Toy Soldier Identification (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

I received these figures as part of a figure I needed.

Does anyone have an idea as to what they are. There are no marks on the bases.



The second group comes with lances that I haven’t unpacked yet.

Thanks in advance.

 

[theBaron]

Are they hollowcast or solid, Brad?

I think the camel riders depict troopers of the Bikaner Camel Corps.

Prost!
Other Brad

 

[jazzeum]

Are they hollowcast or solid, Brad?

I think the camel riders depict troopers of the Bikaner Camel Corps.

Prost!
Other Brad

Brad,

Solid. Tom thinks the Indian figures might be made by Mike Ferguson.

 

[theBaron]

That could be. I can ask among my fellow MFCA members. I remember that there were some of Mike's toy soldiers up on eBay within the past year or so, and I didn't know he had made them. I asked Art Etchells, who confirmed it. I'll ask him.

If you have seen my collection of the Kaiser's Army, the figure of Viktoria Luise as the colonel-in-chief of the 2. Leib-Husaren is a figure Mike made. He got a couple prototypes made but never released it. He gave me that one.

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

Hi, Brad!

Art replied that the camels are definitely from Mike and depict the Bikaner Camel Corps. As for the cavalrymen and foot figures, he believes they are Mike's, too, but not completely certain. But along with Tom's ID, I think that's pretty good for an ID.

Hope that helps!
Prost!
Brad

 

[jazzeum]

Thanks Brad. Do you have an idea what or who the foot soldiers are supposed to represent?

 

[boerboy]

The soldiers on foot are Zouaves.

• French Zouaves, particularly in earlier periods (Crimean War or early Franco-Prussian War), did sometimes wear light tan or yellowish trousers, especially in warmer climates like Algeria or during colonial deployments. These were often linen or cotton for heat, not the usual red wool you'd see in cooler-weather campaigns.
• Their uniforms could vary a lot depending on the theater and time period, but the basic elements—short open jacket, sash, fez or turban, and baggy trousers—remained consistent.
• The original French Zouaves were Algerian troops in the French army, and many retained distinct North African features or accessories, like the sash and turbans.

If the figures you’re looking at don’t resemble typical American Civil War soldiers, and especially if they have a more Middle Eastern or Mediterranean flair, that strongly points toward French colonial troops, possibly Zouaves d'Afrique.

 

[boerboy]

The mounted figures are British Indian Army camel corps from a Rajput or Sikh regiment.

 

[jazzeum]

Thanks Al. I have a feeling the foot soldiers are Zouaves d’Afrique.