Del Prado Prussian Foot Guard Grenadier 1813: Guard Infantry in a Coalition Year

Del Prado · Napoleonic Wars · Prussia, 1813

The tall pale plume and white cross-belts make this Prussian Guard grenadier a striking upright figure. His 1813 date places the subject in the renewed war against Napoleon, well beyond Prussia’s earlier defeat in 1806.

Prussia after military reform

The Prussian army underwent major changes after the defeats of 1806. Reform affected organisation, service and leadership before Prussia returned to war against Napoleon in 1813. A Guard infantry figure from that year belongs to this later army, rather than to a simple continuation of its earlier appearance and structure.

For a collector, the date is therefore an important part of the subject. It helps separate this model from eighteenth-century Prussian grenadiers and from the spiked-helmet infantry of a much later era.

Plume, straps and straight lines

The reference photograph shows dark upper clothing, light trousers, crossed white straps and a very tall pale plume. The weapon lies close to one side of the figure, reinforcing its vertical outline. Small coloured accents at the collar and cuffs break up the dark coat.

The plume makes the figure visible at the back of a shelf, but its height also attracts attention away from the uniform. A closer view of the chest and headgear is useful when matching a loose example. Compare the shape and position of the straps before relying on minor paint differences.

Checking the upper silhouette

Inspect the plume tip, the narrow section where it meets the hat and the weapon’s upper end. Ask for a side view to expose bends. Pale trousers and belts are good places to look for chips or mismatched retouching.

A Young Guard flanker dated 1813 makes a useful opposite number in a comparative display. Leave room between their weapons and give both clear national labels. Together they introduce two different Guard traditions within the same campaign year without pretending the poses reconstruct one documented encounter.

For a visual comparison across time, place this figure near a Prussian infantry subject dated 1914, with the years clearly separated. The change from plume and white trousers to field clothing and a covered spiked helmet is immediately readable. The pair offers a compact study of changing appearance without implying identical regimental traditions.

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