rvandusen  | 30 Dec 2011 6:17 p.m. PST |
I've started painting some Blue Moon 18mm Compagnies Franches de la Marine for the FIW. The figures are dressed for wilderness fighting with waistcoat, moccasins, mitasses, and forage caps. I've now come across two different color schemes for the caps. blue
link and blue with a white crown
Which is correct for the FIW? Did the cap vary by unit? season? rank? |
| historygamer | 30 Dec 2011 10:44 p.m. PST |
IIRC, the cap is conjecture, and not factual. Still, lots of re-enactor units wear them, and such caps were common to the period. Here is a link to some photos: link |
| artslave | 30 Dec 2011 10:52 p.m. PST |
The bonnet d' police was made by cutting up old uniform bits. I have one for the Compagnies stationed at Mackinac with the flame of white wool. This is an extra one from a batch made and delivered to the fort for display and guides.(many years ago) I worked then for a uniform supplier. Mackinac would tell us the colors and approve all samples before production. There were many companies, stationed all over the frontier. I'm betting there are many variations possible. |
| rvandusen | 31 Dec 2011 5:07 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the info.
I'm now considering if I should vary them by company, or mix them in the same company. I'm stuck liking both styles, but I admit the overall blue is speedier to paint. |
| 21eRegt | 31 Dec 2011 8:38 a.m. PST |
Our reenactment unit chose the fleur-de-lys option, all in blue with the trim. lajonquiere.net |
| rvandusen | 31 Dec 2011 1:08 p.m. PST |
21eRegt Amazingly, the Blue Moon figures have the fleur-de-lys already engraved on the front of the cap and the trim is raised. I also went with all-over blue with yellow trim. I'll paint a second company with blue and white for variety. It's also handy to tell them apart. |
| epturner | 01 Jan 2012 6:11 p.m. PST |
That's how I do it. Each company, unless otherwise distinguished, has a slightly different cap. Eric |
Mal Wright  | 01 Jan 2012 9:43 p.m. PST |
Lovely figures. I have also painted a batch as dismounted French Dragoons in bonnet d'police and they look great for that too. |
| historygamer | 03 Jan 2012 10:02 a.m. PST |
I'm not sure if you are trying to be historical, but if it were me – I would make the caps the same colors. If they did wear such caps – it was most likely they were made from old coats – which would all be the same color. if there was any variation, it would be how they were made, the shape, and perhaps and badges/logos worn on them, since they weren't regulation, and would be made at the company level. |
| John Pwh | 22 Feb 2012 8:18 p.m. PST |
But what color blue would you use ? |
| FIWMax | 26 Apr 2014 5:27 p.m. PST |
I've been looking for any original illustrations to suggest a pattern. No luck with de la Marine, but here is a link to two paintings of other French regiments' unofficial fatigue caps. On a side note, this is a great blog if you haven't already run into it.
link |
| marco56 | 05 May 2014 6:22 p.m. PST |
Yes it is a great blog.
Mark |
