First Impressions: Certainly the first things I noticed were the missing front legs of the horse. AB horses have always had thin legs, but a poor casting here results in a wasted figure. I am sure had I raised the issue a new horse would have been  promptly sent, but as I have no intention of remounting the figure I let it pass. Even with that flaw, the horse is quite good. The rump is large enough and the head and neck the right size. The rider has great detail on the face, the musket, and other equipment.
Dem Bones - The Anatomy: If you are not familiar with the AB line, you may be surprised at the level of anatomical accuracy in these figures. If you are, this is another example of Tony Barton’s deft eye. The horse has a natural pose, and has outstanding lines. The legs are thin (as they ought to be) and the body well proportioned. The trooper is likewise well done. His head, hands and feet are all in scale with each other. His legs look the right length for his torso. Horse and rider also look the same scale.
Everybody Vogue: This is a nice relaxed pose. Whether marching behind the lines, or reflecting a veteran’s calm, this is a quiet, confident pose. Doubtless to some it will look stiff, or lacking in energy. Certainly from a gaming table distance this pose may not inspire. But the mount’s gait and the rider’s seat look real - balanced and in control.
Do Those Buttons Read USA or USB? One of the real pleasures of most AB figures is  the high level of detail. Moreover, the details are called out in a relatively subtle way. That is, they tend to be understated. For example, the musket bands are not conspicuously raised features. The same applies to the saddle bag straps. They look the size they should be, rather than being half a millimeter thick and looking grossly oversized. (I realize this is done to make the detail easier to see on the table, and faster to paint. I just prefer the low key style.) The musket and face are well detailed as are all the other bits of equipment. There are absolutely no scrambled eggs here!
The Reserves: Other Figures
Other than noting that the horse here is well cast, this is just another outstanding figure from AB.
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