36201 - French Imperial Guard in Campaign Trousers Kneeling Defending, No.2 First Legion-Normandy US 4th Infantry It was constructed of lightweight

It was constructed of lightweight wicker with wooden corners

even the Eastern Front and all-points-in-between

Infantry liked the weapon so much that during WWⅡ they introduced both a rifle-style butt in addition to the more familiar pistol grip

and lapels) of their coats

As the war continued the campaigning and reequipping took their toll on the distinctive uniform

36201 - French Imperial Guard in Campaign Trousers Kneeling Defending, No.2 First Legion-Normandy US 4th Infantry It was constructed of lightweightFrench Imperial Guard in Campaign Trousers Kneeling Defending, No. 2 Kneeling in defense during the age of musket was a daunting task. Soldiers formed up in ranks of two or three, and as part of the front rank, those soldiers would be kneeling. Organized thusly in long lines or perhaps squares, they would be typically defending against the cavalry charge. To be run at by a man on a horse is a scary thing. To be charged at by 100 thundering riders is