Del Prado King’s German Legion Sergeant 1815: Light Infantry at Waterloo

Del Prado · Waterloo campaign · King’s German Legion, 1815

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.

German troops in British service

The King’s German Legion served in the British army and included both infantry and cavalry. Its 2nd Light Battalion is closely associated with the defence of La Haye Sainte at Waterloo in 1815. The farm became a significant position in the fighting in front of Wellington’s centre.

The figure reference identifies a sharpshooter sergeant of the 2nd Light Battalion. Here “sharpshooter” belongs to the light infantry subject; it should not be understood as a modern sniper with a telescopic sight. Keeping the battalion title is more informative than describing the model simply as a German rifleman.

A compact dark figure

The photograph shows a shako, dark green clothing and a firearm held upright at the side. Small red accents break up the coat, while the equipment remains close to the body. It is a restrained pose that suggests a uniform study rather than a moment of firing from the farm walls.

Compare the headgear, stance and weapon position with any proposed match. Dark-coated British rifle subjects can look similar in small photographs. Their shared broad appearance is a reason to check the base inscription or original packaging whenever it is available.

A Waterloo display with context

Examine the weapon tip and the headgear’s narrow projections for damage. Check raised coat edges for paint loss and ask for enough light to distinguish green from black. A clear photograph of the underside can help settle the identification.

Use a small La Haye Sainte label if presenting the battalion’s Waterloo connection. The figure does not require a model farm to tell that story; an uncluttered position beside another coalition infantry subject keeps both the miniature and its identity readable.

The abbreviation KGL is convenient in an inventory, but spell out the name for visitors who may not know it. The full title communicates the central point of the subject: German soldiers serving within the British army. That small amount of context can be more informative than surrounding the figure with a large battle map.

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