussians too!

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  8. Jason MeyersAugust 22, 2015 at 8:36 AM

    Excellent job on these little guys! I'm still waiting for a nice 28mm range to come along... :-)

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    1. Jonathan FreitagAugust 22, 2015 at 1:38 PM

      Thank you, Jason! For 28mm. have you considered Mirliton (http://www.mirliton.it/index.php?cName=historical-2528mm-italian-indip-wars)?

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  9. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)September 8, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    To say you are a prolific painter would be an understatement Jonathan! The look nice btw!

    Christopher

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    1. Jonathan FreitagSeptember 8, 2015 at 4:28 PM

      Remember, quantity has a quality of its own.
      Thank you!

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