Light Infantry (1) - Frei Corps & Jager

Last updated 20/09/14

What should the range cover?

Some initial thoughts on light infantry. These moulds are still a long way off;  but it is worth thinking about what is wanted before sculpting begins.

There was a lot of minor variation in the dress of the light troops during the Seven Years War; in a conventional cast range this could warrant many different figures. However it is not practical to cover all these minor variations in this range, so the aim is therefore to produce the minimum number of moulds which will give a reasonable coverage of 'light' infantry, my current thinking is tending towards four sets, only the first three of which will be covered in the Prussians, Austrian and Russian releases:

• Frei corps (2 moulds) in western style uniforms and armed with musket/bayonet (discussed below)
• Jager (one mould) in western style uniforms armed with rifle (discussed below)
• Croats and pandour (2 moulds) in their distinctive more eastern dress (a later post)
• In the western theatre there are also the Scottish regiments in the British army (but they are a very long way off). 

This first post, which is intended to decide on the best poses for the range will only discuss the Frei Corps types. However a the Croats are not available in any form either in this range or previous ranges it might be worth putting those into production first.

Frei Corps

The frei corps are best covered with a set of bodies which are representative of all nations. These cannot be correct for all of them, so just reasonably close. - possibly similar to the Prussian line infantry, perhaps without the bread bag?

Most such troops would wear the tricorn, but there were exceptions such as the chap on the right with a casket (and in the French army the mirliton).

The figures can then also usefully be used to form the close order firing line for anyone who wants to do so.

Jager

The jagers carried a rifle which was shorter than a musket, and often wore boots rather than gaiters.

They are also often shown with lighter equipment than the frei corps and line, so perhaps dispense with both the haversack and bread bag.

The figure shown is an Austrian in a casket, a Prussian would be similar but wearing a tricorn.

Heads

The frei corps units generally wore the tricorn type of their line troops, but there were exceptions. Prussian Jager wore a tricorn similar to their musketeers, but the Austrians a distinctive casket. As far as I can see this is what needs covering:

Frei corps
 - Prussian tricorn
 - Austrian tricorn
 - Casket
 - Mirliton


Jager
 - Prussian tricorn
-  Casket

Poses

The poses need to be suitable for spreading out in a skirmish line. Also I would like to try and retain some of the the character of the old Holger Eriksson (HE) range.

There is no need for advancing figures as these are fully covered in the close order troops.

Initially I thought that three moulds, and six figures would be needed, but current feedback suggests that this could possibly done with just four figures, but not rule out doing six. My ideas are listed below.

Rank & File Firing

Holger Eriksson - PA23

Firstly I think the two classic firing poses similar to the HE originals. (there are similar figures in the Karoliners).

These two figures will also work well for anyone wanting to produce units of line infantry firing.

Holger Eriksson - PA24

Officer

Holger Eriksson - PA30

I have always liked the pose of the old HE standing figure (but the actual castings are not particularly good.). An updated figure similar to this, with the uniform  of a Prussian officer would be a valuable addition to the range and would also fit well in artillery and command groups.

Great Northern Wars - PADK101

Alternatively,  if  something a bit more dynamic is needed, raise the left arm similar to the Great Northern Wars figure,  and make the right hand able to carry sword, pole arm or musket?

However currently all 'votes' seem to be for the old HE figure.

Other options?

A standing musician, not sure if a drummer, trumpeter, fifer or hornist is most appropriate?

For the light troops it is worth adding a loading pose to add some variety into the skirmish line. PA already produce loading figures in their Rossbach and Karoliner ranges,It is probably more likely the the first figure with the ram rod in the right hand is more correct, but possibly with the musket angled forward?

Karoliner - PAS914

Rossbach -  PA51

Holger Eriksson - PA25

NCO/Standard Bearer.It might be worth making a standing NCO figure 'dual purpose' carrying either a standard or a pole arm. 

The figure pose could be similar to the HE standing musketeer, but with the right hand a bit higher to hold a flag or pole arm. Uniformed as the Prussian NCO

The figure could also be given a sponge or ram rod to find his way into a gun crew.

An infantryman priming his pan?

What to Make?

There have been some useful suggestions from Rahway and Ross; and I am wondering about only two moulds for the Frei Corps types, and then a mould for the Jagers, say:

    1.  Frei corps standing firing
    2.  Frei corps kneeling
    3.  Frei corps officer standing
    4.  Frei corps standing, one of:
             a.  NCO/Standard bearer standing
             b.  Loading
             c.  Priming pan
             d. Musician

    5. Jager kneeling firing
    6. Jager, one of
             a. Advancing
             b. Advancing at trail
             c. Loading
             d. Priming pan

These figures are still a long way off; however thoughts comments and ideas are welcome and I will update the page at intervals as any comments or ideas  come in.

Hungarians - after the red the BLUE

Hungarian Infantry

IR32 Forgach

These are cast from the test moulds. There are a few mistakes on the castings which have been corrected for the production moulds. The most obvious one being that the tricorns should have a pom-pom (so this is IR 32 which probably did not have one).

I think it's fair to say I went a bit overboard on the BLUE, but they are done now so I will have to live with them!

The Poses

The poses for the drummer and rank and file are the same as in the Prussians and Austrians, however there are new poses for three of the figures.

The new NCO with a halberd, but this is a separate weapon so can carry a sword or musket.

I think this is a very nice pose.

Similarly a new officer pose can carry an assortment of weapons.

(For the Russians we are considering a pose something like this, but with the left arm pointing, He could then be used to in the Prussians and Austrians for variety)

And finally the new standard bearer, we stayed with the same pose but made him an officer.

The flag is from Maverick models and is an early 'Hungarian' version with the Madonna on both sides.

(Again we are thinking of an officer with standard in the Russians so he can be used for variety in the other armies).

Mould Listing and Release Date

 I'm not sure of the mould listing or release date - I will let you know when I have more details.