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The Austrian infantry pack in double-peaked shako was out of stock when I ordered, so here we have an Austrian in the pre-1798 uniform. There are two major differences to be seen - first, the leather cap is worn in place of the later shako and, second, the pack is worn on a diagonal strap, not a shoulder harness. A line of “true” 15 mm figures, this one measures 15.0 mm from sole to eye. The Chariot line is one that tends to suffer from gnomeitis - the propensity for torsos and legs to be out of scale with each other.
The detail on this example is good and tends toward a high-contrast style. The cuffs, for example, are raised quite a bit from the sleeves. However, the waist belt has a nice buckle, the musket is well done, and the turnbacks are nicely distinct. Note: this is a German grenadier which I have deliberately painted in Hungarian colors (he should have white trousers, not blue). The gaiters, like the cuffs, are quite thick and look more like boots to me. The bayonet, however, looks oversized. It is a full 5 mm long (or about 30 inches).
The anatomy is somewhat problematical. The thighs are too short compared to the shins; the head is too large for the torso. The right arm is too long below the elbow (if left to dangle his hand would be well below his knee). None of these would be fatal by itself, but taken together they give rise to a figure that looks slightly freakish. I dare say on a gaming table it would look just fine, but up close it just looks “off.”
I like the pose, however. Head up, musket firmly held, this is a stout soldier. A bit gangly perhaps, but looking steady enough.
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