1:72 Description:Swedish Infantry early 17th century

Swedish infantry of the early 17th century

A set of figures from the brand Mars in 1:72 scale capturing Swedish infantry of the early 17th century. A foot regiment of that time rested on two weapons that covered each other: the musket carried the fire, while the long pike protected the shooters from the cavalry, which would otherwise have scattered them at the moment their weapons were empty. The share of pikes in the Swedish army gradually fell and the ranks thinned, so that more men could carry the fire at once. In the first decades of the century this infantry fought east of the Baltic against the Polish-Lithuanian state, and only afterwards, in 1630, did Sweden enter the war in Germany.

Size and building a scene

In 1:72 scale an adult figure corresponds to roughly 24 mm. The set works well in an arrangement in which the difference between a rank of pikemen and a group of musketeers at its sides is visible. It helps the legibility of a scene if the pikemen hold their pikes at the same angle.

Painting tips

• Wash the figures in lukewarm water with detergent and let them dry properly.
• Apply the base coat thinly, so that it does not fill the shallow modeling of the small details.
• Set the metal of the helmet and the breastplate apart from the cloth, otherwise the figure runs together into one surface.
• A dark glaze at the end will unify the whole unit and bring out the folds.
• Cut the remains of material at the feet and the base off with a sharp blade and sand the surface down.

Who the set is for

For collectors of historical figures and builders of dioramas of the first half of the 17th century. The infantry will complete cavalry and artillery of the same scale and serve as the basis of a battle scene or a camp scene.

Paints, glue and a base are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.