#8181 British 17th Lancers

Dated: June 3, 2007, updated January 31, 2011

British lancer regiments combined one of cavalry's oldest weapons with the rapidly changing warfare of the Victorian age. Armed with the lance, sword and carbine, they performed reconnaissance, patrol, screening and pursuit duties, but could still be called upon to deliver a traditional mounted charge when circumstances allowed. This set represents the 17th Lancers, the famous "Death or Glory Boys," whose skull-and-crossbones badge became one of the most recognizable insignia in the British cavalry.

Box front.

The regiment saw service across the British Empire. During the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, the 17th Lancers took part in the final advance into Zululand and fought at Ulundi, where they charged the retreating Zulu army after its assault on the British square had been repulsed. Earlier in the Victorian period the regiment had also served in India, while British lancer regiments more generally remained an important part of the cavalry arm into the later colonial campaigns.

Line drawing

These figures show mounted lancers in a variety of useful poses, with enough optional bodies, arms and weapons to create considerable variation within a unit. They can be used for the 17th Lancers in the Zulu War and, with suitable painting or conversion, for other British lancer formations of the late 19th century.

Test shot.