French Grenadiers (1 Viewer)

[chalklands]

Does anybody know if there were any French Grenadiers on the French side in the FIW? If so, what would their uniform have looked like?

 

[Combat]

Does anybody know if there were any French Grenadiers on the French side in the FIW? If so, what would their uniform have looked like?

Yes, the French had Grenadiers. Per Osprey: each battlion dispatched in 1755 and 1756 had an establishment of 32 officers and 525 NCOs and privates divided into 13 companies, one of grenadiers and 12 of fusiliers. The grenadier company had 45 men. The primary difference in appearance may have been the cap. Osprey notes that although the French had not officially adopted the bearskin cap for Grenadiers at that time several period descriptions note it in Canada.

 

[Combat]

Here we go - something like this:

 

[chalklands]

Here we go - something like this:

Thanks!
There seem to be a glut of British Genadiers made, but a dearth of French Grenadiers! I assume a tri-corn hat wouldn't have been much use for chucking grenades about & slinging rifles quickly.

 

[Fraxinus]

Good Afternoon,

Battle of Lake George, FIW ---- French Grenadiers have a central role - Phase 2 of the battle. CHARGE (200 plus french grenadiers)!!!! Apparently the French would form grenadier "unts" utilizing companies from several different regiments, similar to the British practice.

Jenkins has a mounted Grenadier figure from the PoA series.

I believe that at the Battle of Ticonderoga, Montcalm positioned the grendadier companies as tatical reserves and they were shifted into line as needed.

Yes on the tall bearskin hat, the Canadian reenactment groups are keen on those.

Combat: What Osprey Book are you referencing, and a thanks for giving the complete description. Found it very informative !!! Love this sort of detail



Canadian reenactment groups often feature French Grenadiers.

And both or either the PBS FIW or the second Paladin Production's FIW CD has reenactments sequences featuring french grenadiers The second Paladin CD is titled along the lines of "George Washington's First War" ---- OUTSTANDING CD.

 

[Combat]

Good
Combat: What Osprey Book are you referencing, and a thanks for giving the complete description. Found it very informative !!! Love this sort of detail

The info on the French grenadiers comes from "Ticonderoga 1758". The best mini-reference for the entire French-Indian War is a book called "Empires Collide - The French Indian War 1754-63" from Osprey - Editor Ruth Sheppard. That one is a must for any JJ collector.

 

[Dragoon]

Just wanted to add that since the French Grenadiers were the elite company of a regiment, they were entitled to wear or grow facial hair, that is moustaches. This was a regulation, not a choice. Men of the grenadier company in the French Army at that time were required to sport a moustache while the men of the fusilier companies must be clean shaven.

 

[Combat]

Good Afternoon,

Battle of Lake George, FIW ---- French Grenadiers have a central role - Phase 2 of the battle. CHARGE (200 plus french grenadiers)!!!! Apparently the French would form grenadier "unts" utilizing companies from several different regiments, similar to the British practice.

Jenkins has a mounted Grenadier figure from the PoA series.

Reading over the Osprey book today on the French forces at Quebec. It dawned on me that the mounted fellow is not a grenadier, but a rare Corps de Cavalerie. Organized in June 1759 by Montcalm. There were 200 at Quebec made up of Canadians and the officers regulars. They wore bearskin caps as well - which gives the appearance of grenadiers. Checked John's website and it confirms.

 

[Fraxinus]

Combat is good!!!