"Help! - French 28mm questions!" Topic

I've got a heap of unpainted pre-Bardin French 28mm infantry which I've decided to get rid of (too many figs, not enough space/time!)
My problem is I don't really know much about wargaming/basing and not sure best way to divide this hoard up.

I've searched through old TMP threads for the answers but there seems to be so much disagreement on the topic I thought I may as well ask afresh! So here goes.

a) I understand the 1 Gren/1 Volt/4 Fusilier companies per battaion but which do you think would be most popular format (for sale on ebay one day)- 12-fig units, 16-fig? 24-fig? 36-fig?

b) which would be more popular – painted or unpainted? I'm not pro but I think I can manage a half-decent standard.

These French figs are mostly Victrix plastics and old Foundry/Crusader(?)28mm

All your suggestions very gratefully received

Not my scale but I'd want 16 figures per battalion as to basing don't bother. Sell them unbased if they look good to the purchaser it will not deter anyone.

You would be better off selling unpainted.
And definitely unbased. Despite what some say there is NO "standard" basing scheme.
Your best bet would be to sell it in original packaging, if possible.
And to advertise on TMP you must be a Supporting Member.

I don't see French in your attached photo, but the 42nd Foot, the Royal Highland Regiment, the Black Watch, and handsomely-done as well! If that is the way you paint, you should have nothing to fear in selling painted!

I agree, un-based.

In selling the French (unpainted or painted), units of 12 could be combined into larger units – say eventually 3 of 12 to make 36. A unit could be: 2 Voltigeurs; 7 Fusiliers; 1 officer/drummer/sergeant or eagle bearer; 2 grenadiers. This way more folks could participate.

A sergeant of fusiliers has no fringed epaulettes, but did have short sword and bayonet on a separate crossbelt.

For 36 figure unit, consider 1 eagle bearer; 1 drummer; 4 fusilier sergeants or corporals; perhaps an officer, but subtract a sergeant; sapeur for the grenadier company plus 5 grenadiers; 6 voltigeurs. An actual French battalion at "normal" strength could – at a ratio of 1:20 – justify 80 corporals and sergeants, making 4. Two could flank the eagle bearer, the other two at end of ranks. Each company had 2 drummers (possibly 1 cornetist) for 12 for the battalion, so even 1 drummer figure is one too many! But who can resist the drummers of the 67th (yellow faced dark blue); 42nd – light blue faced yellow; 65th with yellow shako; and others?

GdeP

Thanks all – Garde De Paris, that's really helpful, I will follow your advice and maybe go with units of 12.

I have tons of officers, Eagle bearers and drummers – way too many for the troops I have – so maybe I'll try to sell those separately.

I didn't intend to post a massive pic of the Black Watch! I was hoping for a discrete link but I messed up and now too late to edit.

If I had excess eagle bearers and drummers, I would paint them to take the place of 2 in other units, to add variety to my armies. You might suggest that as you try to sell them.

I have units of 36 figures from I Corps in Spain as my First Division; plus a selection of units that were in, or passed through, the II Corps. I don't recall them ever serving together. The 42nd and 67th served on the east coast of Spain, so one could switch out eagle and drummer of the 24th (I Corps) and 96th (I Corps) to have these two units in eastern Spain.

GdeP

Take a quick look at the painting quality of some ebay vendors. Compared to many of them, you are indeed a pro.

Lord Hill, I would post them on The MarketPlace and Bartertown first, then E-Bay if they don't sell.

I agree with GdeP, 12 fig units, 2 Voltigeurs, 2 Grenadiers, 1 flag bearer, 1 drummer, 1 officer 5 Fusiliers. Also post the manufacturer of each unit.

Our group uses 12 fig units. If a someone wants a 24 or 36 fig unit they can buy more.

You will always get more for painted figures, however if yu don't want to spend the time, sell unpainted.
Always unbased, I cannot tell you how many times I've rebased painted figures I bought. It's a pain.

Thanks Hektor!
Thanks also wrgmr1 – all very helpful tips, unbased units of 12 it shall be.