1805 French Line Infantry in greatcoats

Dated: September 25, 2006, updated April 4, 2007

The campaign of 1805 carried Napoleon's Grande Armée from the Channel coast deep into Central Europe. After abandoning plans to invade Britain, the army marched east against Austria and Russia, culminating in the great victory at Austerlitz on 2 December. Much of the campaign was fought in cold, wet and increasingly wintry conditions, and the brilliant uniforms associated with Napoleonic armies were often hidden beneath practical greatcoats, campaign trousers and whatever extra clothing the soldiers could obtain. This set captures this less glamorous but much more realistic appearance of French infantry on campaign.

Box art

The set contains 96 figures in 18 poses, representing all three infantry types found within a French line battalion of the period: fusiliers, grenadiers and the newly introduced voltigeurs. The grenadiers and voltigeurs retain their elite distinctions, including sabres and fringed epaulettes, while the fusiliers carry the simpler equipment of the battalion companies. A drummer, officer and hornist add command and specialist figures, while the variety of flasks, gourds, knapsacks and greatcoat styles gives the set a convincing campaign appearance.

Line drawings

Greatcoats had not previously been issued uniformly to French infantry, so soldiers often relied on privately obtained or locally supplied garments. Even after army issue became more common, considerable variation remained in cut and style. This makes greatcoat-clad troops especially useful for representing the Grande Armée as it would actually have appeared during long marches, bad weather and winter campaigning rather than only in full dress.

Test sprue

Set 8146 includes fusiliers, grenadiers and voltigeurs in greatcoats, together with an officer, drummer and hornist, a complete cross-section of a French infantry battalion on campaign.

Painted figures by M. Epting

Painted figures by T. Willers