Prussian Guard Grenadiers 1870

The latest addition to the 1870 project.
A regiment of Prussian Guard Grenadiers with feldmutze.

Figs are North Star 1866, flags are GMB.

The Guards getting ready to storm St. Privat.

Detail: The North Star 1866 range offers high diversity to the range, and special character packages. For instance this Prussian soldier smoking on his pipe to calm his nerves while waiting in the charge.

Wall set

Inspired by the classic defence of the town and church yard of St Privat, I bought this wall set at Salute 2011. Finally got around to painting it too...

A last stand...

Inspiration

Inspiration

Battle Booklets

Just got these beauties in the mail. Finding such detailed and specialized books on specific battles and campaigns of the 19th century is a rare treat. The Continental Wars Society has published a range of high quality and very affordable booklets. 

Bought the following copies of the range:

- Montebello 1859

- The Battle of Nachod 1866

- Langensalza 1866

- The Royal Bavarian Army in the Campaign of 1866

- The Battle of Froeschwiller 1870

Containing uniform plates and detailed battle maps, these books are written by enthusiasts for enthusiast . To arrange the purchase, I've been in contact with the very helpful author of "Montebello" and the Society representative, Ralph Weaver, who can be contacted by way of e-mail on: ralphcws@hotmail.com

Now, I'm off to my couch with a cup of coffee and a good book!

Ouch...

From the new exhibition at Les Invalides in Paris. This Carabinier cuirass was taken from the field of battle at Waterloo. Guess this poor fellow has sung his last vers of the Marseillaise...

Spahi project - 1870

Gathering inspiration for my coming Spahi unit.

These elite Arab horsemen were a part of the integrated African contingent in the regular French army of the Second Empire. They were courageous to the brink of madness, being the unit within the army awarded the most Legion D'honneurs.

I have bought some really nice arab horsemen from Artizans range that will serve the purpose. 

Can't wait to get started.

7th Magdeburg Cuirassiers - 1870

The 7th Magdeburg Cuirassiers formed the core punch in the cavalry brigade participating in what would later be known as "von Bredows Death Ride", as they desperately tried to cover the Prussian left flank by attacking French artillery and infantry head on at the battle of Mars-la-Tour on August 16th 1870.

This probably being one of the last times in recorded history when heavy cavalry played a significant and splendorous role on a battlefield, as well as one of the only battles to my knowledge in the campaigns of August 1870, when the French actually outnumbered the Prussian - but still lost the day...

Figures are from the Foundry Franco-Prussian range.

Prussian Guard Grenadiers - 1870

This is the first in a planned series of many Franco-Prussian units in my paint shop.
Couldn't resist the all new GMB flags, and nice Northstar figs.
Will give them some French counterparts soon in the form of Spahi cavalry. Exotic.