Russian Conscripts/Dismounted Cossacks in 1799
With the Austrians and French contingents in the 1799 project seeing almost all of the output from the painting desk, time to muscle a couple of Russian units into the production line. Mustering off the production line today are two 13 figure stands of either dismounted Cossacks or conscripts.
Having much of the Russian cavalry arm during the 1799 campaign in Italy and Switzerland comprised of Cossacks, it seems natural that there would be situations requiring these mounted irregular horsemen to dismount in the rugged mountains of the Alps. These stands could also represent poorly armed conscripts.
While the two mounted officers are from AB, the infantry are from a very old bag of Old Glory figures I have had for close to twenty years. Not only have these figures been lurking in The Lead Pile for at least twenty years, they have been sitting primered in the painting queue for at least two years. That is correct. Every time I either put freshly primered figures into the painting queue or take a handful out, these Russians sit idly awaiting their turn. For whatever reason, I just could not motivate myself to push these figures across the painting station until now. Having this monkey off my back feels good!
Since these conscripts/Cossacks would be at home in the later Napoleonic Wars, I suppose it is somewhat fitting to have these Russian infantry muster out on the anniversary of the Great Battle of Borodino in 1812.
Well they've come out nicely! I've got plenty of figures primed for over two years! The mounted officer works very well with these chaps,lovely!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Ah, I am in good company! Thank you, Iain.
DeleteAn interesting unit, I don’t think I have come across dismouted Cossacks before - Their patience in the painting queue has been rewarded.
ReplyDeletePerhaps having dismounted Cossacks is exercising a bit of poetic license but they will always pass as conscripts.
DeleteUnusual and great looking unit, you're so productive!
ReplyDeleteUnusual perhaps but I had the figures so why not paint them and put them into use? Thanks as always for your support, Phil!
DeleteVery cool looking troops - and as already noted, not what I would expect to see being Cossacks. Interesting look nonetheless. Looking at them I hear a Russian dirge in my head.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dean. These lads can always march on the fields of Borodino too.
DeleteJust goes to prove that everything comes to he who waits, Jonathan....these Cossacks/Conscripts must be very happy they are finally out of the painting queue!
ReplyDeleteThese lads have been very patient with me.
DeleteExcellent consripts/cossacks, they definitely have the armed rabble look!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mike! They are a poorly armed rabble at that!
DeleteAlways nice to finish figures that have been sitting in the primed queue for a little too long! They look to have been worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Aaron
Yes, it is good to get these figures out of the queue!
Delete20 years! They have not suffered from the wait.
ReplyDeleteBought this bag from Wally so many years ago.
DeleteLovely job on the unit, your recruitment process for units is working really well 🙂
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt! My recruitment process still has a few bugs to work out if troops can remain in The Lead Pile for twenty years!
DeleteMy God! Twenty years! That almost makes them antiques. The only items I have with any longevity are in the bits box. A nice pair of stands though Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteI know. A bit shameful. Unfortunately, a few other Old Glory 15s in The Lead Pile are as old as these. Not many though!
DeleteGreat looking figures well worth the wait to see them now!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Ross
Thanks, Ross!
Delete20 years! Don’t you ever sell anything? 😀
ReplyDeleteThe unit looks nice though I must confess my ignorance on why the unit looks like it’s armed with spears? Lances? Though through all their wars the Russians seemed to armed their conscripts with the worse.
Seems like I have a hard time parting with figures. I do sell stuff off occasionally but still that is an exception not a rule. Never know when you might suddenly need something or have a rekindled interest in a back burner project. I have sold off a few painted collections and unpainted lead, though.
DeleteThe Russian conscripts are armed predominately with pole arms. If dismounted Cossacks, the pole arms would represent their lances.
A fine looking regiment Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thank you!
DeleteI think these are pretty much Opolochenie, Russian Militia that chiefly saw action at Borodino, so their muster date is especially appropriate! In any event, fine and unique additions
ReplyDeleteYes, militia for the 1812 campaign was their intended purpose. I imagine a lot of Russians looked like this while on campaigning. I have a uniform plate foe Russian conscripts in 1799 looking very similar in dress.
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