A few days ago I purchased a small lot of figures, amongst which were a small group of Minifigs 'One Piece Castings' (OPC) cavalry figures. I was particularly attracted to two Russian cavalry men that I had not seen before. One is a dragoon and the other a hussar (see last picture). There were two other OPC figures in the group, which I initially assumed to be the British Napoleonic hussar (which I have seen before) and what I considered to be a Brunswick hussar.
However, on closer inspection the Brunswicker did not look quite right:
Looking at his shako it is easy to see why he might be considered to be a Brunswicker, but that is where the similarities end. He is not wearing a hussar tunic and the horse furniture is not right either.
Here is a picture of our man next to the British Hussar:
Our man lacks the hussar braiding across the jacket but on the other hand the pose is very similar to the British figure - assumed to be Napoleonic.
I wonder, if our figure is in fact a Crimean War figure depicting a light dragoon? The reason I suggest this is that the British heavy dragoon and lancer OPCs have plumes (not worn in the Crimea) and in full dress the 1850s British Light Dragoon had a feathered plume as above.
I took a look at the Lone S ranger site, but alas there is no picture of a Light Dragoon.
here are the four figures from the group lined up together, with the two Russians on the end:
I would welcome any thoughts. Does anyone have another example of this figure?
Hi Bob sorry there is no Crimean light Dragoon on the Lone S Ranger, I have never had or seen the figure. The Crimean Range is one of those where the cavalry figures were one piece to start with, then replaced by two piece castings, so a Crimean identification is plausible. I think JC may have found a Crimean Light Dragoon figure - maybe separate rider - so he may be able to confirm or challenge the id. I assume there is no legible code on the underside of the base?
ReplyDeleteRegards
Clive
The Lone S Ranger was my first port of call (I am a frequent visitor).
DeleteI have never seen a British Light Dragoon figure first hand, but a quick look at the 'ABC Wargamers' site shows several examples of Minifigs S Range Crimean cavalry in action and the British Light Dragoons have a drooping style plume, as do the lancers, although both appear to be two piece castings. Having stripped the figure down there is no code visible on the base. JC is taking a look too.
I would have guessed 'Brunswicker', which goes to show how much I know. That IS a falling plume on the shako, I take it? I'm trying to recall what other Napoleonic cavalry featured falling plumes.
ReplyDeleteThe jury is out - he could be a Brunswicker, but there is also evidence that he may be a Crimean figure - we may never know for sure.
DeleteI have examples of the two piece Brunswick hussar and the uniform is very different. As far as I am aware all the Napoleonic S Range cavalry were two piece castings so the only S Range one piece 19th Century option would be the Crimean Light Dragoon. It’s none of the FPW cavalry figures, all of which I have seen, and all of which have separate riders. The figure’s paint job may be distracting - it might be easier to work out if it was stripped. I’m assuming there are no signs of conversion? Crimean British Light Dragoon seems to be the only candidate.
ReplyDeleteThanks Clive, that is most useful. You will see that I have now posted some pictures of the figure stripped of paint. I have also found some pictures of two piece Crimean light dragoons on the ABC wargamers site and they do have droopy plumes.
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