Russian Guard Cossacks of His Majesty's Own Cossack Escort
In this post, dear readers, we follow up from last week's post on the beginnings of the Russian Army of the Russo Turkish War project. Following on from that, the first unit has been mustered. These are Copplestone Castings White Russian Caucasian Cossacks from their Back of Beyond Range--technically from the Russian Civil War era, but they do a fine job representing any of the Caucasian Cossacks from the Russo Turkish War era forward. I guess that this isn't so much a conversion (as my last project was), so much as it is a re-purposing of figures to represent something other than what they are.
A colorized photograph of Tsar Nicholas II wearing the uniform of the Guard Cossacks of His Majesty's Escort
Not unlike someone starting a French Napoleonic Army who begins with the Old Guard, I am kicking-off my project with a guard unit. In this case, one of the numerous Russian Imperial Guard elements. The Guard Cossacks of His Majesty's Escort had 200 troopers on duty protecting the Tsar and another 200 rotated off service. There may have been other sortina's (that's Cossack for "squardon" basically) as well. Regardless, once I received the Copplestone figures I knew that I wanted to put this unit on the table. Whether it was sent on campaign or engaged as a tactical/operational unit along with other guard cavalry is unclear--and I rather doubt that anyone playing in a game will have the depth of knowledge to cavil: "Wait a minute...aren't those the Cossacks of His Imperial Majesty's Escort? What are you about, man?"--yeah, it's not likely. But even so....
Guard Cossack
...Gazyrs aside (those are the signature bullet loops of Caucasian dress), the uniform is so close to the Life Guard Cossack Regiment of the Lifeguard Cavalry Division (pictured above) that they could pass for them at 4 foot playing distance (particularly given the fading faculties of the group in which I play). "An easy enough mistake to make, my friend: those are the Life Guard Cossacks..." But enough of these diversions. On to the study of my rendition of this unit (as usual, you may clix pix for Big Pix in this post):
Wow, gorgeous Guard Cossacks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil.
DeleteGreat job Ed. I doubt anyone will notice the substitute figures. Sometimes it is a joy to paint figures. Sometimes...😀
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stew: I'll take advantage of whatever motivation comes along!
DeleteAnd very nice they look too!
ReplyDeleteThankee, Ray: always want to be well turned out for the Tsar of All Russians.
DeleteVery colorful! Your Cossacks look great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jonathan: I hope to get enough of the Russians done in order to get them on the table soon after the vaccine kicks in!
DeleteSplendid looking unit of cossacks, I wouldn't want to mess with the chaps in the ladt picture!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Observations on the resemblance of the fellow on the right's kubanka and a tall pannetone would probably be best kept oneself...
DeleteA lovely colourful unit Ed...
ReplyDeleteAll the best. Aly
Thanks, Aly. Just realized that I put them on the wrong size bases. Rebasing project up next :)
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