Saxon Guard Battalion 1813

I'm struggling to maintain the blog as anyone reading this will have guested. Doing plenty of stuff, mostly WW2 in 20mm, lots and lots of building plus painting. I have recently finish this Battalion. I have a few videos in youtube of what I've been working on if anyone is interested.

Small limits in the technology I use and lack of time to get on the laptop hold me back from using blogger more, problems mostly with downloading/uploading pics on my phone and problem with blogger app on iPad air that only shows half my post when editing.

I've completed a Russian Jäger battalion, 5 figures away from completing a Pavlov battalion and half way through another Russian jäger battalion.

Anyway, sorry for the odd post.
Happy wargaming!

Prinz Clemens 2nd Battalion

So I have at long last finished another Saxon battalion. This is the 2nd battalion of the Prinz Clemens regiment. I believe the 1st Saxon battalion I painted was the 1st battalion of this regiment so that's the regiment completed.

A wee video on the finished bits and what else I have on the go.

I've added in an NCO to the battalion converted from the newer AB French set. He's a fair bit bigger than the older Saxon range however he still fits in pretty well.

I've again tried to give a bit of variety to the unit by doing different colours of trousers and mixing up my shades of white on the uniforms and belts. 

I also added in a converted officer in the blue/grey uniform that was apparently frequently used on campaign.  I started off a bit too warm on it and I'm not 100% happy how he turned out, however within the battalion he'll mingle and do fine.  

What next? Well I've cleaned up another Saxon battalion and I'm painting some Saxon skirmishers and an ADC that I've converted. 

Saxon Commands 1

Well I should really be posting pics of a completed Saxon battalion however I caught the bug to push on with some Saxon command types to lead the troops.

Not so long ago I spotted on a youtube channel that Peter at Calpe had released 28mm upper command troops for his Saxon 1813 range and I also heard mentioned that there was a Peter Bunde colour plate to go along with them.

It had been in my mind for some time to do some conversions to create my own Saxon brigade and upper command figures seeing as there are no appropriate figures in 18mm or at least not in the AB range.

The finished figures are not 100% perfect in uniform but close enough for me and they are not all exact brigade commanders but officers that I thought would be kicking around the brigade and divisional command groups. The calpe commands are aimed at 1813 when the rank of the commanding officers was apparently a lot lower after the incredible loss of life in 1812.

This dude is an inspector of reviews next to a mounted officer of the Niesemeuchel regiment. He has the silver/white metal buttons and fittings of that rank.  

This grand chap is obviously a mounted Saxon guard officer with a converted AB French officer turned into an officer of the Saxon royal general staff.

I'm very happy how these guys came out, the head swaps look pretty good especially as some of the bodies were quite large so finding a head to match wasn't so easy. I was interested to see that in 1812-13 the Saxon upper command were wearing the bicorne shoulder to shoulder. I had assumed that this was the pre 1810 style as there are a number of colour plates showing it worn in the later french fashion of front to back? I did converted a brigade command a number of years ago in that style.

Anyway I have enough done to get me started so I'm gonna move into something until I need to finish the rest.

Hope everyone is enjoying the hobby at the moment, happy wargaming!!!

Saxon Raabe M1810 Artillery

Can't believe this is my 1st post of the New Year. A belated happy new year to everyone!!!

I've been busy painting and I'm very happy to say I managed to get a long neglected project finished.

I can't remember how long ago it was when I had the idea of converting my own Saxon guns? Well, I'm glad to say I finally got the buggers done!!!

 I used the AB French artillery in bardin uniform with conversions to the Shakos to give a more Saxon look. Not perfect but they will do me fine.

 Bases are finished in my usual fashion with tufts and flowers as if they have just set up.

Wee close up of the Saxon badge, I also added a few shako covers. The uniforms were done with Andrea miniatures greens and I've explained the process on the video above.

Did a good bit of converting on the guns, not something I'd like to do again but it was fun and didn't take to long when I got into the swing. The guns were from the AB French gun range.

I had planned on an ochre/ochre brown finish to the metalwork however Kawe of Westfalia Miniatures assured me the colour would have been a bright yellow similar to the museum pieces so I went for that, they look fine. 

Really glad to have them finished and a massive thanks to Dr Stephen Summerfield and Kawe for creating my interest in Saxons of the Napoleonic period!!! Stephens book on Saxon artillery and the Westfalia figure range have inspired my small but growing Saxon army and they have also been very kind in answering my many daft question and constantly keep me motivated in Napoleonics 🤗

I have also completed a couple of French artillery batteries so I'll post some pics soon plus I've started converting my Saxon Grenadiers of the Guard for 1813.

Happy Wargaming!!!

Saxon Von Polenz

Sorry for the lack of updates, I kinda lost the passion for blogging as I don't really have the time to type posts as well as paint so the posts has given way a bit. I do try to keep up with everyone's blogs but I miss a lot. It's maybe also the success of blogs as there are so many excellent blogs to keep track of now. 

I did manage to get a unit finished recently, my Saxon von Polenz cavalry regiment that I started a good while ago and have stop started a few times. I have lost the love for  them a few times which is unfortunate as it's not a difficult uniform to paint. 

The figures are from AB and are lovely however I have to say were a real challenge to clean and continued to be.

However they are done now and look good based up. 

The von Polenz regiment is a very pretty 1, along the lines of the fancy pants French with the wolves teeth saddle of early Prussians or Russians. Very colourfully yet simple at the same time. 

This will be 1 of 3 Saxon light cavalry regiments I'll be doing. the hussars will be next although again looking at the figures I'm put off by the amount of clean up needed around the legs and saddle.

I've been considering dropping some detail work on my painting as on the tabletop it just isn't seen. I'll be having a good think about it as I would like to add a lot more painted figures to my collection over the years.

Anyway that's them done, another 1 ticked off and I'm pleased how they came out in the end.

Hope everyone is enjoying their current projects and hopefully get something else painted up in November. 

Happy Wargaming!!!

Saxon Light Infantry Complete

I've had these guys sitting around finished for a good while now with just the basing needing ticked off, thankfully over the past couple of days I managed to fit them in and so they are the newest recruits to my Napoleonic collection. 

Very happy how they have turned out overall. I like the shades of green however I have never really been 100% happy with the shine that the Foundry paints produce compared to Vallejo, Andrea or even GW yet the shades when varnished look very good.

It's really nice to see how the conversions have turned out, the calf skin covers are maybe my favourite as from a distance they say Saxon more than anything else. The buttons and ticking material also looks pretty good to my eye so definitely nice touch to the unit.

Like a Bavarian light battalion I did earlier I feel the firing line works well and I definitely regret leaving out a few figures from the Bavarian line as suggested by a fellow gamer. To me a firing line looks best when there are plenty of troops in it and there is a lot happening. 

1 of my favourites in the line is the converted Austrian casualty set, they fit in as Saxons very well.

In this pic are 2 musicians, they were a bugger as just before I started to paint I spotted that instead of wings they should have epaulettes. They were a pain and a little rushed, however they will do fine!!!

The mounted officer, I took the white plume from the Peter Bunde plate, probably should be a green plume but who cares!!!

I pinched the idea of the hunting horn on the shako cover from a lovely painted 28mm figure and the Westfalia plates. Apparently the 1st regiment had the pompom colours reversed so these guys are the 1st battalion of the 2nd regiment.

The little casualty figures really add a lot to the battalion so thank goodness Mr Barton sculpted them!!!

A wee close up of the ticking material

A well shot up base!

My Saxons so far, only 6 battalions strong, hopefully I will continue to add to them over the coming year!!!

Thanks for taking the time
Happy Wargaming!!!

Von Rechten 2nd Battalion

As promised here is a little post on my latest Saxon battalion plus a few pictures of my army so far. I'm happy to say I now have a full brigade of infantry, if a bit confused with different facing colours. At least they will be able to fight as a brigade until I sort out more battalions!

Again I have made a little video above or if you would prefer to see the pics only please look below.

So this is my very small Saxon army at the moment, 5 battalions (4 line and 1 grenadier). plus a foot battery (minus guns) and a brigade command. I'm very happy with them so far.

My 3 newest battalions

So this is my latest battalion finished, 2nd battalion von Rechten regiment.

I have added a few figures in ticking material through the battalion and I'm really pleased how that turned out.

I also added in a good number (maybe to many?) with grey overalls.

The mounted officer for this battalion is from the new French line with a head swap from a Spanish ADC. It's good to have a new variation to the Saxon mounted officer (thanks to John B for helping me find alternatives!)

There area a couple of new poses in the Saxon line the chap in the ticking trousers is 1 and needed a little work on his neck but when done he is an interesting figure pose. 

I have 2 more yellow faced battalions to do for my 1813 brigades so I'm glad I'm comfortable with my colours for making the yellow.

With these guys finished off I have decided to move onto light cavalry.

I have cleaned up a regiment of von Polenz light cavalry and have started my test figures. Their clean up was tough going with a great deal of thick extra metal between the back of the legs, scabbard and saddle cloth and a thin vine of metal running down the back of some legs, most I've ever seen on AB figures. I have them sorted now and have them all undercoated.
It's such a pretty uniform I'm really looking forward to painting them!!!

Hope everyone has a lovely Easter and Happy Wargaming!!!

Von Liebenau Grenadier Battalion

The past couple of days when I had an hour or 2 I've been finishing off the bases of my von Liebenau grenadier battalion for 1812. I apologise about the picture quality as I'm just starting to get to know our little pink digital camera again since picking up a new laptop. Those of you who know Saxons of the period will know that for 1813 I can add in 2 companies of grenadiers from the yellow faced regiments to make 1 of the combined grenadier battalions and that's what I plan to do at some point this year. 

This is my 4th Saxon battalion finished and I'm coming close with a battalion from the von Rechten battalion so if I can get that ticked off that will technically be a full brigade. I say technically as I have went astray with the facing colours doing battalions from all 4 brigades. I do plan to correct this over the coming year. 

I'm also looking for an alternative to the 1 mounted saxon officer pose and I think the new French mounted commander mayfit the bill although I'm not 100% sure who will make the best Saxon head swap victim???

This is an NCO from the new French line with a Saxon grenadier head pinned in place, I think he works pretty well in his new role.

Now seeing the battalion all based up I'm pretty happy now that the troops have the full dress plume and fittings on the shako as in 18mm it certainly will help them stand out from the crowd.

A wee rear shot. The turn backs of the Saxon grenadiers should have little green grenades sewn on however I wasn't keen on how they were looking as most of the turn backs are partially hidden so I've left them off. So slow progress on my Saxon army, I'm Looking forward to doing some of the more exciting elements of the army, the light cavalry, light troops, artillery and command.

Hopefully I'll get the 5th battalion finished soon!

Happy Wargaming!!!

Saxon Niesemeuchel Battalion Finished

I managed to finish off my 2nd battalion of Niesemeuchel for the 1812-13 period!

I really enjoyed painting these guys and have moved onto a combined grenadier battalion for 1813.

I thought the pics came out a lot better than they appear so will probably swap new ones in at a later date.

Figures are from AB with a couple of conversions.

The flag is from fighting 15's and is very nice, finishing off the battalion well.

I've added in my usual summer mix static grass plus flowers and tufts from Silfor.

I have the artillery bases finished off but I will show them when the guns are finished.

So onto the next battalion . . .

happy wargaming!!!

Saxon Von Low

At last I finally finished my 2nd Saxon infantry battalion. This is the 1st battalion of the Von Low regiment for the 1812-23 period with dark blue facings and silver/white buttons.

 

Pretty happy how these guys turned although my camera work hasn't quite picked up the shading.

  

I can feel myself getting older as I don't seem to hit the buttons how I used to.

   

I love doing these close up shots as it kind of works like a magnifier and gives me an idea of detail I have missed.
   

Forgot to do the yellow/black between the facing colour on the drummers wings however I have read 1 reference text with facing colour alone on them so I think I will leave them be.
  

My favourite wee guy of the whole battalion. The reason being is I know nobody else has this figure as I converted him myself with head swap and green stuff detail added. Something cool about knowing he is the only 1 in the world (daft I know). Maybe I should have given him a tash?
   

So that's 2 battalions down with 2 more line battalions, a light battalion, artillery and some jagers still to go (I may also add a grenadier battalion?).