"Revolutionary French in leather cap" Topic

A few days ago, during a raid on eBay, I was able to buy some old Minifigs Revolutionary French bags.
In the lot there were two blisters of "Line Fusiliers or Light Chasseurs, leather caps." I confess I was not really sure what to expect; in my naivete, I was thinking something closer to a Phrygian hat. Well, I was wrong. These figures are wearing some sort of a cap, almost a casquet or helmet. I have never seen it before. I went online, and I googled, until I finally found a reference in a print from Napoleon's expedition in Egypt. I included the pic in my blog:

link

I am referring to the hat shown on the two figures at the center of the picture. What exactly is this? Where, and how long did French infantry wear this cap? Could these miniatures stand in for French infantry at Valmy? My first reaction was considering a "dilution," by mixing these figures with "traditional" infantry in bicorne. Or Tarleton. That would look more revolutionary to me. Plus, does anyone produces 15mm infantry in Phrygian cap?

Thanks in advance for any idea/suggestion/recommendation!

Adik

If they have the short jacket instead of the tailed coat and the helmet with the pouffe then they are intended for Egypt. The cap was cut down from the bicorne & also made locally in Egypt. I don't see why you couldn't mix them with regular French in bicornes or tarletons since the French were on the ragged side.

I looked at the link and yes, that's the Kleber ordinance uniform from the later part of the Egyptian campaign. You could mix them with regular line for the transitional period in Egypt. Or, if you're not too much of a purist you could pick out units that wore them in Egypt and use those alongside your European stuff. I'm at the point where I'm going for variety of interesting uniforms across the period, not caring too much if they would not have been worn side by side so long as I don't have them in the same unit. I'd certainly be interested in hearing more about your project. By the way, the French army that fought at Valmy would look very different than the one that fought Suvarov. Old regulars in white coats separate from the volunteer battalions. But, you already knew that.
Phil

Yes – it seems to be the leather "helmet" worn in Egypt when the French adopted new uniforms which suited better for the climate, the first ones were of cotton which were replaced later by woolen coats (where each demi brigade then had a unique colour composition)

I remember reading somewhere that a soldier was seen on parade in 1809 wearing one of these helmets. Maybe he missed his little sortie in the sun :)

for french infantry in uniform & phrygian hats in 15mm try Magister Militum/charriot link

zoom13.club.fr/uk1789.htm

Thanks all for the very informative comments. I just learned something new today! :-)

And AonghusONia, thanks very much for the pointer to Magister Militum. That's exactly what I was looking for!

The leather helmet (<<Casquette a Pouf>>) was indeed intended for the Egyptian Campaign; I'm intrigued by Blucher's memory, and hope he can find the reference.

I'm wondering if what blucher was thinking of was one of the crested helmets (like tarletons) that the former royal line wore. Those were issued to some volunteers as well and there might have been some relics kicking around later.
Phil