Russian grenadiers and musketeers 1702-1721. (30mm)

  Among the first deeds of the famous Russian tsar Peter the Great was army reforming. One of the first new regiments to be formed were Preobrazhensky and Semionovsy Guards regiments. They were formed in 1690-ies on the basis of "toy-soldiers" detachment of the young tzar Peter Alexeevich. They had their war baptism during the siege of Asove town in 1696-97. By the end of the 17-th          century Preobrazhensky and Semionovsy regiments became a training school of officers and non-commissioned officers of the young Russian army. After the unfortunate battle at Narva on the 19 of November 1700 Preobrazhensky and Semionovsy regiments acquired the honorary title of "Life-Guards".
  Up to 1702 all Russian soldiers wore the so called "polish" or "hungarian" dress. First to receive the new "german" uniform were Guards regiments - green for Preobrazhensky and light blue for Semionovsky regiment. Waistcoats, cuffs, culottes and stockings were red. The officers uniform was decorated with golden lace and gallons, their hats bore red and white feathers.
  From 1703 to 1705 all the Russian army was redressed in the new-style uniform. The shortage of green cloth led to a wide use of multicolored dress. Blue, red, yellow and grey coats were common with bleu, red and white facings. Stockings were green, white, red or grey. Only in the end of the Great Northern War in 1721 all Russian regular infantry became dressed in traditional green coats with red facings. The bulk of the regiments consisted of musketeers which wore "tricorne" or later "carpus" headdress. There were from 70 to 100 elite solders or "grenadiers" in each infantry regiment. They wore distinctive "mitre" caps of european style usually decorated with a tassel and cord of various colors. The front and back flaps of grenadier's caps bore eagles, grenades, palm leafs and arms made in color embroidery.
  The armament of rank and file consisted of a musket with a bayonet and a sword, cartridge pouch and powder horn. Grenadiers were also equipped with grenade pouch for 3 to 5 grenades. Officers and NCOs were armed with pole arms - partisans and halberds, not to count grenadier officers who had muskets as well.