FRENCH INFANTRY 1806-1812

A Line infantry regiment consisted of 5 battalions, each of 6 companies of 140 men. Each battalion theoretically numbered 840, but campaign losses mean that this was rarely achieved and sustained

The uniform details described below are the regulation versions. There were many variations and exceptions as regiments were slow to adopt new uniform regulations or adopted distinctive styles. One of the great advantages of using 6mm figures is that many of these can be ignored as they are too small to seen on the finished articles.

The coat was blue with red collar and cuffs with white piping. The turnbacks were white, piped red.

Waistcoats and breeches were white. Gaiters were black. Headgear consisted of a felt shako bearing a leather band on the top and an bottom, a brass diamond plate, a cockade, cords and coloured pompoms.

Four of the companies were designated as ‘Fusiliers’. Their uniform was described above. Each of the four companies were differentiated by different coloured pompoms: 1st = Green, 2nd = Sky Blue, 3rd = Orange and 4th = Violet.

Equipment belts were white. The cartridge box was of black leather. The rucksack was brown cowhide with a grey greatcoat strapped to the top

In principle, Drummers wore the same uniform, with tricolour, orange or yellow lace edging the facings and red ‘wings’ edged in white. Drums were brass with blue hoops and white belts and tensioners. A new livery was introduced in 1810, but was not in general wear until 1812. This was a green single breasted coat, red piped white collar and cuffs, green piped white shoulder straps and white turnbacks. A livery lace bearing the letter ‘N’, (aren’t you glad that you are doing 6mm?), edged the coat, formed chevrons on the sleeve and was laced across the chest.

The Grenadier company wore the basic uniform, adding red epaulettes. Their shakos bore red cords and pompoms. Some also added red bands to this. Both grenadiers and voltiguers carried a hanger, (small sword) and this was carried by a white shoulder strap on the left hip.

Voltiguers had a yellow collar, green or yellow epaulettes. Their shakos bore green or yellow pompoms, green cords and often top and bottom bands of yellow.

Light Infantry regiments wore uniforms of the same cut and design as the line. Their coats were blue, with blue lapels, turnbacks and cuffs all piped white. Collars and cuff flaps were red piped white. Waistcoat and breeches were blue. The shako had a gilt plate and green cords.

As with the Line regiments, there were elite companies in the Lights. These were the Carabiniers and the Voltigeurs.

Officers of both Light and Light regiments wore the same basic uniform as their men, adding a silver gorget. The bands on their shakos were gilt as were the cords. Pompoms were of company colour unless they were on the regimental staff, in which case they were white.