Spring Cleaning Challenge: Imperial Guard (PROJECT COMPLETE!)
Just What are They?
The Minis Themselves are Zouaves. Originally French Troops they became Something of a Fashion in the Mid to late 19th Century and there were Even Zouaves in the Early Days of WWI. 
The Heads are from Perry Miniatures Sudanese Ansar (Late 20th Century). Those of you who've seen Dad's Army, these are the "Fuzzy Wuzzy's" that Corproal Jones talks about. Although Jones would have served during the later part of the war when the warriors of the Ansar wore shaved heads. The Sergeants Swords also COme from this kit, the Sudanese still carry them today, they're called Kaskara and inspired by Crusader Era Cruciform Swords. They were often kept on a loose sling worn over the shoulder or on a saddle pommel. The Blades themselves seem to have been European Imports on Locally Made Hilts. 
The Helmet's Faux Hair Covers are Inspired by the Japanese. All the Branches Have a Trim Colour which for the infantry is Pink.
Ok so that’s the Uniforms but what about the equipment.
The Men all Cary MK III “Tribal Pattern” Las Muskets that are muzzle Loaded with 50, 100 or 200 Round Magazines. The Magazine is simply placed in the barrel, the Musket butt of the Musket in then tapped on the ground to seat the magazine which magnetically clamps into place. Extra Ammunition is kept underneath the Barrel of the Musket where a Ramrod would Traditionally be held.
The Las Musket has Four Firing Modes. Safe, Full Auto, Semi Auto and Single Shot.
The Firing Mode is selected with the Hammer. Being drawn back slightly is Fully Automatic, Halfway is Semi Automatic and “Full Cock” is Single Shot.
The Nipple (yes that’s what it’s really called) has a gas vent that moves the hammer. For Full Auto the Valve is slightly opened allowing a small amount of gas to move the hammer a short way. For Semi Auto the valve is opened further which moves the hammer back further enabling it to move far enough to return to the semi auto position.
The Mode can be locked via a Selector Switch near the Trigger Guard. This way if the hammer doesn’t rebound enough to engage the Semi Automatic it will default to safe rather than Fully Automatic.
Every Man carries at least one spare Selector Assembly, if theirs malfunctions it can be easily removed and replaced in less than five minutes using a small tool that is also carried with the man.
Each Man also carries a Grenade Pouch in the form of a stiffened Leather Box on their Right Hip. Each Carries Four or Five Grenades in there along with the spare Selector Assembly. The man’s Company is written in Roman Numerals on the Box.
On their Left Hip they carry a Forage Bag that can be filled with personal property.
Here you can see the Grenade Box with extra Grenades attached via external hooks for even more carrying capacity.
The Full Auto Position
The Gas Valve in the Full Auto Position. The Red is the Uncovered Part.
The Semi Auto Position.
The Gas Valve in the Semi Auto Position. The Red is the Uncovered Part.
The Single Shot Position
The tribal Flak Jacket. The Chest and Back are Lined with Armour Plates that give the Wearer the Same Protection as the Standard Flak Jacket although they lack Direct Chest Protection and have Better Side Protection.
Sergeants and Officers Wear Turbans around a Helmet. The Helmet is in their Tribal Colour while the Wrap is in the Pink of the Infantry.
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