Russian Pavlovski Grenadiers, 1805–1814

Italeri 1:72 Scale Figure Review

Italeri figures are cast in a silver plastic, giving them the appearance of metal miniatures. Anyone playing with unpainted soldiers will appreciate the fact that these miniatures are compatible with eachother; colours and sizes match, and soldiers may serve in mixed units.

The Pavlovski regiment was formed in 1790 from elements of other infantry units. Grenadiers wore the old Prussian style mitre caps with metal front which was replaced by the new Kiver shako in 1805. However, the new shakos did not reach many frontline units until much later, and the Pavlovski regiment was still wearing the old mitre caps as late as 1807, at the battle of Friedland. In recognition of its heroic fight at Friedland, the regiment was permitted to wear the original mitre caps as a distinction henceforth. Pavlovksi was the only unit to retain these caps. The material was replaced occasionally, but the original metal fronts were worn on parade as late as 1914, and they were kept in historic condition, including bullet holes and other damage incurred at Friedland.

Pavlovski distinguished itself again in the 1812 campaign and they were elevated to guard status in 1813, becoming the Life Guard Pavlovksi Regiment.

The Italeri figures do justice to a famous guard regiment. The grenadiers are beautifully sculpted, full of detail and nicely posed in historically and anatomically correct positions.

Contents

• 50 Figures with 15 Poses
• 23 mm equal 166 cm Height
• Officer, 2 NCOs, Drummer & Fifer
• 45 Grenadiers:
  • 6 marching
  • 6 advancing, march-attack
  • 6 advancing, high porte
  • 6 charging
  • 6 kneeling, firing
  • 6 standing, firing
  • 9 loading, kneeling & standing

Evaluation

• Beautifully detailed figures, with turnbacks, cuffs, belts, buttons, mitre caps and metal fittings on weapons and equipment that are a delight to paint.
• Striking faces are distinctly Russian looking.
• Grenadier mitres may be used in conversions of 18th Century Prussian, Hessian and Brunswick grenadiers.
• Historic poses are very compatible with eachother, allowing the wargamer to recruit realistic looking battalions and regiments.
• Officers and NCOs are well designed and exotically armed.
• Good casting quality, except for the charging and marching grenadiers which are damaged by moulding mistakes. Both figures need to be cleaned up with the scalpel, removing excessive flash around the pack and along the arms. The mistakes are less obvious if the figures are painted after clean-up.

• The grenadiers are not wearing the rolled greatcoat over the left shoulder, which was so typical of Russian infantry in this period. A grave omission. The Shinel was very popular with Russian soldiers and they often wore it in place of the tightfitting uniform jacket. In warm weather, the coat was rolled up and slung across the shoulder, providing extra protection against sabre cuts.
• Russian knapsacks had a horizontal strap connecting the two shoulder-straps across the soldier’s chest. The strap has been omitted on these figures.
• The hair was cut short in 1806, but the figures still wear a short pigtail.
• The standardbearer is missing. Luckily, one of the sergeants may be converted to serve in this function. Flags may be cut from paper and attached to 0.6 mm pianowire poles.
• The standing, firing figure aims into the sky. The mistake may be corrected by reducing the base thickness underneath the figure’s front foot, bringing the musket back into an almost horizontal position. The figure will lean forward a little, but it looks more realistic.
• The drum appears a little small.

Historic Employment

• Line Grenadiers 1805
• Pavlovski Grenadiers 1805-1812
• Life Guard Pavlovski Regiment 1813-1814
• The figures may be used as Musketiers, Grenadiers and Jägers of the line, if the mitre cap is replaced by a Kiver shako (Russian Grenadiers, ESCI). However, since the rolled greatcoat was worn in these units as well, any such conversion is not entirely accurate.

Italeri deserves praise for launching a new Napoleonic theme. The Russian army of the Napoleonic Wars is very popular among collectors and wargamers, and it would be very exciting if Italeri were to launch additional figures for the 1812 and 1813 campaigns, like dragoons or horse artillery wearing the typical Russian cavalry helmet.

Bibliography

• Knötel-Sieg: Handbuch der Uniformkunde, pp. 315-316
• Haythornthwaite, Philip: Uniforms of 1812, Plate 59
• Allevi, Piersergio: Miniatures, p. 166

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Russian Napoleonic Miniatures

– Published: 1996 – Updated: 06.10.2010
© 1996-2011 by IDL Software GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany. All rights reserved.