#8013 French Horse Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard

Dated: August 24, 2003.

The Grenadiers a Cheval were the senior cavalry regiment of Napoleon's Imperial Guard and one of the most prestigious formations in the French Army. Their origins went back to the mounted guard of the French Directory, which later became part of the Consular Guard. When Napoleon established the Imperial Guard in 1804, the Horse Grenadiers became its senior heavy cavalry regiment and formed part of the elite Old Guard.

Box

Admission to the regiment was restricted to experienced soldiers of proven ability and conduct. The Horse Grenadiers were distinguished by their tall bearskin caps, dark blue coats, white breeches and powerful black or very dark horses. Their imposing appearance led to the nickname "the Giants," while their dark mounts were associated particularly with Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bessieres, commander of the Guard cavalry.

Sprue

Like much of the Old Guard, the regiment was normally kept close to Napoleon as a battlefield reserve and was not committed lightly. At Austerlitz in 1805, the Horse Grenadiers joined the Guard cavalry attack that helped defeat the Russian Imperial Guard. Their most celebrated action came at Eylau in 1807, when they participated in the enormous cavalry assault ordered to relieve the pressure on the French centre. During the confused fighting, Colonel Louis Lepic famously rallied his men under Russian fire before leading them forward again.

Figures painted by Eric Williamson

The regiment also served at Essling and Wagram in 1809, throughout the Russian campaign of 1812, and in the campaigns in Germany and France during 1813 and 1814. At Hanau in 1813, the Guard cavalry helped open Napoleon's line of retreat after Leipzig. Re-formed during the Hundred Days, the Horse Grenadiers fought in their final campaign at Waterloo in 1815, where they were committed during the repeated French cavalry attacks against the Allied infantry squares.

Painting guide - By Ted Schulz
All colors are Testors unless otherwise stated.
BODY--COLOR
coat, collar--sea blue 1172
pants--dark earth 2054
coat front, belt, straps, gloves, cuffs--white
OFFICER (epaulettes,tassle,hat top), buttons, belt buckle, strap buckle, scabbard, sword handle--gold
hat, boots, collar center, pouch--black
epaulettes&tassle--mixed orange
hair, gun--brown ital. dark 2111
gun barrel--gun metal 1795
face--flesh
chin strap, hat right side tassle, pouch emblam--gold
plume, coat trim, hat top--red 1150
sword--steel
HORSE--black
blanket & roll--sea blue 1172
blanket & roll trim--mixed orange
roll top--red 1150 & white
saddle--leather 1736
straps--black
bit--steel
buttons--brass
base--green 2029

This set represents the Horse Grenadiers in four mounted combat poses, with swords drawn or carbines in use. The box also contains additional carbines, which can be fitted to these figures or used with other suitable cavalry sets. The figures can be combined with our other French Guard cavalry, infantry and command sets to create Napoleon's Imperial Guard in battles from Austerlitz and Eylau to the campaigns of 1813-1814 and Waterloo.