French uniforms according to the Otto manuscript (1807).

The so-called Otto manuscript is a contemporary series of images with systematic depictions of the uniforms of the Napoleonic army around the year 1807.

It is therefore a primary source.

However, it is not dated.

The illustrations are also not signed. The series is attributed to Major Otto von Baden.

Other commentators consider a German artist named Kolb or Kolbe to be the creator of this series of images.

The origin is thus disputed.

In any case, these are detailed and somewhat naive depictions of all branches of arms (guard and line) and various ranks, including the column vanguards (drum majors, musicians).

Below are some (original) facsimiles of the actual drawings by various artists. The original series itself is considerably more extensive.

The series is presented in full by Guy C. Dempsey, Jr., Nappleon`s Soldiers, London 1994. There, 98 plates are shown and also discussed.