"When Did Wurttembergers Begin Wearing Shakos?" Topic

Early 1813, post 1812, in 1812, 1814? I really can't pin down a solid answer. My books and Google fu point to 1814 as the issue but it really isn't solid info.

Any help my friends?

Post 1812 when they started re-building their army after the Russian debacle.

As always, survivors & depot troops would have worn helms for a while but newly raised troops were in shakos (cheaper & quicker to make)

thank you….1813 mix then.

Mix, I guess….personally, I'm not always a fan of what's probably historically accurate but looks untidy.

But they're your figures.

Cheers.

G'day, IDYM.

John Cook did an excellent article on the W's, which was never published. I was fortunate to read it. According to that article, and also the Ken Trotman reprint of Fishhaber's book on the Wuerttemberg army, the 6th Regiment got the shako first, in 1811, and wore it into Russia. The rest of the regiments got the shako as they were reformed from 1813.

Cheers.

Dal.

Thanks Dal. Good to know.

The light infantry also wore shakos from 1807 as you undoubtedly know.

I have a cut down Wurttemberger Corps: one of my favourite Napoleonic forces. I might now have to look at my 6th Line figures with their unfortunately incorrect helms!

I might now have to look at my 6th Line figures with their unfortunately incorrect helms!

I did similar, mate, though I painted the battalion with shakoes as the 1st, believing that the oldest regiment would have received the new headgear first. I asked for confirmation on the NSF (after I'd finished painting them, of course) and that's when John sent me the article. The 1st stayed in shakoes until AB released their W's, and I replaced the horrid OG figures I'd painted.

So don't be too worried about the helmets. What's in "The Book" and what's on a soldier's back can be two different things, especially if the old gear is seen as better/more comfortable/more "cool" than the new.

Cheers.

Dal.

Well, I'm just considering embarking upon an 1814 campaign & clearly the "turncoat" Wurttemberg army will stay predominantly in their helms.

There's historical accuracy & there's craziness.

Dal Gavan,

I remember hearing John Cook that he offered with someone else ( I can not remember who) to write a book for Osprey on w´s armies ( with one more army that I can not remember now, baden?)but the publisher do not see the project as a commercial success for the little interest it would have.
Do you know if he is online anywhere? I do not see him post for many years. I remember the good days when Cook, Hollins, and others teach us who were starting on the topic.
John has a vast knowledge on flags and tactics.

regards,

Manuel

Well, I'm just considering embarking upon an 1814 campaign & clearly the "turncoat" Wurttemberg army will stay predominantly in their helms.

Help! I'm having flashbacks to old "discussions"!

There's historical accuracy & there's craziness.

Your army, your rules, mate. Like my SYW stuff- Prussian grenadiers carrying colours and not combined with companies from the correct battalions, Russian brigades in winter and summer dress in the same game, and simplified borders on cavalry shabraques.

I'll be sent to Wargaming Hell and be forced to play WRG Horse and Musket 1st Ed, against a rules lawyer, for the rest of eternity!

Dal.

DG +1

G'day, Manuel.

Unfortunately I also lost contact with John after he'd quit visitting the different discussion fora. He was a very helpful, knowledgeable man, but like many I suppose he got sick of the period and the constant fighting.

You could ask Bob Burham at the NSF, or perhaps post a request for him to contact you on that forum?

I think you are right about the article being written for Osprey, but they didn't want two books, just a combined one.

Marc, does the "+1" mean you'll be joining me at the table in Hell?

Cheers.

Dal.