Crimea - Russian Infantry Regiment Test
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 19 окт 2024
- This video shows off the first Russian test figures for my Crimean War project in 28mm.Special thanks to @RalphAstley @WarwickGeorge @thekrausecollection15mmmin53 for their comments and assistance.
Just to add to the subject. During the Crimean War Russian Jägers typically wore black leather straps and belting. The black leather equipment was a characteristic feature of many Russian infantry units at the time, including Jägers. This contrasted with the white crossbelts worn by regular infantry (line regiments), which often used whitened canvas or leather.
The Jägers were distinct as a specialized force meant for skirmishing, scouting, and operating in difficult terrain, and their darker belts were more practical for their role in field operations, offering better camouflage compared to the more conspicuous white belts of the regular line infantry.
There are a few notable sources that provide information on the uniforms and equipment of Russian soldiers during the Crimean War, including the Jägers that I used for painting. These can only help to corroborate or cross reference details about their use of black leather belts and straps. I just ran with this 🫣
1. "The Russian Army of the Crimean War 1854-56" by Philip J. Haythornthwaite
- This book provides an in-depth look at the Russian army's organization, uniforms, and equipment during the Crimean War. Haythornthwaite describes how Russian Jägers and other light infantry units were equipped with **black leather accoutrements**, while regular line infantry often had white belts. The black belts were practical for field conditions, especially for skirmishing roles, which aligns with their light infantry duties.
2. **"Uniforms of the Russian Army During the Crimean War" by Robert Wilkinson-Latham**:
- This work outlines the variations in uniform across different branches of the Russian army. The Jägers are noted for having **black leather gear**, which distinguished them from regular infantry who had canvas or white leather belts.
3. **Osprey Publishing's Men-at-Arms Series, particularly "Armies of the Crimean War"**:
- These publications are widely respected for their detailed illustrations and research on military uniforms and equipment. In these texts, Russian Jägers are often depicted with **black leather crossbelts** and cartridge boxes, contrasting the white belts of other units.
To find contemporary sources from the 1800s that describe Russian uniforms during the Crimean War, including Jägers’ equipment, you might turn to military manuals, reports, or eyewitness accounts from the period. Some of these sources offer a more direct look at how soldiers were outfitted during the war. Here are several suggestions for texts and types of documents from the 19th century that might help corroborate uniform details like the black leather belts for Jägers:
### 1. **“*Russisches Militärwesen*” by Karl von Reinhard** (1855)
- This book, written during the Crimean War, covers various aspects of the Russian military, including organization, equipment, and tactics. It includes descriptions of different infantry units, which could provide insights into Jäger uniforms.
### 2. **British Army Reports and Eyewitness Accounts**
- Officers and soldiers from the British side wrote extensively about their encounters with Russian forces during the Crimean War. Many of these reports were published during or shortly after the war. For example:
- **“The Crimean War from First to Last” by General Sir Richard Airey (1861)**: A firsthand account of the conflict, which includes descriptions of Russian troops.
- **William Howard Russell’s dispatches** for *The Times* (1854-1856): These were some of the earliest war correspondences and provide vivid descriptions of Russian forces, including their appearance.
### 3. **Military Art Journals and Almanacs**
- Periodicals such as the **“Journal of the Royal United Service Institution” (RUSI)**, which began publication in 1831, often included articles on foreign armies. They sometimes published details of the Russian army’s organization and uniforms during the Crimean War period.
### 4. **Uniform Plates from the Period**
- Illustrated books and prints from the 19th century, such as **Knötel’s “Uniformenkunde”** (published in parts from 1880 onward), are invaluable primary sources for understanding uniforms of the era. Although published after the Crimean War, it
Thank you for the above Kevin, I think the main issue I have faced has been the inconsistencies in the sources. For example, McClellan states that Furashkas were the same colour as the greatcoat, but the general consensus appears to be that they were dark green. I don't think that precludes brown/grey furashkas made of the same fabric, certainly need could dictate that compromises were made.
Specifically regarding Osprey, I am highly dubious of those as a source, since pronouncements are made in them, but they aren't referencing a specific source, which makes it difficult to follow up. So, I am left to wonder, if the pronouncement actually based on a firm source, or more an expression of consensus? The Jaeger belts are a good example, logically it would seem they were black, but several plates and descriptions seem to contradict that. Now, it might be that captured Jaegers might have been taken wearing white belts, again due to supply exigencies, but that on paper they were supposed to wear black, ideally.
I'll delve into the sources that you mentioned, and see if I can get a firmer answer that satisfies me. Again, this is all rather silly on my side, absolutely cop to that.
I realize it was lengthy sorry. Did not mean to compete with our friend from England in length 😂😂😉
@@ZenMiniPainting don’t forget, that you are not working on your PhD in Russian military science. Your painting, toy soldiers for your enjoyment. Sometimes I make mistakes but nonetheless, I’m painting, enjoying myself, and if something was red, white, yellow or blue, especially in minutia things of soldier straps don’t fret. It’s one thing that artistic choice versus painting French line infantry in green coats and Russian line infantry in red coats. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I certainly am not on me.
You are of course correct, Kevin. But that doesn't stop me from stressing over the details. I have a LOT of Russians to paint....
What's your current thinking on why the sgt. of the Moscow regiment in the later Osprey is shown with black crossbelts? I am honestly bemused, given that they are the 1st regt of the 1st brigade, 17th Division. This is why a Prussian model suggests itself - this guy could be from the fusilier btn.
I am inclined to ignore the Moscow IR plate as a basis for the rest of the army since he is wearing what appears to be the Caucasian influenced belts. Mollo dicusses it, and it seems that the Caucasian uniform developed for more comfort, but also towards more field friendly colours. The Moscow regiment and I think Butrysk, sported this modified uniform, which includes a waistbelt with a bayonet frog, and a single crossbelt. It seems that the belt colours changed with the design of the belts. Mollo, pg. 36 " White leather equipment was blackened".
Based on the Osprey description of the plate, it appears that these regiments served in the Caucas, but didn't fully shift their uniform, only adopting elements of it, and dumping those parts that proved cumbersome, such as the Pickelhaube.