The 95th Rifles were an elite unit of hard marching; sharp shooting light infantry that served in many bloody battles of the Napoleonic Wars. Unusually they did not wear the classic red coat of the British army; but instead a dark bottle green uniform which gave them their nickname of the ‘Sweeps’ or the ‘Grasshoppers’ by their French foes.
They were equipped with the Baker rifle – a supremely accurate weapon for the period – which would hit single targets at ranges unheard of for the smoothbore muskets which most other troops carried.
They earned a superb reputation in the Peninsular campaign and later at Waterloo; being battalions that Wellington could rely upon. To help maintain the effectiveness of the companies; reliable and trusted men would be issued with a white tape around the arm distinguishing them as ‘chosen men’ and expected to inspire the rank and file.
To make up for the short length of their rifles; they were issued with wicked looking sword bayonets; long enough to give a parity against an enemy bayonet.
Note: Models supplied unassembled and unpainted
