Blandford To The Rescue

DESPITE my (correct) observation that hussar uniforms did not change much over the decades, I have found it difficult making exact 1870 French and Prussian matches for my Armies In Plastic Crimean War British hussars.
Somewhat surprisingly, it has been easier to find suitable Prussian uniforms than French ones.
The main problem with the latter is that by the time of the Franco-Prussian War, some French hussar units had replaced their busbies with kepis, while most of those that still had busbies liked to adorn them with prominent plumes, which the AIP British hussars do not have.
In the end I have turned to that trusted old standby, Blandford's Military Uniforms Of The World In Colour.
On facing pages of the book are a corporal from France's 2nd hussars in 1870 and a lieutenant of Brunswick's hussars in 1871.

French hussar (top left) and Brunswickian hussar (top right)

According to the book, which cost me £1.50 in 1973, the French regiment only wore a red bag on its busby for parades. My French hussars will have red bags - luckily, formal attire is not inappropriate for toy soldiers.
The lieutenant, who is from Brunswick's hussar regiment number 17, would have worn his red bag on the right of his busby in 1870, but this changed to the left in 1871.
The Armies In Plastic British hussars have their busby bags trailing to the rear, presumably because they are depicted charging, or at least galloping.
In any event, my French and Prussian Brunswickian hussars should look fairly accurate, or as accurate as my painting skills allow.