"Napoleonic Russian questions?" Topic

1. Is there a good, up to date with current research reference book for Russian uniforms for 1812-1814?

2. How are the Wargames Foundry Russians? I'm considering buying one of their army deals. Are there any glaring errors in the range?

1. In summary yes. But it is in three pieces.
Two pieces are in English and posted by the translator and the author (respectively) for free. The annotated translation is of a work that is from before 1850 (out of copyright everywhere). There is also a set of plates, in black and white, that go with the original pre-1850 work. They are called out by number in the translation, and the plates are also on-line. The third piece is in Russian. However it is profusely illustrated and in color. A .pdf version of the book is made available by the author, also on-line and for free. There is exactly one small change to add to these three pieces : a correction as to some pom-pom colors for 1809-1816. This is also on-line, and free, an single chart, in color, that was posted by the author of the work in which it appeared.

However, the last time I tried to post links to out-of-copyright free works, there was also (it appears) in copyright works offered as pirated copied for money on the same website. I never saw this, possibly due to my use of ad-block software (possibly because the site was in Polish, and I am not fluent in Polish. The Editor of this forum publicly label me as "promoting illegal works" and banned me for a week. Which "law" (as opposed to civil copyright protection) was being broken, and exactly what I did to "promote" anything was, and remains, obscure.

So, if you want the links to the works I have described, please obtain the approval of the Editor of the forum first. Sorry to be a priss (correct idiom, yes ?), but I don't want to accidentally break some rule.

2. I do not know these miniatures. If you can show/link to good definition images of them, I will tell you if I see anything wrong/strange/etc.

Sorry to but in, but the link to the Foundry range is below:

link

ScottS. I too looked at the Foundry range for Russians, being a big fan of the Perry's prior, but decided on their newer range for a few reasons:

First, their plastic infantry set is an incredable deal, and the sculps are very cleanly done with LOTS of variation. Also, the Perry Russian Nap. range is much more extensive, especially when it comes to options for artillery. Third, I have a suspicion, the Perry's will make some plastic cavalry for their Russians. I have a set of their dragoons, and they are VERY nice. Large horses with nice proportions.

Also, even with the deal, I still think the Perry option is still cheaper.

Seroga. Thank you for your detailed information concerning the Russian Grenadiers in the recent thread…very informative.

ilodic.

All you have to do for a start is go to

link

While not in any way "promoting" anything or anyone ….

Of course, v. Winterfedlt has linked the translation of which I wrote. Vol 7 starts with the reign of Emperor Pavel in 1796 and Vol 10 starts with the reign of Aleksandr in 1801. At first are all the organizational changes, then the uniform changes, divided by arm of service. The uniform items presuppose that you have read and remember the organizational items. Do not neglect the notes and annotations of the translator/editor, Mr. Conrad, for some neat corrections to the pre-1850 (out of copyright – there is nothing "illegal" here) original.
This work alone will get you ~90% correct.

ilodic,
It is my pleasure to help in any way I can.

The Foundry sculpts look just fine, to the extent I can see them (few rear views, small size images, can't really see the drumers' set-up very well). The painted examples have some, well, …. mistakes. Please use real references not the box art for your painting instructions. Even some the unit names are off (example : there were no "carabiniers" in Russian service during the Napoleonic era. Infantry "carabiniers" were so named after the peace. So, overall the Foundry "hardware" looks OK, with a good selection of unit types and poses, but the 'software" is not so great.
By the way, an unbuttoned greatcoat (or uniform coat) was a punishable offense (and the punishments were rather like in the British Royal Navy, rather harsh, but rather rarely applied) …. so you have a few miscreants among the sculpts.

Seroga, that is an amazing resource. Thank you for that!