Minifigure – British Rifleman 95th Regiment of Foot (The 95th Rifles) during the Napoleonic Wars – LEGO Compatible

This image displays a toy minifigure representing a British Rifleman, specifically a soldier of the famous 95th Regiment of Foot (The 95th Rifles) during the Napoleonic Wars era.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the figure and its historical significance:

The Figure: 95th Rifles Soldier This figure represents an elite light infantryman, distinct from the regular “Redcoats.”

• Uniform: The most obvious feature is the dark green uniform (historically known as “Rifle Green”). Unlike the bright red coats of the line infantry, the Rifles were the first British units to use camouflage. He wears black leather cross-belts instead of white, further helping him blend into the foliage and shadows while skirmishing.

• Headgear: He is wearing a Stovepipe Shako with a green plume. The gold badge on the front is a “stringed bugle” (hunting horn). This insignia is historically significant because Rifle regiments used bugle calls to relay orders on the battlefield instead of the drums used by the line infantry.

• Weapons: The figure comes with two specific weapons that define his role.

  1. The Baker Rifle: The brown gun represents the Baker Rifle. Unlike the smoothbore muskets used by most troops, this barrel had “rifling” (grooves), making it incredibly accurate over long distances.

  2. Sword Bayonet: The silver accessory is a Sword Bayonet. Because the Baker Rifle was shorter than a standard musket, Riflemen were issued these extra-long, sword-like bayonets (approx. 23 inches long) to give them enough reach to defend themselves against cavalry charges.

• Accessories: He includes a standard black knapsack for carrying supplies.

Historical Background: The 95th Rifles are legendary in military history (and popularized by the Sharpe TV series and books). Unlike regular infantry who stood in lines and fired volleys without aiming, Riflemen were skirmishers. They operated in loose pairs, used cover (trees, rocks), and were trained to aim specifically at officers and sergeants. Their ability to hit targets from 200-300 yards away made them feared by the French Army during the Peninsular War and the Battle of Waterloo.