"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
Saw this info the other day on another site. Can only hope that a long last these will become available in the not too distant future. However I will not get the drinks out yet to celebrate!
Hi James, am I right, these are 1/32 scaled figures? You probably know them but: JMD Miniatures seem to have some promising 54mm figures including a Belgian Carabinier, a Linie man and a Hussar as they have a few Poilus, in resin and white metal. Mine I ordered (I am unpatiently waiting now) at Berliner Zinnfiguren in Berlin, a very nice and old shop and certainly one you have to see when you might be around. www.berlinerzinnfigur.com is their site. Continental as I am it's the easiest way for me to order there, in the UK you'll find JMD too I guess. But the Berliners do deliver all around and they are very nice and helpfull.
I hadn't heard of JMD, but I've had a look and they are splendid though not my preferred scale. And expensive. Their Belgian Grenadier appears to be wearing the Line Infantry greatcoat and trousers. Officially, the greatcoat had red collar patches with a yellow grenade emblem, and the trousers were dark blue with a broad red stripe, but let us assume that in the trying conditions of the retreat he has had to replace his worn-out items. It was frequently the case. I can't find the Carabinier and Line so far.
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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
I found the JMD website too, they're French, I first thought they were British.. Made another bad mistake too: it's a grenadier I meant. Funny they don't show the Carabinier, as the Berliner Zinnfuguren do. Oh oh I don't hope that figure is sold out. They are a bit expensive I agree, but the flesh is weak sometimes.
Anyone else noticed the WW1 French rifles are 1874 Gras I would have thought Lebels or Berthiers more appropriate....
Hi Ironsides,
it all had its origins in the Chassepot, and via a number of conversions it came to the Lebel of 1914. On oldmilitaryrifles.eu/france/france.htm it's documentated, or on wikipedia of course though I have the slight feeling the latter is not that accurate.
Hi kieffer, as far as I know the Gras was used in WW1 by the french in a modified form the M74-80/14 a conversion to 8mm lebel ammo but by second line, reserve and militia units...
I wouldnt be suprised to see some in front line use early on but the Lebel seems to have been the standard rifle thoughout WW1... even after newer guns became available but never in sufficient quantities to replace it entirely, lebels were converted into semi auto rifles for sharpshooters and issued at the rate of 16 per company as well... The gun modelled though appears to be an unaltered 1874 Gras and not the 8mm conversion.... Considering these are later troops I would expect them to have Lebels, Berthiers and at least one pose with the Lebel semi auto conversion....
I think we should let sleeping dogs lie. Apparently, the reason it has taken several years for these figures to enter production is that Mr. Pegasus has been so keen to get every detail correct, and has revised them several times. IIRC, he noticed that the stitching on the dorsal ammunition pouch was wrong (or something of that magnitude) and had the figures reworked. All very admirable, but I suspect he would have got away with it in 1/72 scale. If he learns that there is some doubt about the rifle he might scrap the lot and start again. And I am hoping to live to see these in the shops.
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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
"EDIT: Oh, never mind! Just noticed these are WW2. The WW1 French were not mentioned in the 2010 release schedule. Maybe they are changing the rifles."
Well I am flattered that Pegasus pays that much attention to what I say
Well I think many of the WW2 will still be usable at least many of the rifles are WW1 vintage... helmets and canteens though are later... would you notice though?
Cheers
-- Edited by Ironsides on Tuesday 29th of June 2010 10:14:15 AM