8171 French Elite Infantry with bicornes (1805)

Dated: November 21, 2007

Every French line infantry battalion contained not only ordinary fusiliers, but also elite companies. The grenadiers were traditionally selected from the tallest, strongest and most experienced soldiers and were expected to provide additional weight and determination in an assault. The voltigeurs, created under Napoleon in 1804–05, were intended as agile light infantrymen who could skirmish ahead of the battalion, screen its movements and harass the enemy. Together, these elite companies gave a French battalion troops suited both to shock action and to fighting in open order.

Box.

Although grenadiers and voltigeurs had different roles, their uniforms shared several distinctive features that set them apart from ordinary fusiliers. Both wore fringed epaulettes and carried a short infantry sabre in addition to the musket and bayonet. Grenadiers were traditionally associated with red distinctions, while voltigeurs increasingly used yellow, green and combinations of the two. Some grenadiers wore bearskin caps, but many campaigned in bicornes like those represented in this set, making the figures suitable for both elite company types with appropriate painting.

Two paint schemes. The figures can be painted as grenadiers or voltiguers.

They can also be painted as Imperial Guard units wearing bicornes.

The cartridge box has been left blank so that either a grenade or bugle can be painted on it.

This set depicts French grenadiers and voltigeurs of the early Empire, particularly suitable for the campaigns around 1805 and the years immediately following. The figures wear the earlier French infantry uniform associated with victories such as Austerlitz, with bicornes, fringed epaulettes and the distinctive second crossbelt carrying the sabre and bayonet. Because the principal differences between grenadiers and voltigeurs were often found in colours and insignia, the figures can be painted to represent either type of elite company.

Line drawings.
One sprue includes:
1 drummer
1 NCO
1 standing firing
1 loading
2 marching (pose1)
2 marching (pose2)
2 advancing
2 defending

The set includes marching and action poses together with a drummer and an experienced NCO carrying a company fanion. The NCO bears long-service chevrons, while the musicians and elite-company details add useful variety to a formed battalion. The figures can be combined with HäT's contemporary French fusiliers to create a more complete representation of a Napoleonic infantry battalion.

Test sprue.

French line infantry battalion, early Empire
Fusilier companies – formed the main body of the battalion
Grenadier company – veteran elite troops traditionally used for assault and close combat
Voltigeur company – light troops used for skirmishing and screening
The exact number of companies changed during Napoleon’s reign, but by the mature Empire a battalion typically contained four fusilier companies, one grenadier company and one voltigeur company.

Organization chart.