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Question on Napoleonic troops uniforms

Discussion in '"Today in History", Literature & Media Review' started by fmenardi, Nov 20, 2016.

  1. fmenardi Active Member

    Country:
    Brazil
    I wondering how often the napoleonic troops went to battle with the "correct" uniform, ie, tenue de campagne. I think about all problems any army has during the history to supply troops. It is interestant to note, that most of the figures in the market are produced wearing "grand tenue" (complete uniform or parade uniform), a clear reference to the romantic representation of the napoleonic era of the mid/late 19th century. Few models are produced wearing marching and combat uniforms. Please, let me know what you think about this issue.
    All the best,
    Fabrício
  2. megroot A Fixture

    Country:
    Netherlands
    I think you are absolutely right.
    The richeness of the uniforms (they where very expensive and should payed by the soldier himself) worn on the figures are indeed mostly parade dress.

    Marc
  3. Helm A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    I very much doubt any troops of any age wore correct uniform after more than a few days on campaign
    Steve
    martin tabony likes this.
  4. DaddyO A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    One of my hobby horses I'm afraid . . . :wideyed:

    Looking at contemporary prints gives a better insight of how Napoleonic troops looked on campaign. Oilskins on expensive plumes and busbies, folded saddle-cloths to protect from mud, unbuttoned and torn clothing with miss-matched items etc, etc.

    Given difficulty with supply and manufacturers scrimping it's a pretty fair bet that a lot of regular troopers uniforms would look pretty shabby a short while after issue. In Spain for example a lot of French uniforms became so bad that items were locally manufactured using the rough brown cloth produced in that region. Riding breeches were also protected by overalls made from the same material.

    Just reading a fabulous book about Napoleons cavalry and its officers which has first hand descriptions from diaries talking about the difficulties of simply keeping an army fed and on the move. It talks about an army of vagabond scavengers living in complete squalor around a city waiting for the next campaign to start - a far cry from the way soldiers of the era are often portrayed.

    Okay off my little soapbox :p
    Paul
    stoffy01 and OldTaff like this.
  5. Ron Tamburrini A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    What !! you saying you wore a marines dress
  6. Ron Tamburrini A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    They were also on half pay between wars
  7. fmenardi Active Member

    Country:
    Brazil
    Thank you for the you time and opinion, guys!

    Most figures in the market are more suitable for a "romantic representation" (like the XIX century paintings) than for a "realistic" approach much common in our days, that represents the conditions of battle and campaign. So, I ask to the napoleonic wars producers more "realistic" battle dressed pieces.

    All the best,
    Fabrício

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