28mm Perry metals FPW 1870: Chasseur battalion

 

This was not an easy unit to paint but I have finally finished them.

This is a Chasseur battalion attached to the first brigade of every division. The first thing to note about them is the heavy kit they are carrying, which seemed to be the 'French way'. The Prussians, on the contrary, appear very lightly encumbered, be they jaegers or line infantry.

There is also a uniform dichotomy relating to trouser colour. Half the on-line sources show a paler blue trouser colour (perhaps the 1868 model) while the other half show the coat and trousers to be the same (perhaps the 1860 model). I offer you two compilation plates showing these differences. I have gone for a slightly lighter trouser colour but the difference is subtle. There is also this reference:”Chasseurs à pied:coiffure et tunique bleus foncé à passepoils (coutures) jonquilles,boutons blancs, pantalon gris bleu à passepoils jonquille.” So the trousers appear to be a paler different blue while the lace is 'jonquille'. Trouser model 1868 were in dark iron grey cloth (which is this lighter blue) with jonquil piping. I have also seen a reference to the older 1860 model of trousers (the same dark blue as the coat) which may well have still been in service in 1870. So both are correct!

Lovely figures from Perry brothers but weak chassepots.