Foundry

25mm Prussian Napoleonics (figures)

Reviewed By David Barnes

Review of Foundry latest releases from their Prussian Napoleonics range in 25mm. Available from The Foundry Ltd., Huberts Lane, off Doyle Road, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 IRG, Channel Islands, GB

Now Prussian Nagoleonic Generals

PN55X Prussian Generals 2. This pack contains Zeiten, a general and two aides de camp. 4 horses are provided, 2 standing and 2 trotting. Zeiten and the general wear frock coats with epaulettes and the feldmutze cap. Zeiten is pointing and the general has a separate arm with a "perspective glass" in the right hand (a telescope). I've stuck that on so it's leaning on his horse's mane and he appears hunched forward observing closely what Z. is pointing at.

The two aides bestride the trotting horses and wear chapeau bras, both with tufts of feathers. One touches his, in salute. The other gestures with his left arm outstretched pointing out some troop movement he is concerned about or has carried orders for. Very lively.

PN56X Prussian Generals 1. This pack contains Blucher, Gneisenau, York and Kleist. A pack of horses, two standing, two trotting/walking has come with it. This is the third representation of Blucher I have seen made by a figure manufacturer. About 1964 1 modified a Spencer Smith plastic 18th century officer on horseback into a Blucher. At that time no maker produced one. One example I have was produced by "Willie" and - I write sotto voce - this present Foundry one I think is better! Old Marschal Vorwarts is gesturing with his three-piece-pipe and shouting wearing his caped greatcoat. Taken from a painting I think. *E. Zimmerman. Instead of Kleist in this pack is another figure marked Zeiten but different in pose from PN55X.

Gneisenau is studying a map intently holding it in both hands therefore controlling his horse with his legs (standing horse for him). York sits looking at the terrain and troop movements. All the heads of these figures are portraits and how it's done in this scale I cannot imagine. We are so lucky. This pack's version of Zeiten has his right hand back on the cantle. A caped overcoat over his embroidered tunic. Is that an Iron Cross at his neck? Like Blucher, who was an old hussar, Zeiten led the cavalry. Blucher said at Oxford when being given an Honorary Doctorate, "Well, if I am to be a Doctor, you must at least make Gneisenau an apothecary!" Lt. Gen. Hans Ernst Karl, Graf von Zeiten II.

York, by the way, should be written Yorck. Hans David von Yorck was a light infantry man but early on (1806) his ideas of mobility meant his including trunks, crates and even a bedstead in his personal luggage. His troops called him "der alte Isengrin" (the old one in the Iron helmet) a common nickname in those days for a wolf!

Prussian Hussars Charging

PN5 8X Four valiant sabre waving hussars in covered shakos riding lively horses with streaming tails. The troopers are all dressed as plate B, illustration 2 of "Bluchees Army 1913-15" by Peter Young, Men at Arms Series, Hippocrene Books Inc. 1973 ISBN 0 88254 159 5 of an officer in the Silesian National Cavalry (Hussar) Regiment. The troopers do not wear the pelisse shown in the officer illustration. A sabretache hangs beside his sword scabbard on a crossbelt swivel clip. The modeling detail is so fine one can make out the lacing on the rear of the oilskin shako cover. I have succumbed to the usual temptation suffered by reviewers and added a unit of these to my Napoleonic Prussian army!

References:

    1. Blucher s Army 1813-1815, Brig. Peter Young, DSO, MC, etc. Men at Anns: Hippocrene Books 1972
    2. The Hussar General, the Life of Blucher, Man of Waterloo, by Roger Parkinson. Peter Davies: London 1975.

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