Del Prado 95th Rifles Sergeant 1811: Green Uniform, Visible Authority

Del Prado · Peninsular War · British Army, 1811

Dark green clothing, a red waist accent and an upright weapon give this 95th Rifles sergeant a disciplined appearance. Del Prado’s figure adds a non-commissioned officer to the familiar story of British rifle troops.

The regiment behind the number

The rifle corps formed in 1800 and became the 95th Regiment of Foot in 1802. It served in the Peninsular War before later becoming the Rifle Brigade. A figure dated 1811 therefore belongs to the regiment’s numbered period and should not be confused with a later Victorian rifleman.

The sergeant’s rank is also worth retaining. Non-commissioned officers linked orders from above with the daily management of soldiers. A collection gains something by showing that responsibility alongside officers and ordinary riflemen, even when their clothing shares a common colour.

A restrained colour scheme

The photograph shows a dark uniform, tall headgear and a long weapon held vertically beside the figure. A red band at the waist and light details around the neck break up the dark green clothing. The stance is steady, with the legs close together.

The model’s appearance is easiest to judge in even light. Underexposed photographs can turn green nearly black and merge straps with the coat. Compare the placement of the hands, weapon and waist detail before deciding that a colour difference indicates a separate version.

What to look for in a listing

Check the weapon’s straightness, the brim of the headgear and the painted waist detail. Raised edges on dark clothing can lose paint without being obvious from the front. A rear photograph helps reveal the state of the equipment and coat.

Place this figure beside a Portuguese caçador to introduce the allied light infantry theme. The contrasting brown and green uniforms work well together. Keep their dates visible and use a plain background so the darker details remain legible from normal shelf-viewing distance.

The sergeant can be displayed as part of a rank comparison as well as a light infantry group. Put an officer, a non-commissioned officer and a rank-and-file subject in a short row, then explain each role on its label. This gives repeated green uniforms a clear purpose beyond simply filling a regimental section.

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