The Regal French Sailors are very nice and your background really enhances them. Like the German Marines, I have the Trophy of Wales and Bastion Models Boxer Rebellion versions, both of which have the sailors in their "pompon rouge" soft caps rather than straw hats. I agree that Regal figures are very similar to Trophy in that they are robust looking like the later Trophy figures. I have four sets from Regal's ACW line and have several sets from their Soldiers of the World line's French & Indian War.