Some ideas for some campaign Dragoons (1 Viewer)

[Cold Steel Miniatures]

Hi During the Peninsular War the French Dragoons were the work horse of the French army performing many duties such as foraging,escourting supplies or messengers or out on patrol or searching for Spainish guerillas.All of these were very hazardous and could frequently end in clashes with the enemy.

At the moment we are toying around with a few ideas of some French dragoons in campaign dress and equipment. Either on a patrol or skirmishing. I met with a local artist the other week to discuss some ideas. Here are a few pictures he has come up with showing the different possibilities of poses and variation in equipment.

 

[Cold Steel Miniatures]

Here are a few more. If anyone has any ideas I am open to suggestions or if there is anything in particular you would like to see I am all ears. These are in the early stages, well all the research has been done so its just about having some fun with them.

Iwan

 

[BattlewagonBruce]

When I worked for Offensive Miniatures, 28mm Wargames figs, our punters were always asking for more campaign style figures. The boss like his to look like they came off the parade ground.

I dont know Toy Soldier collectors as well as wargamers, but I think its a good idea.

There are some nice ideas in there.

Good luck with it.

Bruce

 

[Major Busgen]

Here are a few more. If anyone has any ideas I am open to suggestions or if there is anything in particular you would like to see I am all ears. These are in the early stages, well all the research has been done so its just about having some fun with them.

Iwan


View attachment 176726View attachment 176727View attachment 176728

I know you are concentrating on the Peninsular War at the moment Iwan but I hope you can get some figures done for the Battle of Waterloo - always a popular subject with collectors.
There are a lot of types not produced by other manufacturers at the moment - Royal Artillery Rocket Troop in action, Hanoverian troops (some nice variations of uniforms there), Dutch/Belgian infantry, etc.
Your attention to detail and the unusual poses you produce would make them highly sought after I'm sure.
The article on you in the new issue of Toy Soldier Collector was most interesting; I like your approach to the hobby.

 

[Johnboy]

Hi Iwan,
Like the idea behind the French Dragoon's. As a "Waterloo" collector, the difference in the uniforms re the Peninsular wasn't great. So utilizing the post 1812 uniform would enable it's use in both campaign's.
Regard's,
Johnboy.

 

[Cold Steel Miniatures]

When I worked for Offensive Miniatures, 28mm Wargames figs, our punters were always asking for more campaign style figures. The boss like his to look like they came off the parade ground.

I dont know Toy Soldier collectors as well as wargamers, but I think its a good idea.

There are some nice ideas in there.

Good luck with it.

Bruce

Hi Iwan,
Like the idea behind the French Dragoon's. As a "Waterloo" collector, the difference in the uniforms re the Peninsular wasn't great. So utilizing the post 1812 uniform would enable it's use in both campaign's.
Regard's,
Johnboy.

Hi Bruce and John

I have 5 Empress dragoons coming first and these will be suitable for post 1810 or 1811. These will be in parade ground uniform but in battle poses. In reality the Empress dragoons uniform didnt change a great deal. The guard wasnt subject to the new Bardin regulations of 1812, that was just for the line regiments. Although some of the equipment changed and the colours.

After these 5 there will be the campaign Dragoons from a line regiment probably the 19th or 20th. How many we do remains to be seen. So in answer to Johnboy the Empress Dragoons would be better suited to Waterloo and the campaign dragoons for the Peninsular War.

I am also thinking about some from an elite company but I dont know yet, it might be a few too many.

Iwan

 

[Cold Steel Miniatures]

I know you are concentrating on the Peninsular War at the moment Iwan but I hope you can get some figures done for the Battle of Waterloo - always a popular subject with collectors.
There are a lot of types not produced by other manufacturers at the moment - Royal Artillery Rocket Troop in action, Hanoverian troops (some nice variations of uniforms there), Dutch/Belgian infantry, etc.
Your attention to detail and the unusual poses you produce would make them highly sought after I'm sure.
The article on you in the new issue of Toy Soldier Collector was most interesting; I like your approach to the hobby.

Hi I would love to do the battle of Waterloo. Some of the dragoons I am doing will be suitable for Waterloo(see my other post). hopefully in the future I will do more figures for Waterloo but at the moment my plan is to develop the Peninsular war range up to around 60 codes before I branch out to other ranges. I know I have got a bit sidetracked with the Empress Dragoons. You are right there are plenty of things to choose from the Waterloo campaign.

One day hopefully.

Iwan

 

[Napoleon1er]

Great drawings- I would really love to see an ambushed Peninsular patrol of dragoons, including some figures dismounting to return fire and others on foot skirmishing..... Brown pants are always a nice detail, but dented helmets/torn plumes could also be cool.
-Sandor

 

[Cold Steel Miniatures]

Great drawings- I would really love to see an ambushed Peninsular patrol of dragoons, including some figures dismounting to return fire and others on foot skirmishing..... Brown pants are always a nice detail, but dented helmets/torn plumes could also be cool.
-Sandor

I was thinking along the same lines, maybe escourting part of a wagon train and being attacked by some guerillas. It may take a while to get everything done.

Iwan

 

[Napoleon1er]

Awesome! I would definitely buy a wagon and guerrillas!

A few notes, if you are soliciting suggestions. I have been admiring your pieces so far, but I have not bought any yet. Aside from budget limitations, I think there are a couple of reasons why. First and foremost, the line infantry units you have produced are not the same as those produced by other manufactures. With Napoleonics in particular, I look for companies that either focus on fewer units or produce units that other companies also make. It is not particularly helpful to have 6 different line regiments with all under 20 figures apiece. On the other hand, it is nice when manufacturers produce the more unique units out there that have yet to be covered. I like your Swiss unit- it is really unique, but I hope you add more figures. When I make the decision to buy or not buy a range, I either look for something with enough figures to do en masse or a few figures that would work well in a smaller scene- I could see that being the case with your Swiss line, but then I would love to see a few more unique figures to round it off and finish the scene. I am also curious as to why your bases appear a bit taller than others.....

With all of that said, you have some of the most unique poses out there and that is primarily what I look for. Your French line unit is the best I have seen when it comes to Peninsular uniforms, and when I go for my next toy soldier buy, I might have to pick up that range (and renumber the plates). I hope to see more of that unique individualization in uniforms and poses that you have in that line. I think your particular style is perfect for the Peninsular War and Guerrillas. Here are a few pictures of dragoons (and some other cavalry) you might like:
http://www.napolun.com/mirror/web2.airmail.net/napoleon/dragoons_vs_guerillas.jpg
http://www.napolun.com/mirror/napol...nch_lancers_captured_Austrian_cuirassiers.jpg

Hope you find this helpful,
Sandor

 

[nysoldiers]

Your Dragoons from the Peninsula Campaign will be most welcome. Nice to get away from Waterloo for a change!
Will also go well with JJD's Peninsula War series and they have no cavalry so far.

 

[trooper]

I know you are concentrating on the Peninsular War at the moment Iwan but I hope you can get some figures done for the Battle of Waterloo - always a popular subject with collectors.
There are a lot of types not produced by other manufacturers at the moment - Royal Artillery Rocket Troop in action, Hanoverian troops (some nice variations of uniforms there), Dutch/Belgian infantry, etc.

All these quoted are produced by ATS. Trooper

 

[Major Busgen]

All these quoted are produced by ATS. Trooper

Sorry I wasn't more explicit. I should have said produced in matt finish and in compatible scale to Cold Steel, First Legion, etc.
(Now someone will say they are produced in a matt finish!)

 

[darkseb]

Good to see campaign dragoons and not only the empress dragoons ! Would like to see some Gendarmes too (foot and mounted) since they were intensively used for law enforcement and are seldom represented if ever produced ! Could be an idea ! I only have 2 cold steel figures (a french infantry man and the british cornet) and will soon buy a swiss infantry man too ! Hope to see many more !

 

[Cold Steel Miniatures]

Awesome! I would definitely buy a wagon and guerrillas!

A few notes, if you are soliciting suggestions. I have been admiring your pieces so far, but I have not bought any yet. Aside from budget limitations, I think there are a couple of reasons why. First and foremost, the line infantry units you have produced are not the same as those produced by other manufactures. With Napoleonics in particular, I look for companies that either focus on fewer units or produce units that other companies also make. It is not particularly helpful to have 6 different line regiments with all under 20 figures apiece. On the other hand, it is nice when manufacturers produce the more unique units out there that have yet to be covered. I like your Swiss unit- it is really unique, but I hope you add more figures. When I make the decision to buy or not buy a range, I either look for something with enough figures to do en masse or a few figures that would work well in a smaller scene- I could see that being the case with your Swiss line, but then I would love to see a few more unique figures to round it off and finish the scene. I am also curious as to why your bases appear a bit taller than others.....

With all of that said, you have some of the most unique poses out there and that is primarily what I look for. Your French line unit is the best I have seen when it comes to Peninsular uniforms, and when I go for my next toy soldier buy, I might have to pick up that range (and renumber the plates). I hope to see more of that unique individualization in uniforms and poses that you have in that line. I think your particular style is perfect for the Peninsular War and Guerrillas. Here are a few pictures of dragoons (and some other cavalry) you might like:
http://www.napolun.com/mirror/web2.airmail.net/napoleon/dragoons_vs_guerillas.jpg
http://www.napolun.com/mirror/napol...nch_lancers_captured_Austrian_cuirassiers.jpg

Hope you find this helpful,
Sandor

Hi Sandor
I am open to suggestions. I know what you mean about having 20 odd figures in regiment, it would be great but at the moment its something I cant afford to do right now but saying that there are 15 French line infantry although there are only 8 poses and the next 5 are coming next(sapper,drummer,eagle guards and eagle bearer) Several of the French infantry have no regimental markings at all so these could be used for any regiment. There are another 3 Swiss coming, I dont know if you have seen these yet. I may add a few more Swiss in the future but I am going to be pretty busy producing dragoons in the coming months.....

Thanks for the link those pictures are very good. I had not really noted the thickness of the bases. I will compare them to a few other soldiers later and see about making them slightly thinner the next time I am in China.

Thanks for the feedback.

Iwan

 

[Cold Steel Miniatures]

Good to see campaign dragoons and not only the empress dragoons ! Would like to see some Gendarmes too (foot and mounted) since they were intensively used for law enforcement and are seldom represented if ever produced ! Could be an idea ! I only have 2 cold steel figures (a french infantry man and the british cornet) and will soon buy a swiss infantry man too ! Hope to see many more !

Yes I would love to do a few Gendarmes. 2 or 3 would probably be sufficient a couple mounted and a foot figure would go well with the scene i have in mind.I am glad you have a few of the figures, thanks for your support and i hope you like the Swiss.

Iwan

 

[farmertony]

I would be interested in mounted Gendarmes and line Dragoons from the Peninsula war,especially in poses suitable for escorting supply trains or opposing Spanish irregulars.Did the Dragoons of the Guard ever serve in Spain eg.were they with Bessieres at Fuentes de Onoro?By the way,I quite like your British infantry-the 43rd Foot are one of my favourite units-a part of the light division,they were one of the three regiments originally chosen to undertake light infantry training at Shorncliffe with Sir John Moore and served in just about every action in that war.I like them in the white trousers,suitable for actions in Portugal.Look forward with interest to see what you produce.JJD does not seem keen on producing cavalry,though,when he does.they are very good eg. the 10th Dragoons for his Culloden series.

 

[Cold Steel Miniatures]

I would be interested in mounted Gendarmes and line Dragoons from the Peninsula war,especially in poses suitable for escorting supply trains or opposing Spanish irregulars.Did the Dragoons of the Guard ever serve in Spain eg.were they with Bessieres at Fuentes de Onoro?By the way,I quite like your British infantry-the 43rd Foot are one of my favourite units-a part of the light division,they were one of the three regiments originally chosen to undertake light infantry training at Shorncliffe with Sir John Moore and served in just about every action in that war.I like them in the white trousers,suitable for actions in Portugal.Look forward with interest to see what you produce.JJD does not seem keen on producing cavalry,though,when he does.they are very good eg. the 10th Dragoons for his Culloden series.

Yes the Guard Dragoons did serve in the Peninsular war, they were with Napoleon following sir John Moore on the retreat to Corruna and 2 squadrons returned in 1810 until they were recalled for the Russian campaign but I dont think that they fought any major battles against the British.

The 43rd foot were everywhere in the peninsula. One thing i am missing is a mounted commander, someone like sir John Moore or Robert Crawford.

Iwan