KING & COUNTRY FW215 ADVANCING WITH RIFLE
Overview
Introduction and set overview
Historical context: German infantry in WWI
Collector notes
The review highlights King & Country’s FW215 “Advancing with Rifle,” a retired First World War German infantry figure released circa July 2015. This finely detailed miniature portrays a rifle-wielding soldier in motion, capturing period-accurate uniform and equipment. Collectors will appreciate its 1:30 scale style typical of K&C’s First World War (FW) line. The compact single-figure piece, made of lead alloy with hand-painted finish, remains sought-after despite no longer being produced, and secondary-market estimates run around US$80–90.
Historical Background
This miniature represents a German infantryman advancing with a rifle during World War I—likely around 1914–18 on the Western Front. German infantry uniforms featured the distinctive Pickelhaube early in the war, later replaced by the Stahlhelm to reduce vulnerability and improve protection; soldiers typically wore field-gray wool tunics and breeches, leather belts with Mauser 98 rifle, bayonet, gas mask canister and mess kit. The Mauser Gewehr 98, with its straight bolt and 7.92×57mm cartridge, was standard-issue and often fitted with a bayonet, used in both trench assaults and open advance. German infantry advanced in waves, sometimes employing creeping artillery barrages to precede the infantry in coordinated attacks, notably in battles such as the Somme (July–November 1916) and Verdun (February–December 1916).
While such advances gained ground, they often incurred severe casualties. Nonetheless, these tactics shaped trench warfare’s deadly evolution. The figure encapsulates the grim reality of mass infantry assaults in static trench warfare, where discipline, firepower and morale determined outcomes amid horrendous attrition. The model thus symbolizes the courage and sacrifice of German infantrymen, whose actions influenced operational tactics across the Western Front.
Collector Notes
The FW215 figure, released by King & Country in July 2015, is now retired from production (barnebys.es). It stems from the First World War (FW) line, in 1:30–1:32 scale, cast in lead alloy and hand-painted (toysoldiers.com). Sold individually, the figure stands about 54–60 mm tall typical for the series. Identification involves checking the reference code—FW215—and ‘Advancing w/Rifle’ designation on the original box. Packaging includes a windowed box with the K&C logo and a descriptive label. Common paint variants include slight shifts in field-gray tone and insignia placement; condition should be assessed for paint chips on raised edges and delicate rifle/mask canister details. Many come mint-in-box, but beware of missing earthen bases or broken rifle bayonets.
In July 2025 auctions, estimates ranged around EUR 80 (approx US$90), confirming a stable mid‑secondary‑market value (barnebys.de). In addition, GBP 67 estimates appeared for UK listings (barnebys.co.uk). Collectors should compare currency and shipping costs when sourcing across markets.
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