Karoliner (40mm) MOULDS
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| The Karoliner moulds, the French Regiments 1750 and the Irish Wild Geese are the same moulds. S901, F901 & I901 are the same mould supplied with a lable with a picture appropriate to that regiments colour scheme. PA912, PA913, PA936 and PA937 are larger moulds and require 54mm support boards for easy casting. They are still 40mm figures, but with longer ingates to enhance casting accessability. Pike heads require copper rods to create the full pikes. Each pike mould contains 3 copper rods. Additional rods are available in packs of 10. Drill a 2 mm hole in the cast pikehead with a 1 mm drill hole. Dip the drill bit into a little white spirit prior to drilling to prevent metal sticking to the drill. Check out Karoliner and Russian Uniform options by Hugh Morton. Downloadable Flags - just click on the thumbnails below: |
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How to make a Battle scene using Karoliner Pikemen & Cavalry.
How to Cast & Paint a Karoliner Pikeman.
Diorama pictures were submitted by Jan Arnerdal, to see more of his work go to http://www.drabanten.se
Painting Guide for 912, 913, 936 and 937 (PDF format).
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Karoliners and Russian Uniforms by Hugh Morton
Frequently Asked Questions
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THE CAROLINE ARTILLERY
 In order, during an attack, to give the
infantry battalion the largest possible fire- power, 2-, 3-, or 6- pound
cannons were placed between the battalions. The ammunition used for these
were (the so called) "gershwinda" shot (a standard cartridge with a charge
and projectile all in one). To load and fire a cannon with this type of
cartridge, at least 4 men were required. One man to place the cartridge
into the barrel and a second man to pound it down into the bottom of the
barrel with the ramrod. The third man was needed to place the fuse in
the fuse-hole and the fourth man to set fire to the fuse with a lighting
torch. With these cartridges the artillery were able to fire 5 - 6 times
faster than the musketeers with their rifles. With Prince August figures
you can build your own artillery for both infantry support and firing
on fortresses. Several of the figures can be used in different combinations,
fig 1.shows what the figures look like, that we use in the following examples.
If you want to create artillery for infantry support, place just one cannon
between your battalions. The artillery will take up too much space if
you use more, this way it will give a better idea of what it looked like
next to the massive infantry. Fig 2.Shows examples of how you can place
the figures for loading and firing the cannon. The arrows show the direction
the figures should face. You can of course increase the support for the
cannons with further artillerymen but you need a minimum of four men for
each cannon. If you want to arrange a battery for the bombardment of a
fortress, 4 - 6 cannons would be adequate. They are then placed in line
and must be provided with enough support for positioning, loading and
firing, according to fig 3. Also, keep in mind that you ought to have
an infantry troop standing by to help keep potential enemy cavalry at
bay. |
THE CAROLINE INFANTRY BATTALION
| A battalion in Karl Xllth army consisted of four companies of 150 men in each, in all 600 men. A regiment consisted normally of two battalions, or 1200 men. For most collectors it would be virtually impossible to cast and paint such a large amount of figures within a reasonable time, therefor it is normal to decrease the battalions to a ratio of 1/10. This gives a battalion of 60 men and a regiment of 120 men. With careful planning of placing the figures the impression of volume and power can still be retained. You can use the following directions for placing 80 men (musketeers, foot soldiers and grenadiers) as well as the company standard bearers, officers and drummers. The battalions usually fought in a formation of four rows with an arms length between the men. The foot soldiers were placed in the middle of the battalion, the musketeers on both side and the grenadiers on the flanks. The front-line measured 185 meters long and 6 meters deep. When the battalion was commandeered to attack the drummers gave the drum roll to begin and then marked the rhythm with each step. About 70 steps away from the enemy the two back rows were commandeered to double up with the two front rows (get in between them), and fire a volley. The grenadiers also fired at the same time. After that they continued as they started, in four rows, when they were 30 steps away from the enemy, the first two rows were commandeered to fire a volley. At this stage, the grenadiers had brought out their hand grenades to light and throw. After the volley, the whole battalion stormed the enemy and used their lances and bayonets. |
The Advancing Battalion
| Since reducing the force by 1/10, it would be advisable to simplify
the attack. The following diagram shows the placement of the figures.
o= officer |
The Shooting Battalion
| When you have finished the placement of your attacking army it is time
to arrange a battalion to fire a volley. The easiest way is to change
the musketeers and grenadiers form the advancing formation to the firing
and waiting soldiers according to the following diagram.
gk= kneeling grenadier |
The Marching Battalion
| The following diagram is for the battalion during a march.
o= officer |
THE CAROLINE CAVALRY SQUADRON
| During the latter part of 1700 century, the Swedish cavalry practised for attack at a tremendous speed with their swords (rapiers) ready and in closely held formations. The sword (rapier) was mainly used, as a stabbing weapon, pistol volleys were never heard during an attack. The Swedish enemy cavalries fought at a considerably slower pace and often used pistol volleys from the first onslaught. |
The formation
| A squadron in Karl Xllth army comprised of two companies of 125 men in each, together 250 men. A cavalry regiment comprised of four squadrons, in all 1000 men. There was also a higher fighting division called distribution, which consisted of eight squadrons and was thought to be Karl Xllth own invention. For practical reasons reduce the ratio of your squadrons to 1/10 which gives each squadron 25 men. |
The Attack
| The squadrons attacked in a very tight formation, in the shape of a snow plough, in two rows, sometimes three. The plough formation was created through the riders to the left of the middleman kept their right knee behind his right comrades left knee and the riders to the right of the middleman kept their left knee behind his left comrades right knee. They used to say that the Swedish cavalry rode knee behind knee. During the attack the riders forced their mounts towards the middle of the formation. To the enemy it must have looked like a living wall of horses in full gallop. |
The attack with tin soldiers
| Since we have reduced the squadrons to 1/10 of its force, the best
would be to use two rows of figures. This way the overall effect will
not be diminished and the squadron will have the right width. You will
need two standard bearers, just like it's historical equivalent. The squadron
consists of a captain (commander), two officers, three non-commissioned
officers, two standard bearers, one trumpeter and sixteen privates. The
reason for the large amount of officers is because Karl Xllth squadrons
always doubled up to be able to quickly replace the fallen during an attack.
The following figure shows the formation.
r= captain (commander) |
BATTLE OF POLTAVA Links.