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[Disclaimer - Please Read!]
The Fantassin line is, in general, outstanding. They have a broad range, their sculptor is very good, and their casting is first rate. They do have a grittier style than AB or Essex, and the strengths of their line are evident in this figure.
First of all, this is a correctly apportioned man. Legs are thicker and longer than arms, the head is the right size and the torso is in proportion. The pose is good as well - strong and martial, if not terribly inspiring. I find Fantassin are always well cast with minimal flash. Generally they need minimal clean up - most of the work being to file the bases flat.
The detail on the figure is very good. The face is easy to make out, and he sports the mustache almost all Spanish miniatures have. The musket is well detailed - bands, flint lock, and bayonet are all neatly and clearly made. The scabbard is a bit on the narrow side as well, but not terribly so. I also like Fantassin because the boots have nice detailing (especially important during this era - it is truly astonishing how many times you will read, in memoirs, of the delight of a good pair of boots).
There is one recurring item that puzzles me about the line however. Like this Spaniard, many of the figures sport very small backpacks. On the British counterpart the pack is tall enough but much too narrow. The same is true on the Frenchman I reviewed recently. Here it is not only too narrow, but too short. This man’s mess kit is nearly as big! This figure is not up to the standard of AB and Battle Honors, but it ties for second place with the Old Glory entry.
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