A small step for the Russian 1808 collection. In fact, even though this is just one piece, limbers are always some of the most labor-intensive models that you would do for Napoleonic figures. This 6-pounder limber is the third I have done, which means I have one limber team for each brigade, two 6-pounders and one 3-pounder. Id like to do a 12-pounder battery with limber as well at some point. However, the 6-p team will do nicely as a stand in for a 12-p limber team until then – and I havent even started on the guns and artillerymen of the 12-pounders yet. 12-p teams were of six horses rather than four. However, I know that the Swedish army reduced the number of horses for their artillery during 1808. It would not be impossible to imagine that the Russians might have done the same, and actually used only four horses for the 12-pounders as well. In any event, Ill be quite pleased when I have finished the rest of the Russian artillery that I have prepared. I have about 10 crew and three cannon still to go. Having done the third limber team, the largest hurdle is now behind me.
The model is by Perry miniatures of course, with heads taken from Brigade Games line infantry. The model comes without the ropes which connect the limber to the horses. I added these with some string. This time I used some modelling string which I bought especially for the purpose. Previously, I have used regular kitchen string which worked just as well. Tying the strings to the model pieces is tricky, as the string has a tendency to unfurl at the edges. This is why the ropes look somewhat wonky here and there. I did the best I could, and it works well enough. But the connecting ropes were the reason I hadnt finished this model for so long. In more recently produced limber teams, the Perry bros have included connecting ropes with the model, which is a huge improvement. But even without those, the Perrys’ limber teams are probably the best on the market, and they have a wide selection of them as well. They havent produced a limber team for Swedish artillery yet, so I am lookin forward to that. In the meantime, I have used one of their Austrian sets. Ive also acquired their recent Danish limber team and will try to convert that into a Swedish team. The Swedes lack a third limber team, so that will be a priority project looking forward.
Pancratist 