"Berthier's Neufchatel Battalion" Topic

The famous "canaries"; hard to resist their unique uniforms, designed by the Prince de Neufchatel himself.

28mm Sash and Saber French line, "paint conversion".

Information and some more pictures on my blog at:

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Peter

I painted this unit a few months ago, after much research to find the uniform color of "The Canaries." Mine is a little more mustard-color. but you may be correct.

In any case, you painted a nice group.

They're pretty – rather charming in gloss finish too. Best, Dean

Peter,
Another fine addition to what's becoming a very colorful army. Best of luck finishing evrything in time.

John

They are beautiful. Did all members of the unit have the same shade of color all the time? Dan, post a picture of your guys.

My early MinFigs were painted in 1974, long before dipping, and are yellow enough for me and others to know they are Neufchatel Btn :)

This is good, go here
TMP link
Link at bottom

This unit was raised on May 11th, 1807 on the orders of the newly minted Prince of Neuchâtel, Marshal Louis Berthier, in response to a request from his Emperor. Neufchâtel, a Prussian enclave in Switzerland, was ceded to Napoleon in 1806. The battalion saw some fighting at Wagram in 1809 and was transferred to Spain the following year. It did some hard work against the Spanish guerrillas and saw action against the British at Aldea de la Ponte in 1811. It was ordered to Russia in 1812 but by the time it reached Smolensk, with a strength of 661 officers and men, the Grande Armee was already in retreat. The battalion saw heavy fighting all the way to the Berezina and only one officer and seven men survived the campaign. Reconstituted in 1813 it took part in the retreat from Leipzig and although a few men fought in France, it had virtually ceased to exist by the spring of 1814.

The battalion is well known for its unique uniforms. Controversy has always surrounded the actual shade of yellow and eyewitnesses have described every color from brown to orange. They were often called ‘The Canaries' with reason, so this artist has chosen the most accepted color of ‘chamois' yellow. The illustration shows the uniforms from 1810 to 1814. Note the ‘habit-veste' of the grenadier in the center and the newer cut of the coatee from 1812. Grenadiers were wearing shakos with red cords and tassels after 1813.

love the gloss 'toy soldier' look.

G

Thanks guys; they are definitely a fun unit, whatever shade(s) of yellpow they wore.

Now down to 100 Russians left to paint in 2 months, and even if they don't all get finished we have enough for Borodino as it is!

Good stuff Peter !

Best wishes for Historicon, should be a blast ! How is the playtesting of the scenarios going ?

Very well; the playtests for the Borodino village/Great Redoubt sector, the Utitsa/Fleches sector and the 1st Battle of Poltosk are on my blog:

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The final game will be Maloyaroslavets: playtest is in 2 weeks!