Napoleonic Terms (1 Viewer)

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sceic2

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A few months ago, K&C came out with a special edition series of French cavalry. Six of the ten releases had the term “Chasseur a Cheval” in their title.

Five of the five soon to be released French cavalry have the term “Chasseur” in their title.

When I use an online language translator http://ets.freetranslation.com/ and enter the term “Chasseur a Cheval,” the search reveals, “When Hunter has Horse.”

When I use the same language translator and enter the term “Chasseur,” the search reveals, “Hunter.”

My question is, what is the difference, in terms of the French cavalry, between the two terms “Chasseur a Cheval” and “Chasseur?” Are they the same unit type, do they have the same mission, do they have similar or the same types of equipment and horses, etc.?

If I display them, should they be shown together in one theme or seperately as if in different times or battles?

Please, somebody with a better reference library or greater knowledge than I let me know the answers to my questions.:confused:
 
Hi ,

Here is what I have for information on Chasseurs:

Chasseurs were light troops much like the the German Jagers or British Rifles. In the French Army there were 4 main types 2 Cavalry and 2 Infantry (Chasseurs a pieds). The Chasseurs a Cheval were first raised in the 18th century and were constantly evolving until modern times where they are now members of the Armoured Corps of the French Army. Some of them further evolved during the Napoleonic Wars into Lancer units. They were used primarily as skirmishers in both arms since they were lighter than the Heavy Cavalry and the regular Infantry Battalions. They worn a Hussar like uniform of mainly green that was more muted than the dandies over in the Hussars and had a hunting hron for an insignia. Hope this helps

Dave
 
Dave summed it up pretty good but to add a couple of things as to there duties, they were scouts that would lead the way into enemy teritory and would also be the rear guard to delay enemey pursuit and would also forage and were light cavalry(small men on small fast horses) meant to be fast rapid action troops that could move fast. The chasseurs a cheval of the guard were napoleons favorite troops and acted as his escourt(body guard). he even wore the green coat of a general of this unit.
 
Thank you guys for the information, it does help, a little, but here is my basic question again.

sceic2 said:
what is the difference, in terms of the French cavalry, between the two terms “Chasseur a Cheval” and “Chasseur?”

Are they the same unit type, do they have the same mission, do they have similar or the same types of equipment and horses, etc.?
Click to expand...

Is it like the difference between Regiments, missions, time period, or are the two terms interchangable?
 
A chassuer was one of a body of troops (infantry or a cavalry) that was equiped and trained for rapid movement. Cheval is simply the French name for a horse so I guess it just means the guy is mounted or has a horse with him :)

Maybe you can find out more here: http://web2.airmail.net/napoleon/cavalry_Napoleon.html
 
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Wow Oz thats an awesome site thanks for posting it.

From what I have read the Chasseurs (cavalry and infantry) called themselves Chasseurs. I am unsure if there was a major distinction drawn by the units themselves my guess is probably there was but right now I cant say for sure. Perhaps it was a distinction for the troop list for the quatermaster who had to have accurate numbers of horses and troops etc. If I find anything I will post it. Fishhead is a good source for information on this period so if anything can be found he will probably find it too.

Dave
 
I say again, the only difference between 'Chassuer' and 'Chassuer a Cheval' is the horse (Cheval).

Here's a more comprehensive definition from Wikipedia: A Chasseur (a French term for "hunter") is the designation given to certain regiments of French light infantry (Chasseurs-à-Pied) or light cavalry (Chasseurs-à-Cheval) troops, trained for rapid action. The name was originally used for infantry units in the French Army recruited from hunters or woodsmen. Recognized for their marksmanship and skirmishing skills, the chasseurs were comparable to the German Jäger or the British Rifles. The Chasseurs-à-Pied, as the Marksmen of the French army, were regarded as elite light companies and regiments. The Chasseurs-à-Cheval, however, were generally not held in as high esteem as their infantry counterparts, or the identically armed light cavalry units of Hussars. During the French occupation of Algeria regiments of Chasseurs d'Afrique were raised. These were light cavalry recruited originally from French volunteers and subsequently from the French settlers in North Africa doing their military service. As such they were the mounted equivalent of the Zouaves.

The modern French Army comprises regiments of Chasseurs-à-Pied, Chasseurs-à-Cheval and Chasseurs-Alpins (mountain troops). In addition one regiment of Chasseurs d'Afrique has been re-raised to commemorate this branch of the French cavalry.
 
OzDigger, sometimes my little brain needs reinforcement cause I sometimes don't get it right the first time.:eek: And, I just don't have that much knowledge or resources about the era. That web reference in a previous post on this thread is also very helpful, thank you for posting it. Also, thank you for the more detailed explaination.:)

Now I know I can display all of them together, which I was going to do anyway but now I know that they are more real together. I am so glad that I got the Napoleonic Special editions and that I can put them with my Del Prado versions and the new releases coming out from K&C. If the pictures are any indication of the improvement in quality, I hope that all makers keep up the progress towards perfection. The new "Break-out" series from Britains is also another example of great improvement over previous issues.;)
 
sceic2 said:
OzDigger, sometimes my little brain needs reinforcement cause I sometimes don't get it right the first time.:eek: And, I just don't have that much knowledge or resources about the era. That web reference in a previous post on this thread is also very helpful, thank you for posting it. Also, thank you for the more detailed explaination.:)
Click to expand...

That's ok Michael, I don't much about the Napoleonic era myself. The uniforms and history make the era very interesting but I'm trying to stick to collecting WWII based items. However the Delprado Cavalry etc hasn't been released downunder yet but one day I may get some of them as they are usually cheap enough to dabble in.
 
Thank you fella's for the great info and web sites. I will put them to good use and try to educate myself about the Napoleonic Wars.
 
That is a great sire, I thank you as well!

FuBAr
 
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