Work continues on the 1799 project. This time a regiment of Austrian dragoons from AB Miniatures mobilizes from the painting desk. These dozen troopers are finely cast with excellent detailing. Marvelous figures!
For the 1799 project I am quite torn between fielding the Austrian dragoons in bicorne or helmet. As the first regiment of Austrian dragoons to muster for the project, I opted to play it more conservative. That is, these lads are fielded as the 14th Dragoons in their green jackets and bicornes which they were allowed to retain beyond the regulation change in 1798. Of course, my theory is that regulation dates were just that; dates. Many regiments would likely continue wearing existing uniforms until either worn out or supplies caught up with the troops on campaign.
In 1799 and 1800, would Austrian dragoons likely be wearing bicornes, helmets or a mix of both? The other controversy not discussed is the switch from green to white or white to green uniforms for the dragoons/chevau-leger.
More fine additions to your grand project, Jonathan. Impressive as always.
ReplyDeleteHi Dean! Only one Grand Project? I lose track of which is the Grand Project!
DeleteAs always, thank you for the kind words.
Magnificent! Love these AB, and your job is excellent as always!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil! These early AB dragoons are terrific figures; one of my favorite ranges.
DeleteThese look Great Jon - lovely!
ReplyDeletecheers,
Thank you, Phil!
DeleteBeautiful, Jon! Will you be using Republique with these?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Scott! Using Republique is my plan for now. It should work very well for many of the smaller sized battles.
DeleteBeautiful regiment, Jon. I love the red pants and the bicornes! Do you know if the trumpeters in 1799 would have the red plume that distinguished trumpeters of Germanic cavalry regiments later on in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Peter! You ask the hard questions. I gave the trumpeter the traditional cavalry black over yellow plume. I saw no mention of red plume for musicians but a red plume would look good and help set the trumpeter apart on even more on the battlefield. If red plume is confirmed, that is an easy change to make. What do you say? Should the plume be red?
DeleteAnother fine unit is mustered into service. These kaiserlichs look terrific. Not being very knowledgeable about the Austrian cavalry, you might have told me they were French dragoons in bacons and I would have been none the wiser.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michael! You would have been able to distinguish French dragoons in bacon from Austrian dragoons in bicornes. If nothing else, the French would smell wonderful.
DeleteThat is a grand looking unit Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mark!
DeleteYet another great looking unit, I like the bicornes, although I'm also a big bacon fan too. I'd have thought some in bicornes and some in helmets would make sense. If you want them all in bicornes for uniformity I doubt anyone would disagree. Lovely paint job.
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you, Iain! As for the headgear mixture, my thought has been that uniforms would be issued at the squadron or regimental level. Such issuance might show all troopers in a squadron with a the same headgear but troopers in a different regiment might still be wearing the old style headgear. I do think a mix within a unit would add interest.
DeleteAnother great unit. The colors are very striking.
ReplyDeleteI am partial to these bicorned dragoons too!
Delete