Brave little Belgium is back (1 Viewer)

[Guy]

New Belgian Carabinier with grenade; The poilu version with gas mask is also on the drawing table
guy:smile2:

 

[Rob]

Thanks for posting Guy, the figure looks really good, can't wait for grenade throwing Poilu!:salute::

Rob

 

[lancer]

Nice figure but be aware that there are some equipment inaccuracies. The ammo pouches and canteen are French, not Belgian. The figure also appears to be throwing a Mills type grenade, not available in 1914, but this is just conjecture on my part. Perhaps these problems will be corrected for production. The ammo pouch detail was correct on the first marching Carribinier that was done, don't know why this one isn't.
-- Al

 

[Guy]

Nice figure but be aware that there are some equipment inaccuracies. The ammo pouches and canteen are French, not Belgian. The figure also appears to be throwing a Mills type grenade, not available in 1914, but this is just conjecture on my part. Perhaps these problems will be corrected for production. The ammo pouch detail was correct on the first marching Carribinier that was done, don't know why this one isn't.
-- Al

Your right , Belgian Carabiniers, only 1 pouch on the front of the uniform and a different canteen ( see picture) There was a suffocating egg grenade in 1914 but it consisted of two parts ( upper and lower) Grenades were still very primitive in 1914-1915. If the figure depict a Belgian soldier of 1916 he should be wearing a different uniform. The carabiniers were equiped with this type of uniform only in the beginning of the war.
guy

 

[Guy]

Your right , Belgian Carabiniers, only 1 pouch on the front of the uniform and a different canteen ( see picture) There was a suffocating egg grenade in 1914 but it consisted of two parts ( upper and lower) Grenades were still very primitive in 1914-1915. If the figure depict a Belgian soldier of 1916 he should be wearing a different uniform. The carabiniers were equiped with this type of uniform only in the beginning of the war.
guy
View attachment 157430

Here is a very good picture of a Belgian carabinier of 1914
guy

 

[Mirof]

He has in hands a French grenade F1


Belgian Army of 1914 in pcitures : http://www.arquebusiers.be/armee-belge-photos.htm
Some Uniforms of WW1 : http://www.hervedavid.fr/francais/14-18/uniformes.htm


Best

 

[lancer]

He has in hands a French grenade F1
View attachment 157432

Belgian Army of 1914 in pcitures : http://www.arquebusiers.be/armee-belge-photos.htm
Some Uniforms of WW1 : http://www.hervedavid.fr/francais/14-18/uniformes.htm


Best

Excellent research. That solves my question about the grenade. Thanks. :smile2: -- Al

 

[Guy]

He has in hands a French grenade F1
View attachment 157432

Belgian Army of 1914 in pcitures : http://www.arquebusiers.be/armee-belge-photos.htm
Some Uniforms of WW1 : http://www.hervedavid.fr/francais/14-18/uniformes.htm


Best

I read somewhere that the F1 French grenade was only designed in 1915 and accepted late 1915 into the French army. I doubt the Belgian army would be equiped with this weapon that same year. If it is later the Belgian uniform should be like the French one but in khaki.
guy

 

[lancer]

I think we need a grenade expert here. I know that when the war started, the Germans were far ahead of the Allies in terms of grenades, both in numbers and in terms of design. Grenades were relatively scarce amongst the Allies in the opening months. Those that were available tended to be crude, improvised, and lacked an integral striker system, having fuses that needed to be hand lit. I have seen many different egg styles of grenades but not early in the war. I think that I read somewhere that the interior striker, that the egg style has, was not developed until late 1915. Anyone more knowledgeable about these things? -- Al

 

[Rob]

The British had the Mills bomb in 1915 but the inspiration was apparently from Belgian Captain Leo Rowland, it appears there was a patent row between them over the grenade.

Rob

 

[lancer]

Nice figure but be aware that there are some equipment inaccuracies. The ammo pouches and canteen are French, not Belgian. The figure also appears to be throwing a Mills type grenade, not available in 1914, but this is just conjecture on my part. Perhaps these problems will be corrected for production. The ammo pouch detail was correct on the first marching Carribinier that was done, don't know why this one isn't.
-- Al

Also note that the figure's overcoat is of French design with the small, standing collar instead of the large, falling collar of the Belgian overcoat. Upon further examination, this standing collar and French canteen were both on the initial Carabinier release and are wrong. I never saw this until today's discussion. At least the initial release had the correct, centrally located cartridge box. The Belgian uniform and equipment needs to be reworked. -- Al

 

[marco55]

Man you guys know your stuff.{bravo}}
Mark