This dark-uniformed sergeant belongs to the King’s German Legion’s 2nd Light Battalion. The quiet standing pose introduces one of the German formations in British service whose contribution is easily missed in a Waterloo display.
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 brown uniform gives this Portuguese light infantry figure a distinct place among British green and French blue. Del Prado’s standing caçador is a compact way to bring Portugal into a Peninsular War collection.
The tall pale plume and white cross-belts make this Prussian Guard grenadier a striking upright figure. His 1813 date places the subject in the renewed war against Napoleon, well beyond Prussia’s earlier defeat in 1806.
A tall civilian-looking hat and a small pale object in the hand make this officer stand apart from the shako-wearing regulars. The Carinthian Landwehr subject adds a provincial Austrian presence to the Del Prado Napoleonic range.
An apron and axe give this Young Guard sapper a working identity beneath an ornate military appearance. Del Prado combines practical equipment with tall headgear, making the figure an easy focal point in an infantry group.
The curved instrument at this infantryman’s front is the detail that changes the story. Del Prado’s 1809 bugler represents communication within a unit, while retaining much of the equipment and appearance of the soldiers around him.
“Marie-Louise” on this figure’s label refers to a conscript, not the empress herself. The plain coat and modest equipment give Del Prado’s 1814 recruit a very different character from the decorated veterans of the Guard.
This Del Prado standard bearer combines a narrow standing soldier with a flag held close along the staff. It is a quieter composition than the broad Guard eagle bearer, but an equally useful regimental centrepiece.
Dark clothing, white trousers and a straightforward standing pose make this flanker easy to overlook beside an eagle bearer. His subject is valuable precisely because the Imperial Guard contained much more than its famous veteran grenadiers.
