"Why can't I start collecting the Imperial Guard?" Topic

Greetings all,
I have been a gamer for the better part of 40 years coming to historical 30 years ago. I have collected and sold off so many armies( something I rarely do now that I have a little more discretionary purchasing ability), its a bit depressing. I find myself having to rebuild collection.
Horse and Musket has always been my favourite period especially Napoleonics.
I am currently building a Russian army for my new clubs planned 1813 campaign next year. Also building a Union Corps for the current ACW campaign.
When I reminisce back to the early 90s the first thing that got me looking at gaming the period was the uniforms of Hussars with Busbies. This moved into a love of the horse Chasseurs of the guard. This quickly escalated into Napoleonics and the man himself. I have a soft spot for light infantry so then the Chasseurs a Pied became a favourite.
The conundrum: in all these years of playing Napoleonics and hundreds of game the Old Guard rarely make an appearance, I only remember a handful of times.
I find a deep want to collect the guard and have my own Napoleon. I think the only times apart from Waterloo where they actually saw combat was the 1813-1814 campaigns. Montmirail is just such a battle. This then will include the young guard. Am i crazy building such a specific force? I know in the end its up to me but I find it hard to justify such a vanity project.
Would you do it? I have no other French models at the moment

FM

FM, why not, indeed?

I have 2 Line Corps and a Cavalry Corps of Napoleonic French…and a rather large Imperial Guard (c.1812–1815).

Mine is 15 battalions of infantry (Old, Middle & Young) with the usual Guard cavalry and artillery.

On the tabletop they often appear as reserve artillery or cavalry formations, with perhaps a brigade of Guard infantry entering late to finish off some unfortunate Russians or Prussians—particularly in 1813–14 scenarios.

If you design your own scenarios, though, you can field them in large numbers in "what-ifs". I'm currently running a post-Waterloo campaign (the French won…).

A points system helps balance a battalion of Old Guard against something like Prussian Landwehr. The British are also good opponents as their infantry can stand up to them reasonably well. I use 'Valour & Fortitude' which really helps with balance. It's a rule set that *wants* you to field the Guard.

And of course the Russians had a substantial Guard as well.

They certainly get a run in my games—and they're so iconic it's hard not to collect them.

Guard in Reserve:
theminiaturespage.com

‌"TMP link

Seeing off cossacks:
theminiaturespage.com

‌"TMP link

Do it!

I have the entire Russian Guard of Borodino OOB. I use then in gamesbut then play only solos at home. I would suggest if time, funds are available do it.

Not sure that I'm aware of any French players that dont have some Imperial Guard in their collection?!

You'll find that the cavalry regiments and artillery companies of the Guard were frequently used throughout the period and the Young Guard also once they had been created. The Guard infantry were in action enough times during 1813, 1814 and 1815 to justify having them in your collection.

I would also add that it's a hobby, its your hobby and you can collect whatever you want.

Of course the chief attraction of collecting the Guard is simply that they are so iconic.

The bearskins, the artillery, the cavalry – they really do look impressive on the table. Even if they only appear as a reserve, they tend to become the focus of the battle once they start to move forward. And you said you had a Napoleon figure. What better than to place it in front of the serried ranks of "Grumblers"?

As someone once said, when the Guard advances everyone tends to pay attention!

I have been a Napoleonic miniatures gamer since about 1970; main interest the French army. Having built up reasonable numbers of French and Austrian 15mm units over the years, I acquired my first French Imperial Guard figures in the last five years, so it is never too late!
As Nick says, above, there are many gaming opportunities in the period 1813-1815, so go for it!

FM – I think I must warn you of course the real danger is that once you start collecting them, it's hard to stop.

Go for it! But while you must base to match your group(?) also look out for some rules like Charge! or Glidden's "Landing Party" series which take no account of qualitative differences, so you can, on your own, field a pure French Imperial Guard army against some suitably well-dressed opponents. Russian or Prussian guards, of course. But much to be said for Britain, where you can include riflemen, hussars and the ever-popular RHA.

Depending on the scale (and some slightly altered paint jobs) the Imperial guard of Napoleon's nephew in 1870 provides a bit more combat usage. Worth a look?

My Napoleonic collection us really in tatters. Much rebasing to do and I don't know where half of my French regulars are, but I will get back to them being mindful that the proportion of guard formations to line should be reasonable. I once read that the ratio should be one in nine. So, if you have 8 battalions of regulars ready to go, you shouldn't feel guilty about doing a battalion of guards.
And of course, it's your collection, so by all means, do what pleases you.

I started Nappy collecting for Waterloo, so of course Imperial Guard!

Not a single OG Grenadier or Chasseur unit…yet. My plan is finish the rest of the French Imperial era collection of miniature then paint the four OG units as the final touch. Maybe in five years…maybe. I have the Dutch grenadiers, all the Middle guard, three divisions of YG and all the Guard cavalry and artillery painted. Plus over 5,000+ non guard French line and French foreign units. I paint at roughly 1:100 scale so my infantry units are mostly 6-9 fig battalions. Have French line for 1805, 1807, 1812 era uniforms plus a somewhat completed French republican army of 1600+ painted miniatures.

So place me in the no painted OG infantry camp.

I have large Guard Corps in 18 and 28mm, they have made quite a few appearances over the years, including, of course, the legendary Perry Miniatures Yogic flying Young Guard,

Tally Ho!

Do it. My first Napoleonic Army was Russian and after about two Corps of regulars I built the much more fun to paint Guard.

The key is to NOT Start with the Guard. Having them is OK, just need a couple Corps of reulars first

Go ahead, live a little

As has been mentioned, their use is relatively limited. But, if you're going to have them, you need them all. One of the wargame difficulties with the French army is that you don't penny packet the good stuff, heavy cavalry too. If you have any, you have all of it. No proportionality to it.
Contrast this with the early opponents, a battalion of grenadiers or a regiment of heavies here and there. Great variety for the wargamer. IRL the concentration made it more effective.

My first plastic HO scale figures were Airfix Imperial Guard.
I watched Waterloo and saw the Guard make the final advance and stand in square until their bloody end!
The first unit I ever painted for my French Napoleonic army were Minifig French Imperial Guard marching, then I painted Napoleon.
My French army now contains every guard unit you can imagine, from the Grenadiers to the Mamelukes.
My suggestion is to have all the guard you want, not every game will be historical, some will be a scenario made up by you or someone else, and if you can pick your own troops, "Send in the Guard!"