A British sergeant of the 1750s carried a halberd, a long pole topped with an axe blade and spike, and the army kept it as his badge of rank until 1793. By then it was no real weapon: the edge was left dull, and the shaft was too light for hard use. In the line, a sergeant used it to dress the ranks and push his men's muskets level when they presented to fire. It had a grimmer use too. For a flogging, three halberds were tied together upright in a triangle with a fourth lashed across them, and the soldier's wrists were bound to it. Being sent "to the halberds" meant only one thing.

The sergeant stands at the centre, his halberd upright in one hand and his other arm pointing out the line of fire. Around him seven privates fire, prime and load with bayonets fixed. They wear black tricornes edged in white, and red coats with yellow lapels, cuffs and turnbacks laced in white. Buff belts carry haversacks, canteens and brass-hilted swords, and brown gaiters replace the white of the parade ground. For a North American firing line, set them beside British Infantry North America 1750 and British Light Infantry. Hang Don Troiani's 40th Regiment of Foot British Grenadier print behind them.

Tradition of London set 602. Sergeant and seven privates, eight foot figures on square gloss bases. 54mm scale (approximately 1/30). All toy soldiers cast in quality white metal and individually hand-painted in gloss enamels. Packed in the Classic Tradition Red Box. Please allow 2–3 weeks for shipping.