Mexican War 1846-1848 Part 1

I just padded out a unit of First Mexican  cavalry I made a number of years ago from Napoleonic cavalry. The figures are Hat and Call to Arms. one thing odd about the hat figures is the carbine hanging from the belt appears to be in a carbine bucket. Some of these I cut off and attached to the horses. In this period the belt was the common way to hold the carbines and i assume they would not also be in containers. Alternatively they could be tied on leather or cloth covers to keep dust out of the carbines. lacking carbines to replace the item i have left most as is. The head dress was carved and putty plumes added. The remnant of the old plume at the back was painted as a headscarf under the helmet. The Hat horses are particularly nice.


                       Mexican guard hussars made from Action pack Timpo and a Dulcop figure on an Airfix horse. (A lot of Dulcop horse anatomy looks very weird). One difference from the Napoleonic hussars is that the Mexican busby flap appears on the left rather than the right side. I don't know much bout this; was it worn on a particular side deliberately or did it flap around to either side? Someone who is expert on hssar headdress might be able to enlighten me. In any case, some of the figures 9not shown here because not yet complete) I changed so it is on the left side
I really like the BMC Mexican infantry. They are well sculpted and serve for a variety of troops. I built up heads with putty to make them into the Supreme grenadiers. Fringrf shoulder decoration was also added. The figures would also be a good basis for Crimean War British grenadiers. Unlike most Napoleonic toy French they wear trousers rather than tights which makes them useful for other later periods up until tailed tunics were replaced with later styles mid century. A few of the figures are Airfix French grenadiers with putty trousers added. The officer was a British officer.



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