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Sergeant, drummer and soldier of the Compagnies franches de la Marine in New France, 1685-1700

Caption: Sergeant, drummer and soldier of the Compagnies franches de la Marine in New France, 1685-1700

On the left, a sergeant wears a grey-white uniform with a red lining and red stockings (particular to sergeants of the Compagnies franches de la Marine at this time). He carries a halbard, the distinctive weapon of sergeants in European armies. The drummer in the centre wears a uniform in the colours of the royal livery. At right, a common solder wears a grey-white uniform lined and faced with blue, the distinctive colour of the Troupes de la Marine. His hat is trimmed with imitation gold braid: a blend of brass wire and yellow cord. He is armed with a musket, bayonet and sword. Reconstructions by Michel Pétard.