"Polish Cuirassiers" Topic

So another appeal to the more knowledgeable TMP community. I picked up a pack of Polish Lancers/Cuirassiers (mostly because I wanted the Lancers) and I'm at a loss for finding out how to paint the Cuirassiers. Anyone have any clue what their uniforms were like? Mainly the big things, like coats, packs, straps, stuff that's obvious on a 15mm mini.

I've read that it seems as though there was only one regiment of Cuirassiers in the Polish army, so I guess they're obscure to be painting up…but I have them, so I might as well!

Thanks!

Histofig has a plate and description:

link

Interesting to note they wore white panties!

The Polish cuirassiers had an interesting history to say the least, and you are correct, there was only one regiment. To all intents and purposes they were uniformed and equipped as their French counterparts. What is very interesting, and not sure what this tells us about them, was that they ended up without the cuirass, brigaded with a Krakus regiment.

Thanks again! You guys never fail me!

Sorry for the shameless plug but Murawski Miniatures are hoping to release 28mm Polish cuirassiers, without cuirass, later on this year.

Presumably little difficulty in repainting as 11th French at Waterloo then? Nice! Keep on plugging!

Sorry for the shameless plug but Murawski Miniatures are hoping to release 28mm Polish cuirassiers, without cuirass, later on this year.

Good news! Glad you're expanding this great little range. Will the sculptor be Paul Hicks?

@deadhead, don't forget the Perry's already do the 11th Cuirassiers without cuirass as pasrt of their 1815 range.

Thanks for that. I indeed have them mixed in with my 4th cuirassiers, painted as such, for a bit of variety. Tempted though to do 11th, as so "different", and extra figures of the expected quality would be great.

Again, nothing wrong with shameless plug. That is just what this forum is for…advance notice and leave us drooling!

link

"- 14th Cuirassier Regiment (610 men in 2 squadrons) – Colonel Malachowsk The Poles formed one regiment of cuirassiers but Napoleon felt that they were too expensive and suggested chasseurs or uhlans. So the King of Saxony (the head of the Duchy of Warsaw) issued decree that directed the conversion of these cuirassiers into chasseurs. Poniatowski attempted to persuade him into converting the cuirassiers into dragoons but the King repeated his statement. Poniatowski agreed but added that it wil take a long time due to practical obstacles. Soon however erupted war against Russia and there was no time and money for the conversion- 15th Uhlan Regiment (916 men in 4 squadrons) "

" The cuirassiers were dressed like their French counterparts. The breeches were white leather, the plume was red the black boots were reaching above the knees. The collar was red. The privates wore red epauletes, the NCOs the black boots were reaching above the knees. The collar was red. The privates wore red epauletes, the NCOs had red with yellow and the officers gold epauletes. The helmet and cuirass were of French model. (Note: there were no cuirasses after 1812)."