The British infantry's reputation rested on its fire discipline more than on its courage. The eighteenth-century drill divided the regiment's eight battalion companies into platoons of six to eight men each, organized so that as one platoon fired, the next was at the ready and the next was loading — a continuous overlapping volley across the front of the line that gave a well-trained battalion two or three rounds a minute from every man. General William Howe modified the standard practice for North American service from the three-rank European formation to the two-rank line, sacrificing depth for frontage and for the cleaner field of fire that two ranks gave the men in the rear. The drill was coordinated by drum tap and voice command, refined on the parade grounds at Boston and Halifax through the winter of 1775-76, and applied at Long Island in August 1776 with results that broke the Continental Army in front of the fence at the Old Stone House. A platoon volley from forty paces would put fifteen to twenty rounds into a five-yard frontage of the enemy line — and the British practice was then to fire one or two close-range volleys before the order to charge bayonets, getting in among the rebels before they could recover from the shock.

This Tradition of London set is an eight-figure firing line of the 10th Foot, hand-cast in white metal at 54mm and finished in the gloss enamel of the classic Tradition line. The figures show the platoon firing in action: an officer at the front center holds his drawn sword and turns to direct the fire while seven of his line — a corporal and six privates — work the firing drill in two staggered ranks, muskets leveled in coordinated volley fire. The dress is the 10th Foot's battalion-company regulation: red coats with the bright yellow collar, lapels, and cuffs of the regiment's facing color, white waistcoats and breeches, black tall gaiters above the knee, white cross-belts supporting cartridge box and bayonet scabbard, black tricornes edged white. The set is the firing-line action figure that completes the regiment opened by the 10th Foot infantry set and the color party with flags — three sets together giving the collector the regiment's command center, ceremonial center, and combat line. Pair across manufacturers with the W. Britain matte 43rd Foot standing firing for two regiments in action.

Set Number: 0203 / Tradition of London — Soldiers for Collectors / 54mm scale / white metal / gloss enamel / 8 figures (officer + corporal + 6 privates firing)