King & Country · First World War · FW035
The horse stretches forward and the officer extends his sword almost horizontally. FW035 is a cavalry action piece, but it also offers a chance to move beyond the familiar claim that horse soldiers simply disappeared in 1914.
A lancer officer without a lance
Uhlan identifies the cavalry tradition; it does not require every individual figure to carry a lance. Here the officer’s sword supplies direction, with his upper body pitched forward over the horse. The covered headgear, dark mount and pale uniform keep the composition relatively restrained despite the action. The long blade should have open space ahead of it so its line remains visible.
Choosing the right surroundings
This figure is most convincing where a horse could move: an open field, a road edge or a gap in a line. Dense wire and a deep trench immediately under the hooves would contradict the movement unless the scene deliberately depicts a failed attack. Pair it with compatible mounted troops, keeping their direction consistent. FW005’s saluting infantry major offers a useful separate comparison of two very different reasons for an officer to be on horseback.
The points to check before buying
Look closely at the sword, reins, horse’s legs and tail. The weapon is the visual centre of the set and a bent or shortened replacement changes the effect. Ask for a view of the base attachment and the horse from behind. If the seller has added groundwork, confirm that it is not concealing a repaired leg. The FW035 product record should be compared with the pictured sculpt, since shortened titles vary between dealers.
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