Drummer of Austrian Infantry Regiment Arberg No.55 1750s

Unit and uniform details to follow...

Fusilier of Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 47

Unit and uniform details to follow...

Musician of Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 47

Uniform and unit details to follow...

Well, it seems I was wrong about hating Prussian musicians' lace so much, as here's another with funny lace I've just done - this one seems to have space invaders along it! Perhaps it's the lingering effects of yesterday's hospital anaesthetic doing funny things to the brain that has me doing yet more... The fusilier helmet is new and correct for Regiment 47. I also wanted to do a variation of the fusilier uniform that has an interestingly different facing colour, as most are some variation on red.

Grenadier Drummer of Prussian Infantry Regiment No.12

Uniform and unit details to follow...

Musician of Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 55

Most of the later fusilier regiments wore much simpler uniforms than the earlier raised units; this is one of the commonest styles worn by musicians of many of those regiments. The colour version is a musician of Regiment No. 55, with lace with a central orange stripe, a wider yellow stripe and an outer white stripe.

Prussian officer of Infantry Regiment No.17

Uniform and unit details to follow...

Prussian officer of Infantry Regiment No.3

Uniform and unit details to follow...

This is the very simplest style of the Prussian infantry officer's uniform. Now the basic template is done much more elaborate versions can follow. A variant with the sash (and perhaps the gorget) is possible if people want it.

Musician of Prussian Infantry Regiment 7

Unit and uniform detail to follow...

Musician of Prussian Infantry Regiment 22

Unit and uniform details to follow.

Plain infantry uniforms are a lot less fiddly and much less time-consuming to draw!

Trooper of the French Gendarmes Bourguignons Du Roi 1750s

And the last of the Gendarmes, at least for now - the simpler uniform of the Burgundian Gendarmes. Unit and uniform detail to follow.

Trooper of the French Gendarmes Ecossais Du Roi 1750s

Uniform and unit details to follow.

Trooper of the French Gendarmes Anglais Du Roi 1750s

Unit and uniform details to follow

Trooper of the Sardinian Gardes Du Corps Regiment 1750

Unit history and organisation: The senior regiment of the Sardinian army, in the WAS the unit had 3 companies each of 130 men.

Full dress uniform: Trooper: Black tricorne, gold or yellow silk laced edge, yellow metal button, mid-blue cockade. Black stock. Scarlet coat, dark Prussian blue cuffs and turnbacks, yellow silk or gold lace, yellow metal buttons, scarlet shoulder strap. Prussian blue waistcoat, yellow silk or gold lace, yellow metal buttons. Prussian blue breeches, yellow metal buttons. White inner stocking. Black leather boots. Prussian blue shabraque and pistol holster covers with yellow silk or gold lace. Yellow silk or gold monogram and crown.

Trooper of the Sardinian Dragoon Regiment Sardegna 1754-73

Unit history and organisation: In the WAS the regiment had around 650 men, in 5 squadrons each of 2 companies. (I have nothing on the history of this unit so if anyone knows more and can let me have details, I'd be grateful. Thanks.)

Uniform: Trooper: Black tricorne, white laced edge, white metal button, white strap, mid-blue cockade. Black stock. Bright red coat, yellow lapels, collar, cuffs, turnbacks, yellow edge to shoulder straps. White metal buttons. Red waistcoat, white metal buttons. Red breeches, white metal buttons. White inner stocking. Black leather bottines (boot-gaiters). Red shabraque and pistol holster covers with 2 lines of lace each consisting of 3 stripes (white-mid-blue-white). White crown and lettering. White sheepskin cover over pistol holster.

Trooper of the Sardinian Savoia Cavalry Regiment 1750

Unit history and organisation: First raised 1690s. In the WAS the regiment had around 650 men, in 5 squadrons each of 2 companies. In 1744 a company from each regiment was made into a Carabinier company, distinguished from the other companies only by being armed with a rifled carbine. (I have little on the history of this unit so if anyone knows more and can let me have details, I'd be grateful. Thanks.)

Uniform: Trooper: Black tricorne, white laced edge, white metal button, white strap, mid-blue cockade. Black stock. Very dark (almost Prussian) blue coat, deep red collar, cuffs, turnbacks, red edge to shoulder strap. White aiguillette on right shoulder, white metal buttons. Red waistcoat, white metal buttons. Red breeches, white metal buttons. White inner stocking. Black leather boots. Red shabraque and pistol holster covers with 2 lines of lace each consisting of 3 stripes (white-mid-blue-white). White crown and lettering. White sheepskin cover over pistol holster.

More map symbols and markers - some experiments

I've been looking into 18th century-style map markers and symbols that are not pictorial (but I'll go back to those shortly). Varied inspiration has been had from the Marburg Archive maps at: http://www.digam.net/?str=177 and maps in the Swedish Archives at: http://www.statensarkiv.se/default.aspx?id=7769#Bochum Some of these vector symbols will work best on small-scale maps, some on large, but I must stress that vector images are very scaleable, unlike raster or bitmap images, which become very pixelly and ugly if enlarged or lose detail if reduced in size. So an apparently too large and detailed vector image can successfully be reduced in size for use on a much smaller-scale map.

On this rough example sheet we have (clockwise from bottom left) the outline of the defences of Mannheim with hornwork to the south over the river, Dresden (top left), Minden (top right), a pentagonal fort or fortified town marker, 2 versions of the star fort marker (with 4 bastions) and a generic town marker with mediaeval town wall (bottom right) (as in the French Academy maps). Bottom centre is a small square schloss with 4 corner towers (this one was at Mannheim). In the centre are two small markers for a field fortification and siegeworks.

All open to development, revision, change, being scrubbed completely, depending on how I feel at the time... ;-)

Fusilier and Grenadier of the Sardinian Swiss Regiment Meyer 1750-1774

Unit history: First raised January 1744 by a "capitulation" between King Charles Emmanuel III and the Swiss Cantons of Glaris and Appenzel. 1 battalion of 4 companies. Mostly in garrison during the War of the Austrian Succession but involved in a notable action when its fire stopped a French advance on the Assietta ridge in July 1747. Commander from 1744 Adrian Meyer von Herisau. Regiment partly disbanded/partly absorbed by another Swiss regiment in 1774.

Uniform: Fusilier (left) Black tricorne, white laced edge, yellow metal button, white strap, mid-blue cockade, yellow-black-red pompom on right side (out of view). Black stock. Very dark (almost Prussian) blue coat, red collar, lapels, cuffs, turnbacks, red edge to shoulder strap. No lace, yellow metal buttons. Heart patches covering hooks and eyes on turnbacks black or very dark blue. Red waistcoat, yellow metal buttons. Red breeches, yellow metal buttons. White inner stocking. White gaiters, white metal buttons.

Grenadier (top) Black fur cap, red bag edged yellow with yellow and red tassel. Black stock. Very dark (almost Prussian) blue coat, red collar, lapels, cuffs, turnbacks, red edge to shoulder strap. No lace, yellow metal buttons. Heart patches covering hooks and eyes on turnbacks black or very dark blue. Red waistcoat, yellow metal buttons. Red breeches, yellow metal buttons. White inner stocking. Black gaiters, white metal buttons.

Fusilier and Grenadier of the Sardinian Regiment Savoia 1750-1773

Unit history: Raised 1624. Renamed Savoia 1640. 2 battalions. Some action in the War of the Polish Succession. Heavily involved in the War of the Austrian Succession. Commanders Charles Lodovic Baron du Chabod 1744-1748 Janus Comte D'Eutremon 1748-175? Alexis De La Saunière 175? Giuseppe Della Chiesa Roddi di Cinzano 1767-1772

Uniform: Fusilier (left) Black tricorne, white laced edge, white metal button, white strap, mid-blue cockade, very dark blue or black and white pompom on right side (out of view). Black stock. Very dark (almost Prussian) blue coat, white collar, lapels, cuffs, turnbacks, white edge to shoulder strap. No lace, white metal buttons. Heart patches covering hooks and eyes on turnbacks black or very dark blue. Dark blue waistcoat, white metal buttons. Dark blue breeches, white metal buttons. White inner stocking. White gaiters, white metal buttons.

Grenadier (top) Black fur cap, dark blue bag edged white with dark blue and white tassel. Black stock. Very dark (almost Prussian) blue coat, white collar, lapels, cuffs, turnbacks, white edge to shoulder strap. No lace, white metal buttons. Heart patches covering hooks and eyes on turnbacks black or very dark blue. Dark blue waistcoat, white metal buttons. Dark blue breeches, white metal buttons. White inner stocking. Black gaiters, white metal buttons.

Fusilier and Grenadier of the Sardinian Regiment La Marina 1750-1773

Unit history: First raised as militia 1701. Becomes La Marina 1714. One battalion of 10 companies after 1749. Heavily involved in the War of the Polish Succession and the War of the Austrian Succession. Commanders: 1746-1759 Antonio Faletti Compte du Morra 1759-1762 Ignace Thaon du Revel 1762-1769 Camille Compte du Richelmi

Uniform: Fusilier (left): Black tricorne, white laced edge, yellow metal button, white strap, mid-blue cockade. Blue-yellow-blue pompon on right side (out of view). Black stock. Very dark (almost Prussian) blue coat, orangey-yellow collar, lapels, cuffs, turnbacks, yellow edge to shoulder strap. No lace, yellow metal buttons. Heart patches covering hooks and eyes on turnbacks black or very dark blue. Orangey-yellow waistcoat, yellow metal buttons. Dark blue breeches, yellow metal buttons. White inner stocking. White gaiters, yellow metal buttons.

Grenadier (top): Black fur cap, yellow bag with yellow edge and yellow tassel. Black stock. Very dark (almost Prussian) blue coat, orangey-yellow collar, lapels, cuffs, turnbacks, yellow edge to shoulder strap. No lace, yellow metal buttons. Heart patches covering hooks and eyes on turnbacks black or very dark blue. Orangey-yellow waistcoat, yellow metal buttons. Dark blue breeches, yellow metal buttons. White inner stocking. Black gaiters, yellow metal buttons.

Fusilier and Grenadier of the Sardinian Guards Regiment 1750-1773

Unit history: Raised 1636. Organised as 2 battalions after 1704. First saw action in the War of the Polish Succession. Heavily involved in the War of the Austrian Succession. Commander: 1744-1769 Giuseppe Ottavio Cacherano Osasco Compte della Rocca

Uniform: Fusilier (left): Black tricorne, white laced edge, white metal button, white strap, mid-blue cockade. Black stock. Very dark (almost Prussian) blue coat, deep red collar, lapels, cuffs, turnbacks, red edge to shoulder strap. White lace, white metal buttons. Heart patches covering hooks and eyes on turnbacks black or very dark blue. Deep red waistcoat, white lace, white metal buttons. Deep red breeches, white metal buttons. White inner stocking. White gaiters, white metal buttons.

Grenadier (top): Black fur cap, deep red bag edged white with white tassel. (1750-3, bag deep red edged yellow with tassel horizontally divided red-yellow-black.) Black stock. Very dark (almost Prussian) blue coat, deep red collar, lapels, cuffs, turnbacks, red edge to shoulder strap. White lace, white metal buttons. Heart patches covering hooks and eyes on turnbacks black or very dark blue. Deep red waistcoat, white lace, white metal buttons. Deep red breeches, white metal buttons. White inner stocking. Black gaiters, white metal buttons.

Coming next - Fusilier and Grenadier of the Sardinian Guards Regiment 1753-1773

As I've done some Sardinian flags I couldn't resist the siren lure of some Sardinian uniforms. I should really finish the cavalry on which I've been working for ages (e.g. French Cuirassiers Du Roi) but I find the fiddly bits like the shabraques rather wearing at times; infantry are so much more relaxing to do. :-) So I've now completed a fusilier and grenadier of the Sardinian Guards Regiment. It's 3.45am, though, and I just don't have the energy to do the exporting to .png and other faffing about before posting so I'll leave putting up the real templates until tomorrow - which also means that I can check and recheck them before posting and not have the all too common experience of spotting some glitch when I've posted and frantically having to take the image off, fix the original and re-export etc., etc.. Here's a quick snapshot of the very French-style uniforms (except that the colours are very Prussian - dark blue and red, in this case).

Source of very useful fonts for maps

I just thought I'd mention that here on Tom Mouat's site: http://www.mapsymbs.com/fontstuf.html is a very useful source of mapping fonts, especially the Map Icon font and the Napoleonic font.

At the bottom is what's on the Napoleonic font (very useful for maps/plans of battle reports):

And at the top is what's on the Map Icons font.

They're missing a lot of the specific period Central European/German items on which I'm working but it does mean I don't necessarily have to cover everything (unless the energy and urge strike, of course! :-)).

"Ordinanza" or Regimental Flag of Sardinian Italian Regiment Torino, 1772-4

It's from rather later in the 18th century than the SYW but I like it so here is the flag of the Sardinian Regiment Torino (Turin).

More thoughts on map symbols...

Well, after the initial shock of realising that my map symbols suffer from some form of progressive elephantiasis (see comments on previous posting - we were in danger of reaching 1:1 scale designs ;-)), I've been rethinking the strategy and have been looking into designing a font for map symbols rather than graphics symbols themselves. This may be complete insanity (or lead to complete insanity) but it would have the advantage for users that they could drop the symbols into almost any program they are using for drawing maps and not have to convert my symbols into some format or other than .svg before they can use them. It would have the advantage for me that the very format restricts the potential size and complexity to some extent. A possible disadvantage is that the font would be black and white and users would need to do all the colouring for themselves but that should be relatively easy. I've found a free font designer that may be up to the job (whether or not I will remains to be seen!). More on this as I work my way through the program and try to produce something... If anyone has any thoughts, ideas or experience to share, I'd like to hear them; thanks!

In the meantime, I'll also be back to drawing more templates and flags; but at this moment I need to get a cat's details and photograph on to the rehoming page of the cat rehoming charity for whom I do the website, and then to bed as it's nearly 3.30am here. :-)

Another map symbol - a classic German timber-framed farmhouse

The drawing was becoming insanely detailed so I decided to simplify, having reminded myself that these are map symbols, not architects' drawings! :-) I do love timber-framed buildings, so I may finish the madly detailed version as another piece of clip art. At this rate I should finish a few dozen symbols by the year 2012, so that's another reason to simplify the process. Only 4 or 5 more farmhouses to go, and I'm also working on 2 bridges. These are being done while having meals so I can justify the time, although not perhaps the occasional indigestion.

Next I think I'll take a break from maps for a while and finish at least one of the cavalryman templates on which I've been working, on and off, for months - probably a Luckner Hussar first but we'll see.