French Chasseur à Cheval of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard, 1809
del Prado 1:30 Scale Figure Review
The del Prado figure represents a Chasseur à Cheval of the Imperial Guard wearing service dress. On campaign, the richly decorated sabretache was replaced with a simpler version made of plain black leather. The expensive pelisse is reported to have been worn in the Battle of Austerlitz, but it was not taken into the field in later years. The green Hungarian trousers of the service dress were normally protected by green coveralls during marches and on campaign, although the figure pictured here is not wearing them.
The Chasseur á Cheval is portrayed at the halt, with his carbine at the ready, possibly acting as a personal escort of the Emperor and his general staff, or an officer on reconnaissance duty. The figure may be displayed in Dioramas with Napoleon and members of his staff. Painted in different colours, the Chasseur à Cheval may be used as an elite trooper of French hussars or one of the German hussar regiment of the Confederation of the Rhine.
Evaluation
Horse and rider are anatomically correct.
The figure is shown wearing the service dress of the Chasseurs à Cheval of the Imperial Guard, without pelisse, with the plain black sabretache, but with red over green plume on the colpack.
The 16-page booklet by Osprey Publishing contains several colourful illustrations of Guard Chasseurs à Cheval serving in the French army of the Napoleonic Wars.
Compatible with 1:30 scale King & Country military and civilian miniatures.
The Chasseur à Cheval figure may be painted as an elite trooper of French hussars or German hussars of the Confederation of the Rhine.