Dale Hurtt | 05 Dec 2016 8:08 p.m. PST |
I have looked at a number of pictures of Spanish troops in bicornes and no matter the type – infantry, cavalry, or artillery – no matter the unit, there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to whether they wear their bicornes fore-and-aft or side-to-side. Heck, some seem to wear them cocked at an angle, ghetto-style. Am I incorrect and there is a pattern that I have failed to see or do the Spanish wear them how they please during this period? Making new figures and trying to figure out how uniform they should be. |
JonFreitag | 05 Dec 2016 10:02 p.m. PST |
Consider the practicalities of wearing the bicorne and the French naming convention of chapeau alignment. French term for wearing the bicorne from shoulder to shoulder was "en bataille." With the bicorne situated side-to side, loading and firing would be unhindered (or least less of a hindrance). If situated fore to aft, how many times would the chapeau be knocked off the head during either firing/loading drills or on the firing line in battle? Wearing the bicorne fore-to-aft was termed "en colonne" and would be more suitable for on the march. The fore and aft peaks would provide a little shelter from the sun on face and neck while allowing the musket to be shouldered with minimal interference. Given that, I suggest modeling the bicorne position based on the formation of the soldier. |
Brian Smaller | 05 Dec 2016 10:33 p.m. PST |
I want to know why practically every illustration in uniform books show Spanish smoking – yet nobody makes miniatures of Spanish soldiers with a cigar in their hand :) |
de Ligne | 06 Dec 2016 2:28 a.m. PST |
I also remember seeing an illustration of an officer sitting on a mule under an umbrella. I would buy that in 28mm if someone made it but only one which probably explains why nobody makes it. |
ThePeninsularWarin15mm | 06 Dec 2016 6:12 a.m. PST |
"I want to know why practically every illustration in uniform books show Spanish smoking – yet nobody makes miniatures of Spanish soldiers with a cigar in their hand :)" Battle Honors has some Spanish infantry standing with their a right hand held to their mouth. When painting them, I took it to be based off the illustrations for smoking. |
summerfield | 06 Dec 2016 6:30 a.m. PST |
Dear Dale No doubt you have consulted our two books on the subject. Generaly worn across the head rather than for and aft by soldiers. Yes at various angles. Also the bicorns were bigger than other countries. link Stephen |
Dale Hurtt | 06 Dec 2016 7:27 a.m. PST |
Thanks all. Too bad the Ken Trotman books are not available via Amazon US [hint, hint]. :) |
summerfield | 06 Dec 2016 7:39 a.m. PST |
You can purchase from On Military Matters in America. link You will probably find with the exchange rate still cheaper to buy from the publisher in the UK. Please do not get me on about Amazon who are destroying publishing and authors let alone not paying taxes. Stephen |
138SquadronRAF | 06 Dec 2016 10:32 a.m. PST |
Dennis at OMM gives first class service. Mind you so does the UK publisher. |
spontoon | 06 Dec 2016 3:39 p.m. PST |
Not PC to show soldiers smoking! Might influence the young folks! |
jammy four | 06 Dec 2016 5:01 p.m. PST |
both the Spanish books are available from my site as well in the UK for world wide distribution …. Happy to sign copies ! regards Ged (Gerard Cronin) co-author gringo40s.com gringo40s.blogspot.com Gringo40s facebook and twitter |
Dale Hurtt | 07 Dec 2016 5:11 p.m. PST |
Darn! I did not realize OMM had them. I should have looked there too. I order a fair bit of stuff there. |