Soldiers and Sailors

15mm American Revolution

by Dan Schorr

Soldiers & Swords has released a new range of 15mm American War of Independence figures. The initial offerings in the range include the basic Continental and British troop types, as well as light and medium artillery. Later releases, some of which may already be available, will include Hessians, Loyalist Provincials and French. Received for review were Continental Line and Light Infantry, Minutemen, Light Dragoons, Artillerymen and Mounted Officer; and British Line and Light Infantry, Grenadiers, Highland Grenadiers, Standard Bearer, Light Dragoons and Mounted Officer.

All of the figures are 15M using the Barrett measure.The castings are clean and crisp with superb detail, including raised lace and buttons. In particular there is nice detail on the muskets, something that is often neglected. Each infantry pack contains two poses, firing and advancing. The exception is the minutemen pack which contains figures firing and loading. Another nice touch is the absence of bayonets on the muskets of most firing figures, while advancing figures have bayonets on their muskets.

Because of the variety of uniforms and headgear worn during the conflict, I think it would be helpful to provide a short description of the figures. The Continental Line infantrymen wears the regulation coat, cocked hat, half gaiters, haversack,canteen and cartridge box. The Light Infantrymen is wearing the later Light Infantry cap ca. 1779/1780, a short coat with shoulder wings, overalls, a canvas knapsack, canteen, cartridge box and bayonet. The Minutemen wear floppy hats and either a long civilian coat or a short jacket with haversack and powder horn.

The Light Dragoons wear the helmet and uniform of the Philadelphia Light Horse and are carrying their carbines across their chest.

The Artillerymen are in the unique helmet and uniform of the Rhode Island Train of Artillery, and are cast with rammer/sponge, ball or linstock.The British Line Infantryman wears the regulation coat, cocked hat, full gaiters, cartridge box and bayonet scabbard. The latter suspended from a belt worn over the right shoulder.

The Light Infantry figure appears in the typical short jacket, one of the many light infantry caps of the period, half - gaiters, goatskin knapsack, cartridge box, bayonet scabbard and stomach cartridge box. The Grenadier figure has the bearskin, regulation coat, full gaiters, knapsack, cartridge box and sword and bayonet scabbards.The Highland Grenadiers have the bearskin, short jacket with shoulder wings, full kilt (belted plaid), stockings and broadsword. The only command figures received were two British standard bearers. They appear in the typical officer's uniform with cocked hat and half - gaiters.

The flag is cast to the staff and has the cords and tassels. The Light Dragoon figure has the helmet worn by the 16th and 17th Dragoons and the standard uniform. The figure is carrying the sword resting on its rightshoulder.Only one horse figure is currently available. It is used for the dragoons of both sides, as well as the mounted officers. The horse is standing with saddle, pistol holsters. portmanteau and saddlebags cast on the figure.

All of the figures in this range are 100% lead - free. Infantry packs contain 24 figures in two poses; Cavalry packs have 12 figures; Command packs contain 16 figures, four each of officers, standard bearers, drummers and sergeants or fifers; and Artillery packs contain 2 guns, I limber, 2 horses, 2 crew sitting and four crew serving the gun. All packs are $6.75 and can be purchased from Soldiers & Swords, 25 Fayette Street, Binghamton, N.Y. 13901

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