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REPUBLIQUE
GRAND-TACTICAL NAPOLEONIC WARFARE IN MINIATURE



French Uniforms
Regular troop types
Line Light
Grenadier Carabinier
Fusiler Chasseur
Voltiguer Voltiguer
Most French Army regular infantry was divided into two groups: Line and Light (In French: Ligne & Legere). Line infantry was officially supposed to operate in solid, close order formations, while light infantry was officially trained to deploy loose "skirmish" formations which relied on cover and movement. In reality, many line formations were trained by their officers to skirmish, and light formation often fought in close order, blurring the distinction between the two. Each regular army infantry battalion was composed of three troops types; elite, regular and light. In line infantry regiments, the elite troops were called grenadiers. In light infantry regiments, the elite troops were called carabiniers. The "regular" troops which always composed a majority of a battalions were called fusilers for the line infantry, and chasseurs for the light infantry. The light troops for both types of units were called voltiguers.


Link Key: The table below offers a color guide for basic uniform and equipment features. A logo indicates a link to a photograph of a painted wargaming figure for that troop type. A logo indicates a link to a photograph of a genuine uniform for that troop type. An logo indicates a link to a painting or graphic drawing of that troop type. An logo indicates that additional written information is also available, such as regimental lists of facing colors and other related items. Wherever the word "Regimental" appears below, it means that the facing color of a regiment is used for that item instead of a standardized color. In such cases, watch for the logo, which commonly links to lists of regimental facing colors.

Note : 8th Cuirassier and Mameluk paintings by Velimir Vuksic.

French Army Foot Troops - Empire
Troop Type Uniform & Equipment Features
Coat Turnbacks Pants Headgear Leggings Shoulder
Belts
Bedroll ¹ Special
Line Infantry Dark Blue White White Black Black White Grey or Tan  
Light Infantry Dark Blue¹ Dark Blue Dark Blue Black Black White Grey or Tan white piping
Artillery (foot) Dark Blue¹ Red Dark Blue Black White White Dark Blue red piping
Artillery Train Med. Blue¹ Dark Blue Grey Black None White None dark blue lapel
Guard Infantry Dark Blue Red White Black Black White Dark Blue  

French Army Foot Troops - Revolution & Republic
Troop Type Uniform & Equipment Features  
Coat Turnbacks Pants Headgear Leggings Shoulder
Belts
Bedroll ¹ Special ² Special
'91 Line Infantry White¹ White White Black² White White Lt. Grey regimental lapel mottled buff turban
'92 National Guard¹ Dark Blue² White White Black White White None future line infantry uniform white lapel

French Army Horse Troops - Empire
Troop Type Uniform & Equipment Features  
Coat Turnbacks Pants Headgear Shoulder
Belts
Shabraque ¹ Special ² Special
Mameluk None¹ none Red white turban² black ? red vest, bright colored shirt with red or green fez
Chasseur a Cheval Dark Green Regimental Dark Green Black White White
(sheepskin)
 
Hussar Regimental Regimental Regimental Black White White
(sheepskin)
 
Dragoon Dark Green¹ Regimental White or Tan Brass² White Dark Green regimental lapel brown turban, black mane
Lancer Dark Green¹ Regimental Dark Green Brass² White White
(sheepskin)
regimental lapel brown turban, black mane
Cuirassier Dark Blue¹ Regimental White or Tan Iron (silver)² White Dark Blue iron (silver) breast plate black turban, black mane
Carabinier (1805) Dark Blue¹ Red Tan Black Dark Yellow Dark Blue red lapel  
Carabinier (1812) White¹ Med. Blue White Brass² Dark Yellow Med. Blue brass breast plate red crest, silver plate
Artillery (horse) Dark Blue¹ Red Dark Blue Black White White
(sheepskin)
red braid  
 
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