VX0016

The set contains 60 figures represent Naopoleon´s Middle Guard, Fusiliers- Chasseuirs and Fusiliers-Grenadiers but can also be used for many other of Napoleon´s Elite units in campaign dress:

• 4 officers
• 4 standard bearers
• 4 drummers
• 16 firing line, firing, priming and loading
• 16 march attack with arms fully attached
• 16 either march attack or advancing at porte/charge

Of course any arm can be used on any figure, giving you the option to make many more positions than listed.

Who were the Middle Guard?

In 1806 Napoleon decreed the formation of 2 new Guard regiments, the ‘Fusiliers-Chasseurs’ and ‘Fusiliers-Grenadiers’. They were junior to the Old Guard Grenadiers and Chasseurs but not in fighting quality. Their uniforms were very similar to the Old Guard, however they wore shakos instead of Bearskin headdress. The main difference was the Fusiliers-Grenadiers wore white Epaulettes instead of the usual red worn by Grenadiers. (This looks very striking on the dark blue greatcoat!)

Unlike the Old Guard who were often kept in reserve, the Middle Guard took part in many actions. They distinguished themselves at Heilsberg against the ferocious Russian assaults in 1807, helped suppress the Spanish uprising in Madrid in 1808, and in 1812 heroically held open the lines of retreat for the army against the advancing Russians at Krasnyi during the Russian campaign.

The shattered regiments were rebuilt in 1813 and were heavily committed during the Leipzig campaign. They formed the cornerstone of the defence of France during 1814. Wherever they fought they won and helped steady the raw French conscripts.

What do you get in this boxed set?

You get 60 figures wearing campaign dress of greatcoats and covered shakos. There are pose options of marching, advancing and firing line, Plus there are officers, drummers and standard bearers (2 figure options for each command type). There are 64 heads in covered shakos showing the variety and character of expression you have come to enjoy and expect in Victrix sets.

What else can you use these figures for?

This figure set has a lot of versatility. We designed the heads to have the thistle shaped plume rather than just the pom-pom. This gives the figures a lot more flexibility to make other units of Napoleon’s Elite infantry on campaign. All you do is remove the top of the tuft to make the Middle Guard, Turin Velites and some units of Line Chasseurs. By leaving the tuft on you can make line Grenadiers, Line Voltigeurs, Tirailleurs, Chasseurs and Carabiniers.