SYW and WSS figure compatability

[Last Hussar]

Was going to do SYW- bought a pack of Russians to test

Now doing WSS Prussians.

How compatable are the two, or should I put the Russians away for a year?

[Leon]

The SYW/Marlburian ranges were all done by the same designer, so you can mix and match as much as you want.

[Last Hussar]

So the uniforms are similar then?

[clibinarium]

You could use the Marlburians for French infanrty in full skirtted coats for both wars, some things will be a bit different; officers wear might fullerwigs in the early century, not a huge deal, but I'd say thats about it for compatabiility. SYW coats hmostly have trunbacks, lapels and a closer cut which make them quite different. Depends on how much of a purist you are. (I am one so I wouldn't do it!) I suppose it would be comparable to substituting WW1 germans in Stahlhelms for WW2 germans; they are similar, not identical; some people wouldn't be bothered, some would swoon away.

[Last Hussar]

But in 10mm Would someone spot they were Russian SYW not Prussian WSS

[clibinarium]

I would, people familiar with the period probably would, people standing at a table; very possibly not





Again to me they are very distinct, but I have to be pedantic because I'm a sculptor. However the big cartrdge belt is common to both as is the tricorn (grenadier mitres are quite distinct). The only big problem I suppose is the turnbacks; if you can get over that, then I guess they could be used.

Most of the SYW Russians though are in their summer uniform of waistcoats; quite short and no cuffs, they'd be less useful.

[lentulus]

... but I have to be pedantic because I'm a sculptor....

Yes you do, and the rest of us rely on it. 

However, that does not mean those of us with figures and tight budgets might not try to push the envelope.  I have a pack of Crimean Brit Hussars that are going to have a turn at being 18th Century Hussars until I have enough line in place to fill in the corners, and I bet no-one I play with with pick up on it.  And I may well pick up the WSS mounted command pack to get a few more mounted officer poses -- I think I will need quite a few brigadiers even with all the nice personality figures in the SYW line.

[maciek]

Pendraken's SYW and WSS figures are based on the same dollies.
You cam mix them freely.  We use SYW officers for WSS, you can see it in this topic:
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=586.0

With cavalry, the matter is even easier - you can "unwrap" the turnbacks with greenstuff. Sadly, Pendraken's WSS cavalry represents only British horsemen, not German, which differed a bit. All the German cavalry can be done basing on SYW Austrian dragoons and French Cavalry. The only problems are turnbacks and haircut - during WSS there was no queues. I regularly use SYW musicians in horse regiments composed of WSS figures. I bet, you couldn't find the difference.

Generally, when talking about conversions, please bearin mind, that we don't know how exactly the WSS soldiers looked like. There was no uniform regulations issued by state, so the cut of the coat could differ, as well as the way they wore it. Picture of Prussian grenadier, posted above is good example. Some sources show Prussians in open coats, others - in buttoned. But remember, that the same soldiers, who in the heat of the summer wore open coats, in cold weather could do it up.

But aswering your question - yes, you can use SYW Russians for WSS Prussians. You shall only - unwrap the turnbacks, cut off the queue, and generally, change the haircut. Some purist would also point, that during WSS only grenadiers had musket slings, but this is the thing I'm not convinced. As I mentioned, there were no central regulations and some sources indicate, that at least some musketeer regiments also use slings.

[Last Hussar]

Thanks for the pics- I've been all over the net looking for some sort of guide!  The only other one of any use is on Baccus.

As it happens I bought the winter ones on purpose- in summer in their waistcoats the Russians are all in red, and as Sunjester and I said- If we wanted to do red, we'd get the British.  Not sure WHY we've taken against the Brits- possibly because so many people use them in H&M, and we want 'not-red' lines.

The dark blue uniforms eat light, and on the table I don't think the lines will show on 10mm- the white belts will draw the eye.  I'm not sure I have the patience or the skill to green stuff 30 10mm figures