"French sword scabbards" Topic

What's the consensus on how to paint these?

I've seen these depicted, in both modern and contemporary sources, as black leather with brass fittings but also as steel with (usually) rather fewer brass fittings.

The figures I am painting are dragoons, cuirassiers and carabiniers i.e. for now I'm mainly about the heavy cavalry. However, I'll probably get to the same question re the lights eventually and the same question will arise.

There were a number of variations from all steel to brass and leather. Then on top of that you have variations for the officers as well. The best bet is to research each unit you want to paint and take it from there.

I agree.
Pretty 'uniform' mostly. Within corps.
'Straight' swords- leather; 'curved' sabes- metal. More so as later designs issued.
Officers- plain to fanciful!
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I think almost all French scabbards were steel, the lights with various portions of the metal cut away to reveal black leather beneath.

Errr, some of those cutouts were actually fish skin (cured), like many officers, sharkskin handles wrapped on metal tangs, retained by wrapped 'wire' strands around them. Very sexy stuff when you get into it ;-)

I just paint them black, with gold fittings…

I would go with Rousselot:
Cuirassiers

Dragoons



Chevauleger lancers

Carabiniers


Hussars



Chasseurs a Cheval

@ Prince of Essling

Wow, thanks!

He does seem reasonably consistent, apart from the two cuirassier plates.

First plate is for troopers, second is for officers.

Most interesting; in addition to the principal matter, I see from the fourth plate that Trumpeters of the 17th Dragoons had colpacks at a time, as well as reversed colours. There's a use for an extra BH trompette for French Chasseurs a Cheval (as long as the rank-and-file are all wearing overalls).