There are a couple of figures in the Perry Napoleonic French Battalion Command pack whose function I am not sure of. It's not a terribly good photo but hopefully it shows enough - essentially he's wearing a metal helmet with fore and aft plume and carries a halberd with a pennant.
Apart from looking terribly smart can anyone tell me what this chap does? Why are there 2 of them? What colour is his flag? In fact any links would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Apart from looking terribly smart can anyone tell me what this chap does? Why are there 2 of them? What colour is his flag? In fact any links would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Could he and his mate be Potre-Aguile, basically guards for the eagle. Spelling might be off as I would need to pull books out.
ReplyDeletePaul
Mark/Paul
DeleteThanks. Much appreciated. In a representative Battalion of 24 figures I guess I'll go with one. Two would rather overwhelm things.
What you've got there is is a member of the Eagle (or Colour) guard. One each side of the Eagle carried by the 1st Battalion of a regiment or one either side of the Colour in the 2nd/3rd Battalions. I think (but don't quote me) that the corinithian helmet may have been something peculiar to the 1st Battalions but not universal. As for the pennant on the halberd.... one red and one white I believe. Typing this at work a long way from my books!
ReplyDeleteMark - please see above comments.
DeleteThey are Porte-aigles, they were veterans dedicated ti protect the regimental flag, see color plate :
ReplyDeletehttp://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/planche_empire.php?uniformes=InfanterieLigne(GardeDrapeau).png
Thank you, Max. There are a number of different unit flags or markers in a Battalion and its hard to know what they are all for. Link much appreciated.
Delete