In a British regiment of the 1750s the drummers dressed unlike anyone else. Their coats were made in the regiment's facing colour and faced with red, the reverse of the rank and file, so that an officer could find his drummers at a glance. A regiment with yellow facings put its drummers in yellow coats with red cuffs and lapels, heavily trimmed with lace. Royal regiments were the exception: their drummers wore the royal livery of red faced with blue. The drummers earned their distinction in the field. Through the noise and smoke of battle, drum beats carried an officer's orders to advance, halt, fire or retire to men who could not hear his voice.

This is a battalion's command group in North American campaign dress. The officer advances with his sword drawn, in a crimson sash and black boots. One ensign holds the King's Colour with his hat in his hand. The other points the way beside the yellow Regimental Colour, its centre wreathed in roses and thistles. The drummer wears a yellow coat faced and laced in red, and a yellow mitre cap, and beats a yellow drum with red hoops. The sergeant carries his halberd, and two corporals advance with muskets. All wear red coats with yellow facings and brown gaiters. Put them at the centre of British Infantry, with British Grenadiers on the right. Compare British Infantry (Seven Years War), the blue-faced royal regiment version of this command group.

Tradition of London set 601. Officer, two ensigns with colours, sergeant, drummer and two corporals, seven 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.