"Length of flag staffs for infantry regiments?" Topic

So I'm finishing up my first units of AWI in 28mm. I've got some of the Perry plastics command figures as well as various metal command figures from Foundry, Perry, etc..

On the Perry plastics British, the flag staffs seem too short for the flags themselves. I'm using GMB Designs 28mm. The Perry models are holding the flags up in the air off the ground.

For the metal command figures, I've got models standing at rest and are still for the most part so they've got the flags touching the ground. It would seem that in order to have enough length to accommodate the flag, the staff would have to be about a good 1/2" longer than what Perry provides with the plastics. Doesn't add up.

Is this because Perry's are meant to be used with a smaller brand of flag?

I'm using brass rod cut to length for the staffs so I just need to know in the end what the correct length would be for models in 28mm scale. Thanks…!

Thank you Bean, you're detailed response is VERY helpful!!

I always do resting on the ground for durability even when historically they didn't. But I always start with 100mm pikes and then cut to fit when the flag is finished.

Thanks Titchmonster, great info!

Historical flagstaves were often quite short in the 18th Century. I never let that influence me. My technique is similar to Titchmonster's--attach the flag to a 100mm pikestaff, then cut to fit. If you are at all uncertain, cut a little long. cutting twice is much neater and less time-consuming than attaching the flag to a new staff.

+1 Titchmonster

I like mine long enough to wave gloriously over the troops.

Thanks for all the great perspectives!

I'm relieved to hear that others do certain aspects of historicals with practicality in mind over an attempt to be 100% accurate in all details all the time.

I also have to remind myself that aesthetically you're going to have for infantry 16-24 models representing entire battalions that had hundreds of actual men, so visually you accept that anachronism.

Plus it's good news to me that that military flag staffs varied in length during that period. That gives the modeler some leeway in needing shorter or longer staffs depending on the given situation.

Good stuff!

Another good point is to share what material we use for the staffs themselves. Piano where can be purchased cheaply at hardware stores. Cut to fit. Also, similar metal can be purchased from shops that cater to the model train world. They will have those materials. Such staffs are very strong.

As for length, I want the flag to be pleasing to my eye. I pretty much know what I like, and I stick with that.