Michael's 1809 Blog

Back in Post 10, I mentioned that the Pendraken chasseur à cheval officer figure would need a bit of modelling putty to up his rank from an epaulette-less trooper. To be a chasseur à cheval officer, the figure would need at the very least the rank insignia of a fringed epaulette on the left shoulder. I promoted my figure with a bit of green stuff, also giving him a fringeless epaulette on his right shoulder. I had three chasseur à cheval officers for three regiments on my painting list (see Post 41). I decided to make them all slightly different. I gave another twin fringed epaulettes and my first attempt at a bearskin colpack. The third got one fringed epaulette and I sliced off his head and repositioned it to face forwards. I decided then that my first chasseur officer would switch regiments. I changed the colour of his facings – traces of the original blue of the 16^th are just about visible under his collar. Off he went to take charge of the smaller 24^th. With only one fringed epaulette he’s not even a major, after all.