Quick answer
Buy a 28mm British foot artillery set that includes multiple barrel options and both Stovepipe and Belgic shako heads if you want one purchase to cover Peninsular and Waterloo games. If you only need a single gun and crew, a smaller set is the better value.
Why barrel and head options matter more than the gun count
British foot artillery in 28mm is rarely a one-gun purchase. Most players want a section or battery that looks consistent on the table, so the number of guns, limbers, and crew figures in a set drives the real cost per gun. A set with three guns and fifteen crew gives you a full battery for large games and enough spare crew to vary poses between guns.
The bigger decision is whether the set covers both the Peninsular War and Waterloo. Head variants and coat-tail options let you build crews for either campaign, but only if you plan the build before you glue. A set with only one head style locks you into a single theatre or forces conversions later.
The trade-off: flexibility versus assembly time
Multi-option sets save money per gun but cost time. Choosing between short 6-pdr, long 6-pdr, 9-pdr, and 5.5-inch howitzer barrels means reading the instructions carefully and deciding what your army list actually needs. If you are building a historical scenario, match the barrel to the role: 6-pdrs for standard foot batteries, 9-pdrs for heavier positional guns, and howitzers for indirect-fire scenarios.
Head variants add a second layer of choice. Stovepipe shakos suit Peninsular War crews, while Belgic shakos fit Waterloo. If you game both periods, build some crews for each rather than mixing heads within one gun crew, which looks inconsistent at close range.
When a smaller or simpler set is the better buy
If you are new to Napoleonics or only need artillery support for a skirmish-sized force, a full three-gun battery may be more than you will paint or field. In that case, buy a single gun and crew, or split a larger set with a gaming friend. The same logic applies if you already own British guns and only need additional crew figures.
Decision rules for buying British foot artillery
- You play both Peninsular and Waterloo: Choose a set with both Stovepipe and Belgic shako heads and plan to build at least one crew for each period. Do not mix head styles within a single gun crew. Check the head options before price.
- You need a full battery for large games: A three-gun set with limbers and fifteen crew gives you a complete battery without buying multiple boxes. Confirm the barrel options match the gun types in your ruleset. Count guns and crew per gun, not just total figures.
- You are new to Napoleonics or building a small force: Start with a single gun and crew, or split a larger set. A three-gun battery is a lot of painting if you only field one gun per game. Match the set size to your typical game size.
- You already own British guns: Buy only crew figures or a set you can split for spares. Extra head and arm options are useful for varying poses across existing guns. Avoid duplicating guns you will not field.
Product facts
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British Napleonic Foot Artillery: The set includes 3 guns with barrel options for short 6-pdr, long 6-pdr, 9-pdr, and 5.5-inch howitzer, plus 3 limbers and 15 crew. One purchase can build a full battery with mixed gun types, which is useful if your scenarios call for both guns and howitzers.
British Napleonic Foot Artillery
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British Napleonic Foot Artillery: Crew figures include multiple arm options and head variants for Stovepipe shako (Peninsular) or Belgic shako (Waterloo), with officer head and coat-tail variants. You can build period-specific crews from the same box, but you must decide the campaign before assembly.
Is this set right for you?
Best for
- Players building a British Peninsular or Waterloo army who want one box to cover both periods
- Gamers who need a full three-gun battery with limbers for large battles
- Painters who enjoy customizing crew poses with arm and head variants
Not for
- Beginners who only need a single gun for small skirmish games
- Players who already own enough British guns and only need a few crew figures
- Anyone who prefers a fixed, single-period crew without assembly choices