| Prince Alberts Revenge | 15 Jun 2009 6:39 p.m. PST |
I'm in the beginning stages of a project for the Wars of 1859, 1866 and possibly 1870. Currently reading Koniggratz by Craig and am thinking of going for 1866 first. Rules will probably be Field of Battle, but trying to figure out which scale I will go with: 6mm, 10mm or 15mm. -What were the differences between French uniforms of 1859 and 1870?
-Was the greatcoat the only major difference for Austrians of 1859 and 1866? I actually like those gray coats, so would probably collect mostly white-clad Austrians for 1859 and use them as well as some greatcoats for 1866. That is, if the coat was the only major issue.
-How about the Prussians? Any big difference between 1866 and 1870? Thanks so much, learning the answers to the above will help me out trying to find out what size figure and manufacturer to go with! |
 Saber6   | 15 Jun 2009 6:56 p.m. PST |
I use my French from 1859 to 1914 (in 15mm it is hard to tell). Prussians are good for too. |
| Mollinary | 15 Jun 2009 11:47 p.m. PST |
The only major difference for the Prussian infantry was the introduction of a new model pickelhaube in 1868. It was shorter than the earlier version, had a round base for the spike instead of a cruciform one, and did not have a brass spine down the back. Pendraken do both types in their 10mm range. In small scales the difference is not that obvious, and anyway large numbers of Prussian units had still not been issued with the new version by the time they went to war in 1870, so lots of the earlier versions were still around. Mollinary |
| Martin Rapier | 16 Jun 2009 2:45 a.m. PST |
As above, the only real difference for the Prussians was the picklehaube, the Austrians the greatcoat and French the rifles. None of these are particularly noticeable in the smaller scales, although my Austrians wear white jackets all the time because they like to be smart. |
| Matratmatt | 16 Jun 2009 1:02 p.m. PST |
For 1859 French troops the epaulettes were not all red as they were in 1870. Grenadiers = red
Voltigeurs = yellow
Centre Cos = green with red crescent. But in 15mm or smaller-will anyone really be looking that closely?? matt |
| Doc Ord | 16 Jun 2009 2:03 p.m. PST |
French equipment was different in 1870 as well. |
| Prince Alberts Revenge | 16 Jun 2009 5:04 p.m. PST |
How about Hungarians versus Germans (regarding uniform equioment)? What made these guys' appearance different from each other? Thanks! |
| Mollinary | 16 Jun 2009 11:27 p.m. PST |
Tight pants? (The Hungarians that is!) Mollinary |
| bruntonboy | 17 Jun 2009 7:52 a.m. PST |
Funnily enough the major difference that I am pondering is actually in the Bavarian army. Flat kepi-ish caps in 1866 and the silly raupheim thing in 1870. I still have not fully resolved this one. The Austrians in my army are mostly in greatcoat but have a hardcore wearing white tunics. I find in hard to believe that the ever so efficient Austrian army could possibly have made everyone uniformly wear the greatcoat in 1866. |
| Prince Alberts Revenge | 17 Jun 2009 9:22 a.m. PST |
From reading Craig's book on Koniggratz, there was a contemporary account which speaks of units in white. I am thinking of making my core army in white tunics with certain units in greatcoat to break it up… |
| bruntonboy | 17 Jun 2009 2:22 p.m. PST |
P.A.R.
Thats what I did with my Austrians, except that mine are mostly in the regulation greatcoat with a minority in white and a few Grenzers in Brown. Very smart. When they fight in Italy in 1859 then it's obviously a cold rainy day. |
| 1848 1871 | 25 Jun 2009 6:46 a.m. PST |
Perhaps I am going to disappoint some people, but I should point out that the Austrian army regulations of July 1861 stated that all foot troops would in future wear the greatcoat on campaign. I have not seen anything to contradict these orders until after the war of 1866. Every regimental history which I have seen and which mentions the clothing states that the troops were in greatcoats. |
