The Royal Danish Army of 1848 was characteristically mid 19th century in dress. It still had a napoleonic uniform as such, yet things like the peaked cap and Hungarian kepi had begun to change the look. Pantaloons were noticeably full length and trouser like.
1848 line infantry in bell shakoes
At the start of the war infantry uniforms were red tunics and bright blue trousers. Uniform regulations for 1848 planned a change to essentially all dark blue clothing complete with a bright blue kepi.
1849 line infantry in Hungarian kepi’s, new tunic but old knapsacks
The regulations crept in although the kepi was so popular – soldiers often threw away their bell shaped shakoes in the field.
Light infantry in the flat cap
Other elements of the army – Artillery and Engineers kept the older kit for longer.
Danish field artillery in 1848 uniform
The Cavalry had largely reduced to the Dragoon in combless metal crested helmet (a fashionable trend) while the Hussars wore a small tapered shako. Dragoons wore red tunics and bright blue trousers, the Hussars wore all pale blue.
The Rebel forces in the Schlieswig Holstein War comprised local pro german forces including those who had served in the Royal Danish Army. To these were added many volunteers alongside their numerous allies.
Saxon allies to the rebellion
The rebel cause had wide spread support from states within greater germany at this time “the Confederation – in its post Napoleonic form”. Notable were Prussia but also Saxony and Hanover. Austria was a significant objector and refused to become involved. Although they did apparently send rocket troop batteries.
Initially Rebel uniforms were a mix of Danish, improvised and various state uniforms. Later the Schleswig Holstein regular Rebel forces obtained a more distinct uniform for themselves.
Prussia was a stout ally to the rebels initially before signing the first peace treaty, the federation itself refused to sign it – you get fascinating politics during this war
This makes the war fascinating in terms of uniform, lots of german states still preserved a distinct character in their uniforms while fashions were still a mix of the Napoleonic coupled with more recent french led fashions such as the kepi. The Pickelhaube (invented in Russia and made a success by Prussia) and the Frockcoat (from the dresscoat of Napoleonic times) were now noticeably popular in german states. The classic mid to late century Prussian uniform dates from the 1840’s.
Another Prussian line battalion
The smaller flat top tapered shako was in wide use long before it identified again with this time British Crimean troops or indeed the Rifleman of Prussia who kept it till world war one.
Oldenburg line infantry sent by the federation
Therefore Armies comprised troops still wearing napoleonic uniform alongside others who would not look out of place in the American Civil War 13 years later and even subsequent conflicts.
Winter 2023/2024 proved to be quite productive painting wise. I don’t keep stats on numbers painted although I do record my painting colours and techniques in case I wish to replicate a figure/unit.
“Paint What You Got” by Dave Stone and “Analogue Hobbies Painting Competition” (AHPC) by Curtis Campbell and Co. both provided a big push to my painting in a very positive way.
In both cases I had planned a limited involvment to secure yet more mid 19th century completed units for my Danish and Germanic forces of the 1st Schleswig Holstein War.
Initially all went well and the fruits of my work can be seen on the AHPC14 site and in previous posts on this blog.
Then I fully succumbed to the “Library Challenge” on offer with the AHPC event.
So out went the 19th century and in came whatever thematic library section I found myself in next.
The result?
One 1/72 Reconnaisance Spitfire – now gifted to a lover of all things aerial.
One 28mm Noggin the Nog super hero from the 1960’s childrens black and white TV. Bought from the Little Toy Soldier online shop.
One 28mm General Siskorski hero of the free Polish during World War 2: A Partizan Newark freebie.
One 25mm veteran (1980’s) games workshop fantasy Cyclops: found at Doncaster Toy Fair.
One 28mm Empress Matilda (12th century): A Partizan Newark freebie
One home built “button monster” (DeathZap Pastor created these inspiring SciFi/Fantasy creatures)
One home built “Nissen Hut” left behind in some village in the East of England after world war 2 “upcycled” – before the term was invented – to a village library.
Quite a haul and it was a very satisfying period of painting and making. The AHPC served up some great contact with the other painters as well.
After what was in effect for me a serious 12 week painting/creating blast – I literally hung up my paint brushes. March has rapidly become April and I have been drifting: I cannot blame outdoor activities like gardening as spring has been one soggy wet mess and still is.
So much for getting on with the 1st Schleswig Holstein War forces. That project has been a case of two or three steps forward yet now stopped.
Maybe that stop was coming anyway. My Wargame projects have that way of shuddering to a halt for no good reason.
1940 France – mk1 spitfire in camomint camouflage1980’s games workshop fantasy cyclops rescued from Doncaster toy fair!12th century Empress Matilda – a freebie from Newark partizan showJust squeezing onto the painting pedestal is a scratch built ww2 Nissen hut library from the post warPolish General Siskorski again a Newark Partizan freebie and the link is double in that Newark was home to polish air squadrons during ww2 and after General Siskorski and his family died in an unexpected plane crash over Gibraltar in 1943 the general was buried in Newark until repatriated in the 1990’sNoggin the nogA German ww2 magazine freebie with mods to make a sci fi character of sortsA button monster made from a 54mm ww2 soldier.AHPC 14 proved to be very productive!
Pauls Bods is a blog that celebrates 1/72 plastic wargames figures. Yet it is so much more because Paul as an ace modeller who can turn even unpromising sculpts into fantastic pieces of the wargamers art.
His head, body and everything else swops are inspiring.
He also has a great sense of humour which appears often in his creations.
The headline image is of my own work prompted by Paul’s bods. Taking a leaf from his book I painted some mini art medieval cavalry that were given a searingly negative plastic soldier review.
Here are some posts highlighting the range of his work.
From the 1970’s era I have had three cavalry types – Cuirassiers, Hussars and Lancers in my collection.
They are all minifig.
The Lancers and Hussars have done sterling service especially in more recent times appearing as mid 19th century units for my Italian Wars of Independence forces and their Fauxterre equivalents.
These French lancers have served many a country both real and imaginary across the nineteenth century These French hussars have also become generic as well – often appearing as AustriansThese minifigs cuirassiers don’t get out much as the battles in the mid nineteenth century were the twilight era for cavalry
In addition I have some Warrior Miniatures French dragoons. The first batch were in green and were sold years ago. Then I got inspired by a funcken image of French napoleonic dragoons in red……
These warrior metal french dragoons have been a more recent addition long after they were bought!
At Battleground – the wargames show at Stockton on Tees I was lucky enough to see Dave Pengilley and his fantastic 28mm collection of Danes and Prussians for the First Schleswig Holstein War which started in March 1848 and finally ended in 1851 with the Treaty of London.
Danish line infantry in shako, kepi and flat cap!
Dave encountered the main problem with anyone interested in these wars – no figures or rather no complete ranges of figures.
Bearskinned guards soon to lose them
The best comparison I can think of is how much easier the Perrys have made the Portuguese Brothers War circa 1830 for wargamers.
Rocket unit in Danish forces with new blue uniforms on the line infantry
Anyway Dave has done a splendid job showing what an overlooked period this is.
I suspect many people will be drawn to the second war not least because of the TV series and some attempts at a range in 28mm. Also Prussians are beginning to look distinctly 1870 era by 1864 when the second war occurs.
Austrian rocket troops were lent to Prussia Prussian regular field artillery
Back in 1848 the war happens on the cusp of giant wardrobe changes. Indeed the Danes do a uniform change as they go to war. This means if you apply shaky compliance and dodgey quartermasters to new order plus supply chain vagaries – then quite a variety of uniforms can be featured alongside each other.
Just field caps and shakos on this danish line unit
And for the Germans – the confederacy means you can draw on 23 member states, many who were so conservative they were also embroiled in their own home country insurrections and still dressed in a napoleonic style.
The bell top shakos have all gone on this Danish line infantry unit Bell shako line infantry grab a lift to the front
Add to that tailcoats, tunics, frockcoats, kepis, shakoes, pickelhaubes and greatcoats means you have much choice if only the figures were for sale.
Danish light infantry were green uniformed
In a way that variety means for 28mm if you are happy to kit bash then raiding Napoleonic, Franco Prussian, ACW, Crimean and other wars up to WW1 gives you vast choice.
The technology adds in smoothbore muskets, rifled muskets, early breechloaders as well as rockets, machine guns and of course telegraph communications, steam ships, proto-submarines and railways.
Danish dragoons
Here are some more pictures of Daves excellent “home cast” range – which would meet most peoples requirements if they were on the market commercially. The problem of course is the period is not popular and even then it is dominated by those adjacent Crimea, ACW and Franco Prussian Wars.
David’s table also fielded period buildings – all scratch built by Dave!!!!Closer view of Danish light infantry Closer view of buildings Danish light infantry prepares to receive Prussian attacks Prussian line infantry marchNew uniforms in blue for the DaneSteam engine in close up – I think this is scratch built as well!Another Danish rocket troop Danish early machine gun unit Prussian hussars creep along a covered way, cavalry were not significant players in this warVon Bismarck’s Prussian hordes practice for 1864, 1866, 1870………Dane’s actually made great use of their maritime dominance Prussians advance Prussians on their march to ultimate defeatNot unlucky for me – great table number 13
So if the big wars are jaded or you simply want an unusual escape then the First Schleswig Holstein War might be just the ticket.
Unfortunately I bit off my than I could chew entering two painting challenges over Christmas. Dave Stone had kindly let me in to “Paint What You Got” after it started. That would have been fine except I had not bargained for the effect of the library theme at AHPC14.
The upshot is that I have only managed two of my many units on the paint production line before the challenge ended. But I reckon this last unit needs to see the light of day.
The first units completed were the 15th and 7th Prussian Landwehr circa 1848.
And then I did nothing – well I managed to slowly progress one unit and that was my Danish Volunteer Cavalry circa 1848.
These had been started back in January 2023!
They are based on an illustration in Ralph Weavers excellent Partizan Historical Guide on the First Schlieswig Holstein War.
This short war yielded a lot of volunteer units which adds to the variety of uniforms recorded as in being around this time.
The figures are Strelets 1877 Russian Hussars which were the nearest match I could make without modifications – especially as I was looking for raised kepis. Headgear is a bit of an issue in 1/72 plastics. However cut and pin techniques are easily done. Here instead I felt I could ignore the hussar details. further license is the pistols – I reckon the officers have privately got themselves the brand new colts from the USA! Apparently this was quite common in the mid 1900’s. Anyway as a volunteer unit I am assuming the regular quartermaster stores were short for them…..
Increasingly I am using contrast colours in a way I have used washes in the past. As GW citadel seraphim sepia has been very popular I first tried their CC browns. And I have used them here on the horses.
Coat d’Arms horse basic colours were overpainted with Citadel Contrast Gulliman which was a bit of a sudden test on my part. It worked for me although I was already happy with the CD’A colours.
The other use was to cover a very flat and washed out VJ intermediate green with Citadel CC warp lightening green. This darkened and enriched the green uniform more to my liking.
Other than that I just used regular acrylics from Vallejo.
Basing used my standard 3 colour over bird grit tried and tested GW suggestion from many moons ago. And this time I used some tall 12mm gamers grass with a dead wintry/summer look. I have found the gamers grass tufts very effective.
Well that wraps up my Paint What You Got challenge. Better late than never I say. It has been a success because 3 units have moved off the production line – all having started their long journey back in January 2023.
Thanks to Dave Stone for organising and maybe next time I might be a bit more focused.
In this post you can see my first entries into the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge 14 or AHPCXIV.
Why enter? good question for me – as these events have not really been my thing in the past. I suppose I entered because some other bloggers I follow do it and it seemed they had fun?
I did tip my toe in the water with Dave Stones one where I completed a tower. That was only back in August last year scenery season challenge
Then again I decided it might help me with my painting plans. Quite simply the answer to that has been proven to be a resounding YES. It definitely focused the mind and I have painted more since entering both events.
However I have also deviated from my plans in an enjoyable way.
In keeping with my purpose to increase painting activity my Danish Forces of 1848 have been first to benefit.
I decided to bring forward units earmarked for the back end of the project. First up I chose to paint some Danish Guards and then some Danish Light Infantry.
In my next few posts I will pick up what AHPCXIV has been landing on the Painting Pedestal.
Well suddenly VAP was here and then gone for another year.
I turned up early and got in quick and did a rapid recce including the bring and buy.
I managed one participation game in the end, collected some preordered figures, bought some stuff I had not planned to, but did want, and chatted quite a bit.
The show seemed as busy as last year but maybe emptied out a bit quicker? These thoughts are subjective as it depends what your doing and when – you don’t notice stuff going on if your immersed in a game or a conversation.
Overall I had a good VAP24 and the queue seemed to move promptly at ten with plenty of attendants present: Last year there was a slow ticket purchase process which delayed entry obviously causing a deal of grief for the punters.
The reenactment vikings entertained the front of the queue – not sure it was appreciated as people often use the queue time to chat. It was a neat idea though.
Onto my purchases
Ubiquitous pendraken bases and some neat spears I kept meaning to buy some extra road and of the flexible kind – these are from early war miniatures Plus a curveAt Irregular miniatures I picked up my preorder of two packs of colonial British in bell shakos which will give two battalions each of Danish infantry 1848 and a Tuscan regiment along with some 1848 danish artillery in bell shakos
I participated in the Lance and Longbow Society game – this time it was 1177 and the crusades. Modified Lion Rampant and 1/72 plastics in abundance. It was fun.
Lance and longbow society game – Saladin attempts to halt Baldwin, but it was not his day. Loads of 1/72 plastic miniatures on display and no heavy lifting!
I went with three gamers. We puzzled about whether the show was busy or different compared to other years. It felt like another transitional VAP reflecting hobby developments.
This Venice game shows how scenery quality has really been transformed by the industry offerings in the hands of talented wargamers
2022 felt the benefit of post covid and lockdown ending while 2023 felt that some changes were afoot. In 2023 we said goodbye to the likes of SHQ Miniatures and Magister Militum (in the past MM had been a significant stand at VAP).
Harrogate Wargames’s club offered the battle of ferrybridge – a wars of the roses action in 28mm
It felt though that there were less games this time. The normally crowded ground floor had some big spaces, mainly around the York Club game tables.
Then again it felt like more use had been made of the upper floors to give people more space for circulation. Frankly in previous virtual scrums were a big deterrent in reaching some traders.
Overall this extra room was a really good thing. And accessibility was improved as a result.
1866 kepis in Europe – once again Garibaldi is up against papal forces and losing?
I reckon there were 65 tables all up this year (all types of activity) compared to 57 in 2022 but it seemed many were smaller offerings: For example Helion Books were absent. But their space was used by a smaller vendor.
And the bring and buy seemed to have less turnover – I went at the beginning and some sellers were still there much later on.
Which ever way you cut it VAP is still a great show to meet the hobby, throw dice and make some sound buys.
The Wargaming Erratic 