Reenacting The French Napoleonic Fusilier Part II: Field Gear & Weaponry

A detailed examination of the late Napoleonic era French Fusilier of the 21st Regiment of the Line. This video is the documentation of how I created my impression with the help of Ian McWherter. The goal was to create the most accurate representation possible based on the resources available to me. Technically this impression would be representative of the 1812-1815 French Napoleonic Infantryman.
Links to the Russian Reenactor Forums mentioned in the video
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[@OneBlueRhapsody]

The detail here is incredible! Do you have any reading recommendations for someone interested in French uniforms and regulations in the late Napoleonic Wars?

[@calteacher2191]

Thank you. I would highly recommend Napoleons Infantry Handbook by Terry Crowdy. Its the BEST resource in English that I have come across.

[@michaelwhite8031]

Very nice work. The musket is amazing

[@LaurenceTanLuciusFlux]

Fantastic impression! You clearly have a keen eye on detail for your uniform and kit. You should make more of these videos and maybe get into manufacturing your own reproduction kit!

[@minnesotanok3071]

Very nice video, I learnt a lot about the French fusilier and the gear inside was fascinating. I didn't know they carried so many personal belongings. Could you do one about the tent of a fusilier and the living situation or where the tent would go in the knapsack?

[@calteacher2191]

Sorry for the late reply. From the research I have done, the French rarely used tentage on active campaign. Napoleon believed (rightfully so) that tentage would just weigh down the men and lengthen the baggage train. Thus hindering any quick movements on the march. Ever read about how quickly Napoleon was able to move his army to out maneuver his enemy? The mind frame on campaign was to simply take over a village here and there for the night to provide shelter. So the quick answer.....no tent to be accurate is best.

[@mdjred2709]

Great job on the research and production of the items you might actually be better equiped then the soldiers during the 100 days campaign In reality very few soldiers had all of the equipment you have, the forming of the army in late 1815 was a mish mash of equipment, new and old so most soldiers would wear a variety of different regulated/unregulated items

[@NSYresearch]

A very very impressive reconstrution of the period kit etc. It must have taken a long time and very deep pockets !!!

[@Mikekenn6000]

Nice job, wondering if the movie, The Dualist accurate in the representation of the uniforms.

[@calteacher2191]

The overall historical feel of the movie is great, although technically historical fiction. In regards tot the uniforms I could not say. The vast majority of Napoleonic uniforms utilized by the various nations and branches of the army, let alone individual regimental facings etc, is practically inumerable. It far outweighs my meagor knowledge.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

Nice video ,applause :) if anyone would like to hear about the great history polish cavalry saber ... szablotłuk polski. Greetings from Poland

[@michealohaodha9351]

An amazing series of videos! I've just started out my French Napoleonic journey and this is really something to aspire to!

[@manuelkong10]

I LOVE all this but have zero interest in 1812

[@jackpritchard2120]

Once again well done

[@tonysicily2687]

How did the French knapsack differ from the English version. I understand the French version was better

[@xxnvytechxx6417]

I think the French was lighter weight and more flexible, while the British was heavier and was made of thin cut wood, giving it it's box form.

[@chasseurbrise-lame6778]

Last thing to do, use it on a battlefield to have a Nice patina, never wash it, juste use the brushes,sleep in your tent fully dressed, never re-write/ wax your leather gear and never clean your buttons! Otherwise, it is very impressive, you were very patient with it and the result is impressive! All the best from a « chasseur à pied de la garde impériale » from Belgium, I hope to meet you around ligny, les quatres bras or Waterloo soon! PS: would you be kind enough to tell how you made the markings on the leather and the stamps on the fabric?

[@TheMattork]

You got any recommendations on places for buying little stuff for the backpack? The petty equipment stuff like scrapers and button hooks?

[@calteacher2191]

Honestly once you do the research to know what period correct items look like, I was able to get the majority of my stuff from Civil War and Rev War vendors as well as scouring ebay for the original odds and ends.

[@hashnotall6263]

Back when France still had Franks living there. Sadly the M-word G-worded them out of existence. (Apparently I cannot say those two words together. Thanks susan.)

[@josephwalukonis9934]

Cal, most outstanding work! How common were the knee length gaiters? Most illustrations I have seen show the campaign trousers with gaiters worn underneath. Were these gaiters short half gaiters as worn in the Am Rev? I used to have a repro Charleville for Rev War reenacting. It wasn't by Pedersoli. Navy Arms maybe? I also had the Pedersoli Short Land pattern Bess. I am most impressed that you made a new stock. Good luck reenacting. Vr Joe

[@jean-charlesblanc8454]

There was no whisk for the French on the brass chain, just the epinglette, it was often worn on the second top button of the lapels - right hand side, and the epinglette was stuck into the button hole, you will see this on a lot of contemporary prints, I applaud your efforts with the musket, a herculean work, but then why do you call it Charleville, yours is made in St. Etienne (which produced the highest production numbers and outrunning Charleville), Charleville is just the name given by re - enactors because the first re production for the AWI was by Navy Arms and on the lock Charleville - instead of like St. Etienne for the Pedersoli. The French used and issued by all means water bottles, made of sheet iron, the regulations - prints and battle field findings all prove this. This metal water bottle should have been re placed by a glass bottle in wicker cover which - but evidently contemporary engravings by Leopold Beyer of 1813 show still the old metal water bottle. There you put such an immense effort for your musket, why use British flints? The French ones were much superior and of "blond" material and knapped differently. In case you want to read more about construction and how the French stuff looked like try to find the Manuel d'Infanterie, it has plates comments about construction and material used - different issues should be available for down load on - line.

[@pqcha5437]

You should do a tutorial video on taking care of leather equipment as I keep hearing about how you "wax" them. I have found actual written tutorials but I am more of a visual learner and as a reenactor starting out would not want to absolutely destroy any of my equipment lol

[@brianwolle2509]

great

[@xxnvytechxx6417]

What’s the brass symbol on the cartridge box called? I’m trying to find an image of one but I can’t seem to find it.

[@mandalortemaan7510]

Can you please do a video on their Shakos, I don't understand their color code

[@rickcaras3229]

Are you intentionally using ‘Murican pronounciation of the various uniform elements, vice the actual French pronounciation? Is that a reenactors affectation? Regardless, very impressive work! Do you belong to a Napoleonic re-enactor group? If so, what regiment do you present an impression of?

[@calteacher2191]

My French is absolutely terrible! I honestly do not even know anyone that speaks French to even give me pointers. One could say its definitely a reenactor affliction! I am going to be joining 21eme, their primary focus is the late Napoleonic period. I have not done so officially as I wanted to finish the impression first. My Shako and tunic buttons described in my other video are all 21.

[@rickcaras3229]

cal teacher well, when you join them, you will get support in pronunciation tout de suite! My (school) French is not that good either, being +50 years or so, ago. But giberne is gzhee-bern. Soft “g” and no “ney” on the end. That only happens with e’(like cafe’). You will soon learn that not every letter gets pronounced, or how it is pronounced. My interest is in Napoleonic military history (including uniforms) and in Napoleon himself. Good luck to you! Your talent is remarkable!

[@calteacher2191]

Thank you.

[@jeffschnakenberg3848]

Fantastic video! Your passion, skills and attention to detail are superb.

[@ramonvazquez1045]

I wish that you would do more like an update I love it.

[@jamesheinze4202]

I'm curious, what exactly is a marinette?

[@napoleonbonaparte.3220]

That’s cool but we’re do I buy it?

[@calteacher2191]

I made most of it.

[@SirHector1999]

@@calteacher2191 man, you made two great videos and left. Why? You are bursting with knowledge and talent, would love to hear more from you.

[@rosspratt5978]

Very helpful thank you very much!

[@liudwan44]

Your work deserves millions of views

[@pg259]

Well done.. reenacting in the 9ieme légère

[@kimreid1781]

Well thanks this was vary helpful

[@australianman8103]

200th Subs :D

[@FirstLast-cg9ic]

where do you find pics like the one in the intro? really need to find that one

[@conorboyle6975]

They are from a series of plates by Carle Vernet, if you enter 1812 Bardin Carle Vernet into google images, you should get lots of results from the plate series.