"Which shako for your American War of 1812 figures?" Topic

Do your American infantry have the early war (stovetop) shako or the later war (belgic) version? Or, do you have both in your collection?

It varies. When I have options, I like to have my line infantry in the late "tombstone" suitable for Lundy's Land and Chippewa, but I'm happy to have gun crews wearing fore and aft, and my rifles in the hunting shirt which requires the earlier shako. For regular (light) dragoons, there are no options. Militia infantry and artillery--again, where possible--are in top hats, and cavalry in Tarleton in reds and greens when I can.

The idea is to make each type as obvious as possible and not like British.

I went with Belgic for the US and Stovepipe for the British to help separate them (in case different coloured tunics wasn't obvious enough!)

Most of mine have the tombstone shako but I am not too hung up on that – when I get more US regulars I will get whatever takes my fancy at the right price.

@robert piepenbrink,

Perhaps you already know this, but just in case: The U.S. regular riflemen started the War of 1812 wearing the same pattern stovepipe shako as the line infantry. When the new "tombstone" type of shako was introduced for the line, the rifle uniform did not follow suit; but they did, at some point, get a new form of leather shako. My impression of it (based solely on illustrations)is that it was shorter and belled out more than the old shako, but either form is appropriate for use with the hunting frock, which was the summer uniform. Only the 1st Regiment of Riflemen is eligible to appear in the green wool winter uniform and the early form of felt stovepipe shako.

As to the original post, I like to use the felt stovepipe shako for the "old" infantry regiments (1st to 7th) as a distinction from the newer regiments, which I have wearing the leather "tombstone" shako. I also give the 1st to 7th the older coats with red facings and full lace trimming. American supply was such a mess that we seldom know exactly what a given regiment was actually wearing at any given time, and many regiments had several different "uniforms" in use at the same time. Therefore, I think such a mixture is justifiable, even if not demonstrable.

For the Americans, my 15mm forces have the Belgic shako, though since I do the Southern front most of my troops are in frock coats and floppy hats.
In my 25mm troops for skirmish battles, my American militia officers are mainly in the early felt bell shako. US regulars are in Belgic.

I use both and use them as to the year and particular battle according to the uniform information that I have researched.