So far all the 1897 figures have had a strong basis in reality. However, an entry by Ross on his
Battle Game of the Month blog '
Got me thinking about an Irish
Free Army joining in my 1897 lot - green jackets and trousers with
yellow piping and wearing bearskins - sounds like an excellent
Fantasy... er, Alternate History, Brigade...'
The idea being that an uprising, possibly involving regular Irish Regiments, might have occurred if the French and Russians did invade England. Of course, even if this did happen then it is a bit unlikely that Rebels would have time to design a uniform and equip an army with them over the timescale of the war, but then we're talking fantasy anyway.
So... here it is, exactly as thought about.
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| What I haven't done yet is paint the rifle slings - not sure whether to leave them brown or go for either black or white. Probably go for black, still thinking about it. |
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| I did go for black webbing - white didn't seem right. Which is why I'm now in a quandary about the colour of the rifle slings. |
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| I was thinking about using French style uniforms but preferred the British style - it's the big furry hats that did it. However, I did consider red trousers with a yellow stripe - might consider that if there's another regiment produced. |
Some rum looking characters there. Hopefully the Rangers will do for 'em!
ReplyDeleteOnly time will tell.
DeleteOr possibly The Times will.
If the Russians or French had invaded and raised the Rebels then they would surely have expected to arm, train and supply them. Your chaps are probably sporting Russian army surplus but I'm sure their wives and sweethearts would have embroidered a standard or two for them.
ReplyDeleteYes, some Russians at the time did have sort of suitable uniforms so could be... though the thought of a Russian army having a surplus of anything other than manpower is probably a fantasy too far...
DeleteJudging by other examples of hasty army building in the 2nd half of the 19thC , kicking out a few hundred simple uniforms would not have taken long. Plain green with trim added sounds right in the context and look good. The bearskins were probably rifled from some warehouse. I like the black leather with the green. Might have been supplied by France? or been...requisitioned ... from a volunteer rifles armoury?
ReplyDeleteBlack belts just seemed right.
Delete