Uniforms and Equipment
me régiment d'infanterie de ligne
3
Our group's various impressions are those of the troops and camp followers of the 3me régiment d'infanterie de ligne in 1810.
The 1809-1812 period has, without a doubt, the richest uniform standards of the era.
The reproduction of the specifics of each uniform for a given period requires an important amount of research which is carried out by the members of our group.
Although these standards were established by the highest military authorities, each regimental colonel interpreted these guidelines in his own manner.
One such particularity of the 3me de ligne was the wearing of the bearskin bonnet by the regiment’s grenadiers up until 1812, although the wearing of the bearskin bonnet by line infantry grenadiers had been abolished in 1806.
There were also certain regiments which were given exceptional rights in the manner their troops were outfitted. Epaulettes, shako plumes and briquette sabres was generally reserved to the Grenadier and voltigeur companies of each battalion. Fusiliers were not to wear these uniform distinctions.
The 3me de ligne was however given a special status around 1807-1808 for it’s exceptional battle honours, which permitted their fusiliers to wear a red over royal blue plume on their shakos as well as the right to carry a sabre-briquet with a red and royal blue dragonne when on parade.
The following pages will present detailed information of the various components which make up the uniforms of the impressions which we presently recreate.