"Tor I Italus, Auxilia Ballistarius Tormentum." Topic
5 Posts
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Tango01  | 07 Nov 2018 3:45 p.m. PST |
Cool! From Mierce Miniatures link Main page
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Amicalement
Armand
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| Lord Hill | 07 Nov 2018 3:46 p.m. PST |
I often see 28mm figs of French serjeants carrying their muskets on their right shoulder (while other ranks carry on the left). On the other hand, Calpe French figures shoulder their muskets on both sides. Are there any regulations from the time that state anything about this? Is the serjeant/right side thing just an easy way to identify figures, or is it based on any historical source? |
| Artilleryman | 08 Nov 2018 2:20 a.m. PST |
The carrying of the musket in the right hand was a common drill for sergeants in most Napoleonic armies. (I believe it was referred to as 'L'arme comme sergent' in France.) This did help make the sergeants stand out and there may have been another practical reason which has been lost in the mists of time. Interestingly, during the AWI/Revolution, officers carrying muskets, a common practice, carried them in the right hand. Regarding the Calpe figures, I believe that many of the sets of French infantry represent them 'marching at ease' and therefore portray the muskets carried 'any old how'. Hope that helps. |
IronDuke596  | 08 Nov 2018 10:20 a.m. PST |
Another reason was to keep their sword (worn on their left side)unobstructed. This is the same reason that British Sergeants wore the haversack and water bottle on their right side vice the normal left side for corporals and below. |
| Lord Hill | 10 Nov 2018 3:30 a.m. PST |
Artilleryman and IronDuke thank you very much. That is really helpful. |
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