HM and HEIC cavalry – done

The cavalry shako turned out better than expected, so the Bengal Native troops would have standard peak-less model with brass plate and tuft, while the Light Dragoons would have the covered shako.

The covered shako, seen in many lithographs of the period, is secured with a cord to prevent its loss. This simple item proved more difficult than making the shako plate or tuft. The thin strands of Milliput kept breaking or slid off the shako. With a good dose of patience, both tasks were done.

After drying,  an undercoat and paint the final product were varnished. During the First Sikh War, the covered shakos would be replaced by the covered “soft ” cap with neck cloth.

Final step is to lay ground (sand and glue) and flock the bases. The flags will be added tomorrow, so by the weekend I should have pictures of the completed collection.

cheers, 

HM and HEIC cavalry

I mentioned in an earlier post, both European and Native units serving in India can be found in the Nafziger collection. This was particularly helpful in determining which cavalry units served and where.

Prior to the First Sikh War, these were Light Dragoons, Lancers and one Hussar regiment that represented Her Majesty’s cavalry. The number of Native cavalry per Presidency was actually large by comparison.

At the top rung of the ladder were the Governor-General’s Bodyguard. I added these to the collection as their red coat faced with blue uniform would contrast nicely with the shades of blue worn by other units.

In the period 1830 to 1845, the uniform remained little changed. The headdress however, was another matter and one I had to rectify with Milliput. I had a choice between bell shako or undress cap and either or both could have a cover. This would prove an ideal way to distinguish European from Native units.

If you have ever used Milliput you will need to plan the adding of detail at later stages of curing. Case in point, the bell shako (uncovered) would need a Maltese cross plate, leather band at the top and plumes or worsted tuft as a rank distinction.

Milliput takes on average four hours to dry. During the process, you will find shaping the shako to a nice round cylinder will be easier after 20 – 30 minutes. After an hour you can make a clean cut to make a flat surface on top. After four hours, with a fresh batch of Milliput you then add the detail to a rock hard surface.

Interim photo show the shako neatly trimmed. I have decided to have the Light Dragoons with covered shako and Native units “uncovered”.

Next post, the finished elements.

Cheers, 

HM and HEIC artillery

Uniforms for all three Presidency’s followed British regulations and conformed with changes set by the War Ministry.

Foot artillerymen had blue coats with tails folded back to show red turnbacks. Seasonal changes determined if artillerymen wore white summer or blue winter trousers. I chose both so as to distinguish HM (Her Majesty’s) artillery from HEIC (Honourable East India Company) units. The bell shako was later replaced by the Albert model, but this is outside the time frame of the collection.

The DBA-HX allows for cannon and artillery; artillery have a shooting range of 500 paces and cannon double the distance.

To balance the collection, the foot artillery here show both cannon (heavy 12 pounders) and lighter artillery with two crew handling 6 pounders.

I have no Horse artillery, noticeable with their peculiar dragoon styled helmet with red horsehair tail. Although depicted in many illustrations, I have not found their presence in campaigns of the period being collected. If I find information to the contrary, then I can always convert the headdress at a later date.

Next: the cavalry

Cheers, 

The Queen’s Regiments and HEIC – 1830 to 1845

The infantry

During the course of gathering information on the various campaigns, I gathered an army list with probable troop type and ratio of cavalry to infantry, but more importantly, the ratio of Native to European regiments. Determining which regiments served in India, the lists provided by the Nafziger collection proved useful giving the names of cavalry and foot regiments stationed in India during this period.

In addition to HM troops, the Honourable East India Company did field its own European regiments. Generally, all three Presidencies had raised at least one or two regiments. Of these, I selected the 1^st Bengal European regiment and the 1^st Bombay Fusiliers to paint up.

At this period, only one Highland regiment was stationed in India, the 78^th later to be known as the Seaforth Highlanders. This was good news, as I did not relish the idea of painting tartans.

The remaining units pictured here would become the 9^th, 29^th, 31^st, 50^th, 62^nd and 95^th Foot. Facings are for the most part yellow or buff except the 50^th which had black.

The two presidency regiments would have standard dress with white trousers. HM units would have soft caps or shako (covered and uncovered). I will add variety to the uniforms and paint white cloth covered shako with blue trousers, often depicted in the lithographs and uncovered shako with white trousers.

Last on the list are the 95^th, later to become the Rifle Brigade, which still retain their green uniform with black facings.

Artillery is next on the project list.

Cheers,