Austrian vs French Napoleonic Infantry: Key Differences
By Victrix Limited 28mm miniatures | Published: 2026-10-18
Category: Comparisons
Compare Austrian and French Napoleonic infantry sets for 28mm wargaming. Learn about unit sizes, pose variety, and which fits your army best.
Quick Answer
Choose Austrian infantry for dense march-attack formations and a mounted colonel; choose French Middle Guard for flexible firing poses and elite campaign dress.
Unit Size and Composition
The Austrian set contains 56 figures including a mounted colonel, while the French Middle Guard set offers 60 figures with no mounted officer. Both provide enough miniatures for a full battalion, but the Austrian set's mounted colonel adds a command focal point that the French set lacks.
Pose Versatility
Austrian infantry focuses on march attack poses (32 figures) with 16 figures convertible to firing, loading, or advancing at porte. French Middle Guard offers 16 firing line poses, 16 march attack, and 16 convertible to march attack or advancing at porte/charge, giving more balanced pose options for skirmish or line actions.
Trade-offs at a Glance
- Austrian Infantry Set: 56 figures, mostly march attack, with a mounted colonel. Best for massed line advances. Ideal if you want a classic Austrian battalion with a mounted commander.
- French Middle Guard Set: 60 figures with more firing poses. Lacks a mounted colonel but offers better pose variety. Better if you need a flexible elite unit that can skirmish or form line.
- Pose Flexibility: Austrian set has 16 convertible poses; French set has 32 convertible poses (16 firing + 16 march/charge). French set gives you more options for dynamic dioramas or varied unit fronts.
Product Facts
- Austrian Napoleonic Infantry 1806-1815: 56 Austrian 28mm miniatures including 2 mounted colonels, 2 officers, 2 standard bearers, 2 drummers, and 48 infantry. The mounted colonel adds a strong command presence and is a unique asset for Austrian players who want a cavalry commander on foot.
Austrian Napoleonic Infantry 1806-1815 - Napoleon's French Middle Imperial Guard: 60 figures representing Napoleon's Middle Guard with 4 officers, 4 standard bearers, 4 drummers, and 48 infantry in varied poses. The higher figure count and balanced pose mix allow you to field a full elite battalion with both firing and marching ranks.
Napoleon's French Middle Imperial Guard
Which Set Fits Your Army?
Best for
- Players building an Austrian line battalion with a mounted colonel
- Wargamers who prefer dense march-attack formations
Not for
- Players who need a French elite unit with firing poses and no mounted officer
- Those who want maximum pose variety for a single unit
