German infantry

So, following up from the last post, here is the end result of rejuvenating and expanding my German mercenary infantry. A mix of old (some very old) and newly painted figures, rebased and re-organised into three units.

I like my heavy infantry in units of thirty, in three densely packed ranks, all in advancing/attacking poses, for that forest of polearms effect. When it comes to models in stationary/defending poses, I find they work best in smaller units of twenty. So here we have two thirty-strong advancing units and one twenty-strong stationary unit.

These represent the German mercenaries who were recruited in large numbers to fight for Maximilian in his wars against the French. Many of these 'Germans' were in fact Swiss. They march under various flags bearing the cross of Burgundy, but don't wear any sort of livery or badge, giving them a nice multi-coloured appearance.

What makes them look specifically German? A few details:

- Helmets are predominantly Germanic sallets and kettle hats.

- Armour is all mail and plate - no 'soft' armour or brigandines (actually there is a single figure wearing a padded jack).

- Their polearms are almost entirely halberds, of various different designs. A scattering of spears and a few glaives... but mostly halberds.

- Many of them wear Swiss-style headwear: turbans and large feathers.

- Lots of German/Swiss basilard daggers.

The armament of German infantry seems to have been halberds, pikes, crossbows and handguns. I do have a small number of Germanic missile troops to go with these units, and I would very much like to recruit more handgunners. And I do have separate pike blocks too, which are going to get a similar sprucing up sometime soon.

Lots of photos now, as this post covers three whole units.