#8167 Middle Guard: Fusilier-Grenadiers

Dated: August 28, 2007

French Middle Guard: Fusilier-Grenadiers

Napoleon's Imperial Guard began as a relatively small elite formation, but expanded enormously as the Empire grew. By the later Napoleonic Wars, distinctions were commonly made between the Old Guard, Middle Guard and Young Guard. The Middle Guard occupied an intermediate position: its soldiers did not enjoy quite the same seniority or privileges as the veterans of the Old Guard, but they were still experienced, highly regarded troops and formed an important part of Napoleon’s battlefield reserve. The Fusilier-Grenadiers belonged to this middle tier of the Guard.

box

line drawings

The Fusilier-Grenadiers had been raised during the expansion of the Guard from 1806 onward. Their uniform resembled that of other Guard infantry, but one obvious distinction from the Old Guard Grenadiers à Pied was their use of the shako rather than the bearskin cap. The figures in this set wear the later style appropriate from around 1809, with brass chinscales, fringed epaulettes, long-tailed coats and campaign overalls worn over the breeches and gaiters. Each man also carries the sabre-briquet traditionally associated with elite infantry.

Different paint schemes

This set contains 48 figures in eight poses, including marching, advancing and firing troops. The emphasis on marching figures makes the set especially useful for forming substantial Guard units, while the action poses allow the same troops to be shown deployed in battle. The cartridge boxes were deliberately left without moulded badges, allowing the modeller greater flexibility in painting unit insignia.

test sprue

The term "Middle Guard" was more a category of status and seniority than a completely separate administrative army within the Guard. The Fusilier-Grenadiers and Fusilier-Chasseurs were the classic formations associated with it.