French Light Infantry Companies pre-1800

All matters to do with gaming, painting and uniform information
Post Reply
Pikeman Nasty
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2014 4:33 pm

French Light Infantry Companies pre-1800

Post by Pikeman Nasty » Mon Nov 02, 2015 7:29 pm

Currently painting a unit of French Revolutionary/Early Line Infantry. Noticed that within the set, there are French Voltiguers (http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=1173). On my reading around their uniforms, there is little indication whether within line regiments, voltiguers during this earlier period still wore the earlier carabinier uniform (blue uniform and breeches, white piping, red facing), the same uniform, but with yellow/green facings as later light infantry (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/410883165979084978/, http://www.napolun.com/…/we…/napoleon/i ... oleon.html), or just merely the pointed normal line uniform, as obviously from 1800 onward, light infantry wore shakos. Basically what I'm trying to say (if any of this made sense), is what clothing pattern did French light companies in line units use pre-shako and pre-1806 issue?
User avatar
duc de limbourg
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:41 pm

Re: French Light Infantry Companies pre-1800

Post by duc de limbourg » Tue Nov 03, 2015 11:07 am

I thought that from 1791 up to 1804 (?) there were no voltigeur companies in the line battalions. At least not formally.
So they would wear informal dress so probably normal line dress with some additions (green/yellow plume with maybe green/yellow epaulettes, hunting badges etc).
User avatar
18th Century Guy
Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Posts: 493
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 10:47 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA U.S.A.
Contact:

Re: French Light Infantry Companies pre-1800

Post by 18th Century Guy » Thu Nov 05, 2015 11:09 pm

I believe the duc is correct. There weren't any 'official' light companies during that time period. The legere units would have had slightly different uniforms and headgear as well. Eureka makes a line of revolutionary figures with the right headgear during this period. Take a look at them to get an idea of what you'll need to do.
Greg
Post Reply