Wednesday 27 June 2018

Ottoman Nazim-i Cedid infantry

Ever since I started the French in Egypt project back in in November last year it has been my intention to include a force from the Ottoman Empire. I do not intended this to be a standalone force, but rather supports for the British.

 

As a support force this will be relatively small (did I really say that?) and I have decided on a force of six infantry units and three cavalry. I have decided to go with the Brigade Games range, largely because they are they are the only manufacturer of specifically Napoleonic Ottoman troops, but also because they are Paul Hicks designs and a wonderful sculpts.

 

The first figures arrived a couple of weeks back and had been waiting for the French dragoons to clear the painting table.

 

The first unit is a regiment of Nazim-i Cedid (sometimes Nizam-i Djedid) infantry supported by their Imam. 



Above the command set and below the Imam who will provide inspiration for the regiment.

 

Following the humiliating defeat in the Second Russo-Turkish war in the late 1700s Sultan Selim III instituted the Nazim-i-Cedid, or “New Order” to westernise the Ottoman army. He brought in foreign military advisers and organised two training institutions along European lines. He used French drills and instructors. The first test for the new order troops came early in the campaign against the French in 1799 at the Siege of Acre where they performed well.

 





This regiment is the first of what will be two in this force. The simple uniform is striking as it is simple with red jacket and headgear, and dark blue pants…and let’s face it, how often do you get to paint red shoes on historical wargames figures?

18 comments:

  1. They are great Mark, I have some of Old Glory's which are OK.
    True they are fun to paint and make for a very different gaming experience.
    Cheers
    Stu

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    1. Thanks Stu, they were fun (and quick) to paint. I should have the janissaries finished tonight.

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  2. Like the shoes...good job on the figures!

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  3. They look great Mark - bit the bullet and bought the expensive Brigade Games figures eh....if its any consolation, they do look like very nice figures!

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    1. Yes got in before the exchange rate plunged and made them even dearer. They certsinly are very nice. Tonight I will finish the janissaries.

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  4. I do like the mix of red and blue shades, an atmospheric and wonderful unit!

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    1. Thank you Phil. Its nice to work on something that is completely different.

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  5. Lovely looking Ottomans, nice sculpts, great shoes! So tell me about this small force concept,Im having trouble getting my head around that!
    Best Iain

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  6. I concur, Iain, this small force concept is hard to grasp.

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  7. Nicely done Mark, they will round out your Egyptian project very nicely. Do you have any plans to pit them against Russians at any stage? That must be quite a tempting proposition.

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    1. I have done the janissaries now and will finish the bases tonight. The rest of that army will be a slow build - even more so since our dollar has plumetted against the US.

      I am keen to fight the Russsians, but that would mean a lot more Ottomans and then some early Russians...the latter could of course be used against my future Swedish army project.

      Significant day today - became a Kiwi...it has only taken 54 years and 9 months!

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  8. Some very nice additions to your growing novelty Napoleonic hat project...

    Congratulations... 54years and 9 months... that is some serious red tape...

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Yes you are right...that IS another three hat types and there are some more coming with the next group of Ottomans.

      The 54 years 9 months is less red tape and much more apathy on my part.

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  9. Hello. Where you find the information about color of belts (black). Some plates show only black leather ammunition, other - only white.

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    1. In truth I can't recall. Most likely if there was conflicting evidence I chose what looked best!

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  10. How do these figs, compare in size with say Perry's and Steve Barber models

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    1. I can’t speak to the Steve Barber models, but the are fine with the Perrys, albeit that the Brigade are more expensive.

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