The Toymaker of Williamsburg just sold our last exclusive Virginia State Garrison Fifer! Don’t worry, The Fifer is one of our favorite toy soldiers too and will be available again at a later date.

Virginia State Garrison Fifer 1770s is a Toymaker of Williamsburg Exclusive created by W Britain. There is no better introduction to the era of the American Revolution than the sound of fifes and drums. The fife and drum were the essential musical instruments of the 18th Century military and were used by American, British, French and Hessian troops during the Revolutionary War.

Among the American military units that had a fife and drum corps during the Revolution was The Virginia State Garrison Regiment. The Virginia State Garrison Regiment was established in 1778 for the purpose of defending the capital of the colony from British attack. The State Garrison regiment was an infantry unit that wore blue uniforms with red facings (collars and cuffs), typical of other military formations in Virginia. The fifers and drummers, however, wore the characteristic musicians’ reverse colors. Therefore, the musicians’ coats were red with blue facings. This was done so that the musicians would stand out during battle and be easily spotted by commanders for signaling or as rallying points for the troops. The uniform was completed by a buff-colored waistcoat and breeches, white stockings, black leather shoes and a cocked hat. Fifers carried a tubular black leather instrument case hung over the hip by a shoulder strap.

The Virginia State Garrison Fifer 1770s will be re-run at a date to be determined. Watch our blog for updates about our exclusive W. Britain toy soldiers or sign up for our periodic newsletter to get updates about Toymaker of Williamsburg Exclusives emailed directly to you.

Make sure to pick up our other Toymaker of Williamsburg Exclusive toy soldiers: The Virginia State Garrison Ensign and Drummer before they sell out too!