"1809 Austrians great coat worn bandolier fashion?" Topic

Hi all, whilst it is very common to see Prussians and Russians portrayed wearing their greatcoats slung over the shouder,I hadn't until yesterday seen an image of Austrians wearing them this way. Does anyone have any knowledge to share on this?
Thanks.
Alan

I have seen the odd image of Austrian infantry wearing their coats bandolier fashion as well. My belief is that it may not have been common but it did happen.

The images I have seen with the coat slung over the shoulder (however these are all modern renditions…):

etc, etc

This is what Rawkins has to say on the subject:

"When not worn the greatcoat was generally folded and strapped to the top of the pack to hang on the left hip before 1806 or on the top of the back pack after these became common issue from 1799. It was general practice for the Austrian army to leave greatcoat and sometimes even the packs with the regimental baggage train when going into battle prior to 1806, however, it is noted that during the 1809 campaign and subsequent campaigns, many infantry units adopted the practice of rolling the greatcoat and wearing it over the right shoulder in the Prussian fashion as an added protection against sabre-cuts."

You'd want the roll over the left shoulder – more wool between the enemy bayonet and your heart

A right handed cavalryman would mostly strike downwards on his right towards the right shoulder of the infantryman, hence wearing it that way. A rolled up coat would afford *some* protection against a cavalry slash, but very little against a bayonet thrust.

Cheers,
John

it may be a trend in 1809, however I cannot share the conclusion of Rawkins, I did not encounter any images showing Austrians in combat withtout back bags.

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Surprised by Rawkins' commment re the Prussians. I have never seen them wearing a rolled coat/cloak over anything but the LEFT shoulder. Would it not interfere with firing one's musket if over the right side?

Now cavalry are generally shown wearing their cloaks over the right shoulder, but that I suspect is to protect from sabre cuts from a mounted opposition. A right handed cavalryman will generally strike to his right, if given a choice, and equally therefore tend to select an opponent on that side. Longer reach and not working across his body and the horse's head/neck.

Russian Infantry usually also over the left shoulder, but in my view it would depend also about the length of the greatcoat – in case of being short, a greatcoat over the left shoulder might interfer with the cartridge pouch.

Interestingly, primarily French cavalrymen thrust with their swords/sabers in order to wound or kill their opponent with the sharpened point of the weapon.

An infantryman warding off cavalry with his bayonet will have his left shoulder forward, so it makes sense that the greatcoat would be draped over that shoulder (besides the aforementioned interference with shooting).

Good day all, just today at Salute Fizzer Johnson's men of matal are showing their new Austrians, some with greatcoats worn bandolier fashion, over left shoulder. I wish AB would do these too.
Regards
Alan.

Fizzer Johnson's Men of Metal should have the first of our Austrian Infantry range ready for dispatch mid May, they are available for pre order on the website now.

We will indeed shortly have available a campaign look for this range as we currently have for our French and our Peninsular War British. We will include a blanket roll over one shoulder.

Our figures will sit well alongside the larger 15mm/18mm brands. Check out our Facebook post from 27th September 2022 for a useful set of comparison pics.

We're expanding our range as fast as we can, The Austrians being just one exciting strand of many more on the work bench.

Darren
aka Fizzer Johnson