Saturday, December 30, 2023

Wurttemberg Garde du Corps

The Gardes du Corps comprised a single squadron of the Wurttemberg Gardes zu Pferd. The squadron had its origins circa 1806. 


In 1807, the King expressed a desire for a more impressive uniform for the formation, and the rather striking uniform and helmet seen in these pictures was the result. 

From 1809 uint5il 1814, a black bearskin with a back patch bearing a white cross, white cords and plumes was designated for wear, with the helmet reserved for full dress occasions. 

Rawkins states that there is little or no information available on the uniform worn by the trumpeters; I have given mine black wings piped white, and the black and white checkered soubreveste worn for some dress functions, and the back cummerbund that was worn with it. 

The shabraques once again had a black and white checkered border. The flag is a free download from the Piano wargames site. 


I didn't flock the bases of these two officers, as they may wind up being rebased as part of one or more High Command bases. The figure on the left wears the uniform of an officer of the two Grenadier zu Pferd squadrons of the Leibgarde regiment; those squadrons were raised in 1809.

The other figure wears the uniform of an officer in the Garde du Corps. Once again, these sculpts are all by Lucas Luber of Piano Wargames. 

Note the silver zigzag pattern on a black border (conceptually, a seam of W's, for Wurttemberg) on the yellow officer's shabraque. Like all officers of the Wurttemberg army, the silver mixed with gold, red, and black sash is worn about the waist. 

14 comments:

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    1. Thanks, Jon; we will have to see how they sing on the Battlefield!

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  2. Some more excellent work on these lovely Pano figures Peter!

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    1. Thanks, Keith; they certainly inspire better painting!

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  3. Great work, and very striking. I have these ahead of me in the pile, but remember looking at the uniform and thinking all that yellow with the checkerboard is enough to give me pause for a while. Nice work on the "W's on the edging as well.

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    1. Thank you. Lawrence! You could probably do a better job than I did here, but I think they still look the part.

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  4. Sensational Peter!
    I was going to comment that I did not recall that they were involved in any action, but, on checking, I see that they were in the Vorarlberg in 1809. Regardless, whether a unit saw action, was 'just' present for a campaign, or remained at home has and will never stop us painting such good looking troops, hey?
    Regards, James
    [I really, really like units in bearskins so prefer their campaign dress and that of the grenadier zu pferde to the helmeted version (as I do for the french carabiniers over the latter helmeted style); although the 'fireman's' helmets are still really striking!!!]

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    1. Thanks for the kind words, James. Yes, lack of combat is nothing to stop us from painting a pretty uniform. For this unit, I prefer the helmet myself., but the yellow jackets are striking regardless!

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  5. Another fantastic unit Peter, they, as usual, look great!

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  6. Thanks for the kind words, Chris!

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