"Russian Infantry on the March Review" Topic

"The organisation of Russian infantry during the wars with Napoleon was complex and changed over time, but it basically followed the same pattern as the rest of Europe in having ‘musketeer' (later just 'infantry'), grenadier and Jäger formations. Grenadiers had originally been chosen largely by their above average size, (and Jägers as below average) but with the reforms of 1811 both these elites were chosen more on individual merit. Along with the increased status of being a grenadier, they were better paid than the ordinary infantry – 14 roubles a year instead of nine roubles 50 kopeks – so it was worth being a grenadier if possible. As we shall see, this set, like most of the others depicting Russian infantry of the period, contains only grenadiers, although it is an easy job to convert them into ordinary infantry.

The title tells us that these men are on the march, and for the most part that means holding the musket upright and resting on the left shoulder, which is fine. However there are also three poses of men in a more relaxed posture, with the musket sloped and resting more comfortably on the shoulder; one of these is even looking to the side as if talking to a comrade. So between them you can make different forms of marching troops, which is great, especially as previous sets might at best only include one marching figure. Every man has the same (left) foot forward, as do all the command figures in the bottom row, so everything matches up nicely. The musician is playing and the drummer beating his drum, which is a difficult pose to do well with a simple mould, but here it is probably about as well-done as it could be…"

Full Review here
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