"WSS French sergeants and their halbards" Topic

I have just finished painting up several units of 15mm French for WSS. One problem I had was deciding how to paint the fringe or tassle that decorates the sergeants' polearms. I have noticed that from historical examples, the colors red and gold were popular. Does anyone know if there was a standard or typical color for sergeants' halbard tassles in the French army?

Cheers!

Gallo

I have taken a look in my copy of "Flags and Uniforms of the French Infantry under Louis XIV, 1688-1714" by Robert Hall and cannot find any reference to halberd tassels. The few illustrations of sergeants' halberds seem to omit the tassels altogether.

Hall refers to Minister Louvois' 1682 order that officers should not put gold and silver lace on the clothes of their sergeants or men. However, he further mentions that there is documentation showing that distinctive dress for sergeants persisted until the 1700s for some regiments.

Given the widespread proclivity for colonels completely ignoring Ministry of War orders when it suited them, your sergeants could have no tassels, or tassels in gold or silver as per lace colour.

Hello DHautpol,

Thanks for looking into the matter. I find the lack of documentation to be somewhat encouraging. It leads me to believe that such small details were left up to the regimental colonels.

I'll be glad to finish up my (now 8) French battalions. After basing, I hope to photograph them. These are 15mm figures as seen many times before from other hobbyists. I am mixing Roundway, Dixon, Minifigs and one unit of Khurasan.

Cheers!

Gallo