Background: The pose and setting were taken from an often published wartime photo of two Poilus in a similar 'hasty' 1915 trench forward position. I changed the figures to Fusilier Marins. The French Marins were unlike USMC or British Royal Marines-they had little training in amphibious landings, etc. But they were tough, mostly professional and elite. They held the line in 1914 at Yser and many other times in the Great War.

In the trench are some "home-made' 1915 grenades - TNT sticks, wood paddles, wire and fuses and a trench periscope made from basswood with shiny metal strips for mirrors top and bottom. You'll notice that, as in the wartime photo, they've used their rifles to hold up the periscope. (Something leads me to believe these lads were not in the front line.)

Marine 1 – skinny
Blue seaman’s cap with red top knot and white thin chin strap
M1898 double-breasted 8 brass buttons dark blue greatcoat with no pockets, four seamed epaulettes with brass buttons on each shoulder, fold back coat wings
Green handkerchief above collar of great coat
M1886/93 Lebel rifle, three shot clip, bolt action, 8 mm caliber and distinctive thin triangular bayonet in holder
M1892 haversack, greenish grey x 2 removed from each soldier
M1877 one liter water bottle, covered in light grey blue cloth hung up on tree root
M1915 corduroy trousers of pantalon-culotte style, loose in the thigh and tight from the knee down, reddish brown with wide wale cords
Puttees in dark blue
M1912 brown boots

Marine 2 – chubby
Dressed in similar fashion and with same equipment, patterned red and white handkerchief above collar of great coat, M1915 trousers in medium grey, M1877 water bottle in dark blue, putties grey

Hope you like it!

Marc Megroot will be painting it!



All the best,

Dan

Hey Dan, please let me be the first to congratulate you on a beautifully constructed vignette, my friend !!! WELL DONE !!!! I'm pretty sure Marc will have a GREAT time painting the scene up. Cheers !
Kenneth .

Nicely done, looking forward to seeing it painted.

Cheers
Roc.

Exellent trench scene Dan. There's plenty there to keep Marc very busy.

Roger

That's a very interesting and well sculpted little vignette Dan. I really like your unique subjects.

Xenofon

Nice scene and excellent sculpting. I like it very much and think that Marc will likewise do an excellent paint job.

Ulrich

Thanks Kenneth, Ulrich, Xenofon, Roger & Rocco!

All the best,
Dan

great stuff. well done. dave.

Thanks Dave!

All the best,
Dan

Hey Dan, been you have occupied my friend, and your models are very GOOD!!
I´ll waiting for the Marc paint,,,

Regards.

Alex.

Good idea to make the guy looking trough the periscope!
Nice!

well done Dan

Hi Dan
Once again a magnificent sculpt of a rare and hard to find subject. Well done.
Pete

Dan bravo and thanks for the French Navy.
They're always forgotten.
We waiting for the paint now

Alex, Galdino, Peter and Sebastien - Many thanks fellas!

All the best,
Dan

Hi Dan
I have received your Mail...
The scene is gradevole...
it appeals to me also the graundwork ...... good continuous

Saluti MAB

Maurizio - Many thanks!!

All the best,
Dan

Very nice composition Dan!
best regards
christos

Christos - Many thanks!

All the best,
Dan

Hi Dan,

A wonderful set. Congratulations.

Now comes the painting stage. Let's see it.

Cheers,
Paulo

Many thanks for your comment Paulo! As of 1130 CST, the vignette is in the hands of the US Postal Service and on its way to the Netherlands to Marc. I too look forward to Marc's painting it!

All the best,
Dan