"15mm Foot Gendarmes - Minor Conversion Idea" Topic

Sadly, it seems no one produces Gendarmes from the Great Italian Wars (1490 – 1525, or so), on foot.

While I agree that they would mainly fight on horseback, it would still be nice to have one, or more on foot, for vignettes, to command the heavy artillery to fire, or to inspire others by being one of the first into the breach of the besieged castle walls.

With that in mind, and while looking over some of the nice Essex 15mm cavalry figures, it dawned on me that you could probably just not mount them on their horse (assuming they are separate figures), and use a pair of pliers to gently move the legs of the figures into less of a bow-legged position.

Wrapping the figures in cardboard would probably be a good idea, to prevent ruining the detailing on the minis. A little bow-leggedness would probably be fine too, after a long ride of many days on campaign, on horseback.

About the only issue I see is the need to grind down the stirrup detailing a bit, if desired, and possibly swap out a lance for a sword, mace, or warhammer. Not sure if anyone makes and sells those separately for 15mm figs, but I can probably scratch build a few, if pressed.

So, what do you think, e.g. crazy like a fox, or just plain daft?

Here's a good candidate pack (MER53 – Mounted Officers and Generals) – two of the three are armed with a sword and mace. Not sure that kind of weapon, if any, the third guy is carrying, but at least there aren't any lances to cut off:

Any idea what the third guy is armed with?

Here's another mini (MER49 – Gendarme on Horse), with no plume on his helmet, which might be better suited for ground combat, but would need a weapon swap, or at least a cut down lance:

Thoughts?

I've seen in 25s where the Gendarme is carrying a Marshal's baton. It would look like a stick or such.

Minifigs do 15mm a dismounted gendarme in their Burgundian Army range: link

Sawing the models in half at the waist, then attaching the torso you want on a suitable set of legs (and likewise with the head if it is just the helm that you're fussed about) is easier than the technique you suggest, produces a more satisfactory job and damages the figures less.

(I have done all of these, including the squeeze)

Mounted figures tend to have smooth inner surfaces on the legs so although on some figures you can bend them as suggested, you still need a way to base them/fix them on the stand, and often need some green stuff/milliput build to build them up for a realistic look. Again, pretty simple, but more effort than swapping.

Anyway, there are plenty of figures in 15mm on foot with the late medieval/early renaissance armour you've shown (Essex, CB, Mirliton etc.) .. it's only the helmets that look characteristic …

Essex Mer 36 for example (I have used quite a few of these, although they do have that dumpy Essex look)

Good luck

Phil
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