"1809 french infantry in coats and bicorns" Topic

Hi
I would like to know were any french regiments fighting in 1809 wearing their overcoats? i am familiar with that look for later years but in 1809 also – at the time of the main campaign?

also were any units still wearing bicorns in that period?

I imagine that the greatcoat issue would be in part related to weather – and as the War of the Fifth Coalition took place April to October, might not be too common – but, then again, they're your minis and the Grande Armee was pretty big

On the bicorn issue, though, as I recall by 1809 pretty much all the line and light infantry were in shakos- there is a quote that I recall from a French officer (can't remember who) about "no more white uniforms, no more bicorns" in reference to the 1809 campaign

That was Suchet, in the Peninsular in 1809.

I decided that french infantry in 1809 had bicornes, as they look better, and i was simply tired of chakos.
The same with the austrians. They got the raupenhelmet. Looks cooler.
My figures, my choice.

My favorite period is Napoleonic.
I have huge collections, but refuse to make a specific army for each sub period so I just go with my favorite uniform per army.

regards
Russ Dunaway

Hiya

Certain there would have been French units in greatcoats at the start of the campaign, given the weather! So not a problem to include if you so wish. Some troops seem to have worn them regardless. Less sure on the hats, I believe that most of the Army in Germany was more uniform than say the 1807 campaign and so would have been in shakos. The Saxons still worn their hats though! If you already have figures in hats then use them anyway, if your going to acquire, the shako is the way to go IMHO

Its an interesting campaign which Im workin on at the moment, building small armies of French and Bavarians v the Austrians – mainly with Perry, Vitrix and Hat 28mm and a few Eagle figures for good measure.

cheers

I'm collecting a variety. I'm perfectly happy in any given battle to have shakos alongside hats. Where I do multiples is my hat regiments get an extra stand with a flag so I can field either Revolutionary or Imperial (for Demi-brigades or regiments. The early revolution is its own weird thing with blancs, bleus, and Chasseur green)

I field units, battalions or regiments in similar uniform variations. I do use greatcoats.