AWI question - BR38 vs BR83/84 (1 Viewer)

[Cornwallis]

Hi, just wondered with the forthcoming new release of a seperate fifer and drummer is the figure BR38 correct, as he is more of a multi-tasker.

Would you have a drummer/fifer who carried both instruments or would they have been seperate i.e a fifer and a drummer?

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I've seen references in the Continental army (Pennsylvania) that each Company was to have at least one fifer and one drummer. Another reference indicated that musicians were hard to find and only a few played both the fif and the drum. Other references indicate that very young fifers sometimes graduated to the drum as they got older. And the fifes and drums often played together.

So it seems most likely that the norm was to have separate fifers and drummers. But I have never seen anything that forbade one man from carrying or playing both - especially after combat losses.

Terry

 

[BigDenny]

As Phantom Warrior stated, I believe the norm would be to have separate drummers/fifers, especially in well organized British regiments.

Best Regards,
Mike