1. India Pattern Musket from Frank Platt

This firearm was first taken into service by the British Army in February 1794, but when was it actually accepted for service by the East India Company?

R. Scurfield has noted an example bearing the date 1779 on its lock. I am also interested to learn whether firearms answering the description of the India Pattern - not necessarily in the ownership of the E.I.C. were used in the American colonies.

Highlanders in the American War 1755-1793 from Stuart Reid

Inspection reports from the end of the war reveal that the 42nd had abandoned the belted plaid and philabeg in favour of ticken breeches or gaiter trousers. The reports make it quite clear that this was done on the Colonel's own initiative yet there appears to be a general assumption that the two battalions of the 71st Fraser's Highlanders, and the 76th MacDonald's Highlanders (one battalion) did likewise. Can anyone provide any documentary or other evidence that this was so or did these units retain plaid and philabeg?

3. 'Volontiers Etrangers' from the Editor

Having typed Charles Vasey's review of Mohawk, I dug it out of my games cupboard, and promptly got myself scalped. However, before succumbing, I noticed a French regiment entitled 'Volontiers Etrangers.' In the past, this unit had caused long discussions at the games club over whether it was the 18th century equivalent of the French Foreign Legion, the local grasp of the French language being somewhat weak. Can anyone account for this regiment, and its (apparently) curious name?

See also Military Answers #3: Q3. Volontaires Etrangeres in 18CMN&Q #2.
See also Military Answers #3: Q3. The Volontaires Etrangeres
in 18CMN&Q #3.

The Royal Suedois Regiment after the Revolution from Gunnar Brolin

This regiment began as 500 prisoners taken from the Swedish contingent at the battle of Fleurus in 1690. They formed the regiment de Leisler, later becoming the regiment Sparre. In the War of the Austrian Succession, it was the regiment Apelgrehn, and after its contribution to the siege of Prague, was raised to the status of a royal regiment as the Royal-Suedois. In 1792 it was amalgamated. Can anyone supply information on its career after that date?

See also Military Answers #4: Regiment Royal Suedois in 18CMN&Q #2.

See also Military Answers #4: Regiment Royal Suedois in 18CMN&Q #3.

See also Regiment Royal Suedois: In the Amalgames and Empire in 18CMN&Q #5.