Line Infantry Grenadiers

These figures from Ros represent the Grenadier companies found within a French line infantry battalion. These are completely different castings to the fusiliers, and while not perfect are a much better model, in my opinion. Although essentially the same uniform the grenadiers had red accouterments  on their shakos and tunics, but were distinguished by a tall plume and "swallows nests" on their shoulders, again in red. The other distinguishing feature is the sword bayonet, which is slung from a cross belt across the shoulder. This means that the grenadiers had two cross-belts compared to one for the fusiliers. All of these features are captured on the Ros figures. Elite companies, which included grenadiers, tended to have more facial hair, that too is represented quite well on these miniatures. Here are samples from my old 1970s collection:

French Line Infantry

I guess this figure was one, if not the first, figure in the Ros 25mm range. In my opinion it is horrible, and indeed, on another forum it was described as the worst wargame figure. The problem is that the head is too big and the shako is the wrong shape. Anyway, like any good wargames army of the Napoleonic period I have loads of them. The uniform appears to be from the mid Napoleonic period, with above the knee high gaiters and shako cords. I have examples painted as line fusiliers and some as line light infantry chasseurs:

French Old Guard Grenadier Guards

Whilst I still have a number of British figures to add to the blog, I thought I would turn to the French figures. First up are the Grenadiers of the Old Guard. Of all the French infantry figures I like the guards the best. The uniform is pretty accurate and the figures are nicely proportioned. Here is a group from my original collection. Over the years these figures have been painted in may guises - originally as saxons, but in the 1980s they were returned to their original French blue:

Once again I did not obtain command figures for my French troops, although I am certain they were available in the Ros range.

British Artillery Update

Actually, I was wrong regarding the British Artillery Officer. The model is a different casting of a figure standing and pointing to the side, while the infantry officer is advancing pointing forwards.