Best Uniform

[Post Captain]

Who would you consider were the smartest looking troops of the Napoleonic wars? would it be the French Imperial guard grenadier, the Prussian garde du corps, the Russian lifeguards, the 95th rifles or the Polish lancers, or any other unit of that period. Don't forget they would have looked a bit different when on campaign.

[Consul]

Frankly, I was always impressed by the French cuirassiers and carabiniers. Sure, their breastplates and helmets were hopelessly outdated, but they were still incredible looking!

[Zouave]

My three favorite uniforms are:

The 2nd regiment of Lighthorse-Lancers of the French Imperial Guard, the famous Red Lancers.






French Carabiniers a cheval (Heavy Cavalry)






French Cuirassiers (Heavy Cavalry)

[Airchallenged]

I have to agree that those Red Lancers look pretty dashing.

I cannot thing of a favorite uniform.

[Guest]

As it happens, I like uniforms the same color I like my vehicles: White or Black. Something is really nice about a uniform that has a good cut and stands apart like that.


Austrian Grenadiers (I think that these particular ones, which I like, are in the Hungarian style though)


Prussian Hussars

I'm a big Hussar fan though, maybe the way Zouave has an affinity for his chosen type of soldier, I like the experienced and grisled look of the Hussar. Napoleon's Hussars didn't have as good a uniform but they looked pretty good too.

[Zouave]

I'm also a fan of Hussars, Swampwolf.

"News from the front" by Mark Churms. Chasseur a cheval of Napoleon's Guard Cavalry ( left ) discusses the latest information on the French Army's progress during the Austrian campaign of 1809, brought to the town by a fellow captain of the 9th Hussars.




Study of a gunner of the French Guard Horse Artillery, by Keith Rocco.

[Cambronnne]

My favorite uniform?
Um mine....
(See above)

After that, I think the cuirassier is the smartest looking one. Armor, though somewhat outdated was still impressive looking and useful.

[Canuckster]

I'm also a fan of Hussars, Swampwolf.

"News from the front" by Mark Churms. Chasseur a cheval of Napoleon's Guard Cavalry ( left ) discusses the latest information on the French Army's progress during the Austrian campaign of 1809, brought to the town by a fellow captain of the 9th Hussars.




Study of a gunner of the French Guard Horse Artillery, by Keith Rocco.

The coat slung over the left arm may have looked dashing but did they actually go into battle with it worn as such?

These are definately beautiful unifroms, I'm thinking about painting figures and most definately it will be Napoleonic but something I've always wondered as these unitorms must have been as cumbersome as all hell in battle. The hats alone must have been a nightmare, probably falling over the eyes at the most inappropriate times. Was there ever any consideration for less formal attire in consideration of more effective wear during battle? Or was esprit de corps the be-all and end-all?

[Miss Saigon]

Based solely on the pictures here I must say I think less is more. Therefore, I like the Scots Greys.

[Salinator]

Zouave.

This looks to be the most comfortable:

[Zouave]

The campaign uniform is different from the parade uniform

Important note: In my first post, I posted the parade and full uniforms of the Red Lancers.

Campaign or battle dress:




Trumpeters:

[Cap. Teancum]

Lot's of awsome paintings Zouave. Obrigado.

[Zouave]

Canuckster,

The coat slung over the left arm is called pelisse. The dolman and fur-edged pelisse were heavily braided parts of hussar's flamboyant outfit. The pelisse cost a little fortune ( the pelisse cost 216 francs and the whole uniform for infantrymen cost approx. 250 francs ). The pelisse was worn in several ways:

-On campaign: It was worn over the dolman when the weather was cold.
-On campaign: It was worn instead of the dolman.
-On parade, review, etc: Slung over the left shoulder.

But most often the fur-edged pelisse was left in depot, instead only the lighter dolman was worn. They became so damaged already during the first campaign ( 1805 ), that they were not taken by the rank and file. The cost of reparing the pelisse was high even for the Chasseurs a cheval ( light cavalry ) of the French Guard that only some officers could afford it. The Guard Chasseurs wore pelisses until 1805 campaign and at Austerlitz ( worn over dolmans ). During every next campaign only officers and some NCOs wore them.

This link will answer most of your questions.

http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/na..._uniforms.html

[Post Captain]

I much prefer the 95th rifles uniform, very smart when they are not on campaign.

[Zouave]

Lot's of awsome paintings Zouave. Obrigado.

De nada, ou como dizem em Portugal, năo seja por isso.