IF038 SCOUTING FOR THE ENEMY BY KING AND COUNTRY
Overview
-
Introduction to the miniature set
-
History of Eritrean Askari scouting and colonial operations
-
Collector notes on identification, variants, and market
“Scouting For the Enemy” (IF038) by King & Country presents a striking World War II Italian colonial vignette featuring an Eritrean Askari NCO hoisting a fellow soldier onto his shoulders. Released under the Italian Forces range, this retired piece captures colonial scouting tactics with dynamic pose and detail. Particularly, the model highlights the practical yet dramatic technique of using human vantage to survey terrain—a tactic occasionally used by Askari units operating in challenging East African landscapes. The miniature blends historical nuance and sculpted energy for discerning collectors.
Historical Background
The Eritrean Askari served as the backbone of Italian colonial forces in East Africa from the late 19th century through World War II. Formed officially circa 1889, these indigenous troops operated under Italian command, recruited from local ethnic groups—particularly Tigrinya speakers and Afars—and often distinguished themselves in endurance, mobility, and loyalty. Units included infantry, cavalry, mountain artillery, camel-mounted meharistes, and irregular bande roughly company-sized and grouped into battalion equivalents (military-review.com). Scouts among them relied on local knowledge, moving swiftly across rugged terrain and often deploying creative methods such as climbing onto terrain or even upon each other to obtain better sightlines—especially useful in Eritrea’s highland passes and dry valleys (stefanov.no-ip.org).
These scouts would relay intelligence on enemy positions—often Ethiopian forces—in campaigns such as the First Italo–Ethiopian War and the 1935–36 invasion of Ethiopia. Their work was essential in battles like Coatit (13 January 1895), where Italian forces with over 3,700 Askaris repelled a much larger Tigrayan army, and at Debra Ailà (9 October 1895), where Askari scouts aided Italian advance and exploitation of enemy movements (en.wikipedia.org). Moreover, during the Italian conquest of East Africa and subsequent resistance after 1941, Askari units—some under Italian officers—continued guerrilla reconnaissance and operations, using intimate familiarity with landscape and local networks to disrupt Allied movements (military-review.com).
Consequently, the pose depicted in IF038 resonates with historical scouting improvisation rather than staged dramatic flair, underlining the improvisational spirit of Askari scouting in colonial campaigns.
Collector Notes
King & Country IF038 “Scouting For the Enemy” is catalogued under the Italian Forces line, Italian Forces model IF038—currently retired and previously priced between USD 59.00 (official) and USD 89.00 at Treefrog Treasures on sale before retirement (kingandcountry.com). The set features two Eritrean Askari figures in dynamic interaction: an NCO or senior scout bearing another’s legs, lifting him to peer ahead. Metal casting captures fine uniform detail: khaki dress, red tarbush (fez), colored sash, typical of Askari colonial attire (avalanchepress.com). It is single-piece figures, 1:30 scale typical of King & Country, without additional equipment—no weapons included in the specific pose. Packaging originally came in the standard King & Country box with product code IF038 on front (kingandcountry.com).
On the secondary market, boxed mint examples reach USD 70–90, with loose or damaged versions falling to USD 50–60. Common defects include bent limbs, loose shoulder joints, and paint flaking on the tarbush; repaints sometimes feature exaggerated shading on sashes to compensate. Variant sightings are rare—no factory variants recorded, though some custom-painted versions appear in forums. Collectors should verify SKU and mark of Italian Forces on flaps, inspect for original black foam insert, and check for uniformity in finish particularly on the red headgear.
Related
As an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
