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Hello all,
I have studied and copied the manuscript for personal use presented by 'University Library of Kassel, State Library and Murhard Library of the City of Kassel' respectively.
The original post on this topic is here: https://forum.napoleon-online.de/for...ahlo-1807-1808
I should like to comment on some of the French uniforms.
Screenshot 2025-05-24 at 13.59.07.png
Plate 15 (p15_Gendarm und Grenadier der ksl. Garde)
I find this inclusion in artwork produced in 1810 to be magnificent. Firstly, the Gendarmes d'Ordonannce existed in this uniform in a very brief period of history- literally they were gone by the time the plates were produced- 3 years later. I find this amazing, as the 'picture' was already redundant as a living unit.
However, such is the fidelity to the known decree of the uniform and some other artwork, it cannot be taken as anything but accurate. The sole folly in both figures appears to be the placement of aiguillettes on the left shoulder of both subjects. Although it must be said that other cited 'contemporary' artworks do show the same left shoulder placement. The only other item I see is the parting of the bearskin cordage to the front of the hat- a form not seen since the Consular Garde days otherwise.
Plate 7 (p07_Frankreich- Chasseur der ksl. Garde)
Otherwise a correctly detailed example in second uniform or petite-tenue, except for the tassel displayed at the front of the colpack- of which no example existed.
Plate 9 (p09_Grenadier u. Füsilier der ksl. Garde)
I particularly like this plate as it exposes the very early uniform of the Fusilier-Chasseurs- a very new Garde regiment formed with velites and old Garde officers. It was the very first 'new style' expansion of La Garde Imperiale as far as I am concerned. It set the precedent for much greater expansion after another two years. Notably the chasseur is shown- as incorrectly recited so many times, as in here: https://1806 Création par décret du 19 septembre du Régiment de Fusiliers Grenadiers de la Garde.
The Fusilier-Chasseurs were the first of the pairing on campaign in 1806- the Fusilier-Grenadiers not reaching campaign status until April 1807 according to Lachouque.
The uniform shows the ad-hoc uniform created from 'spares' and economy- only shoulder straps, not epaullettes, short double coloured pompom (shown variously attached to the left in true legére style and in others on the front); the red not blue collar, and equally a bizarre change- the shako chevrons depicted in white lace, such a unique feature to be introduced.
Plate 11 (p11_Dragoner der ksl. Garde u. Gendarm der polnischen Legion)
My last comment is about the depicted and apparently 'normal' surtout worn with facings on cuffs and turnbacks. it is recorded, and Rousellot recanted his original artwork, that no surtouts were issued to this elite regiment. In another bizarre move they were issued, including the Jeune Garde (2eme) Regiment in 1813, TWO complete Grande Tenue unifroms and never received surtouts. Clearly that depicted here is not a stable jacket- is he an officer who purchased his own clothing? Perhaps.
I am not so interested in the other nations, except the Bavarian as an example.
Overall I am very happy with these plates and wonder why they have remained hidden for so long? Secondly why ThomasH book has not remained in print?
Regards,
davew
I have studied and copied the manuscript for personal use presented by 'University Library of Kassel, State Library and Murhard Library of the City of Kassel' respectively.
The original post on this topic is here: https://forum.napoleon-online.de/for...ahlo-1807-1808
I should like to comment on some of the French uniforms.
Screenshot 2025-05-24 at 13.59.07.png
Plate 15 (p15_Gendarm und Grenadier der ksl. Garde)
I find this inclusion in artwork produced in 1810 to be magnificent. Firstly, the Gendarmes d'Ordonannce existed in this uniform in a very brief period of history- literally they were gone by the time the plates were produced- 3 years later. I find this amazing, as the 'picture' was already redundant as a living unit.
However, such is the fidelity to the known decree of the uniform and some other artwork, it cannot be taken as anything but accurate. The sole folly in both figures appears to be the placement of aiguillettes on the left shoulder of both subjects. Although it must be said that other cited 'contemporary' artworks do show the same left shoulder placement. The only other item I see is the parting of the bearskin cordage to the front of the hat- a form not seen since the Consular Garde days otherwise.
Plate 7 (p07_Frankreich- Chasseur der ksl. Garde)
Otherwise a correctly detailed example in second uniform or petite-tenue, except for the tassel displayed at the front of the colpack- of which no example existed.
Plate 9 (p09_Grenadier u. Füsilier der ksl. Garde)
I particularly like this plate as it exposes the very early uniform of the Fusilier-Chasseurs- a very new Garde regiment formed with velites and old Garde officers. It was the very first 'new style' expansion of La Garde Imperiale as far as I am concerned. It set the precedent for much greater expansion after another two years. Notably the chasseur is shown- as incorrectly recited so many times, as in here: https://1806 Création par décret du 19 septembre du Régiment de Fusiliers Grenadiers de la Garde.
The Fusilier-Chasseurs were the first of the pairing on campaign in 1806- the Fusilier-Grenadiers not reaching campaign status until April 1807 according to Lachouque.
The uniform shows the ad-hoc uniform created from 'spares' and economy- only shoulder straps, not epaullettes, short double coloured pompom (shown variously attached to the left in true legére style and in others on the front); the red not blue collar, and equally a bizarre change- the shako chevrons depicted in white lace, such a unique feature to be introduced.
Plate 11 (p11_Dragoner der ksl. Garde u. Gendarm der polnischen Legion)
My last comment is about the depicted and apparently 'normal' surtout worn with facings on cuffs and turnbacks. it is recorded, and Rousellot recanted his original artwork, that no surtouts were issued to this elite regiment. In another bizarre move they were issued, including the Jeune Garde (2eme) Regiment in 1813, TWO complete Grande Tenue unifroms and never received surtouts. Clearly that depicted here is not a stable jacket- is he an officer who purchased his own clothing? Perhaps.
I am not so interested in the other nations, except the Bavarian as an example.
Overall I am very happy with these plates and wonder why they have remained hidden for so long? Secondly why ThomasH book has not remained in print?
Regards,
davew
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