Minifigure – Swiss Grenadier serving in the French Army (La Grande Armée) during the Napoleonic Wars (LEGO Compatible)

This image displays a toy minifigure representing a Swiss Grenadier serving in the French Army (La Grande Armée) during the Napoleonic Wars.

The figure is dressed in a distinct scarlet red tunic. Historically, while standard French troops wore blue, Swiss regiments in the French service retained their traditional red uniforms to distinguish themselves. The figure features black lapels and cuffs, which historically identifies this specific soldier as a member of the 2nd Swiss Regiment. He wears white trousers and black boots.

His status as an elite Grenadier is marked by his tall, black Bearskin Cap (bonnet à poil). Crucially, the gold plate on the front of the cap displays the French Imperial Eagle, and he sports a red and white plume on the side. He features a handlebar mustache, a mandatory facial hair style for Grenadiers of that era.

The figure comes with several accessories: a pair of white epaulettes (worn on the shoulders), a brown knapsack (backpack), and a standard Charleville Musket with a Bayonet.

Historical Background: Although Switzerland is famous for neutrality today, during the Napoleonic era, Swiss mercenaries were considered some of the finest soldiers in Europe. Napoleon Bonaparte incorporated four Swiss regiments into his army. These men were renowned for their discipline and sharpshooting skills. They are most famous for their heroic sacrifice at the Battle of Berezina in 1812 during the retreat from Russia. The Swiss regiments held off overwhelming Russian forces to allow Napoleon’s army to cross the river and escape; they fought so fiercely in their red coats that they were almost completely wiped out.