Opinion, you describe yourself so well. Such self-flattery cannot be good for one.

The Friday teaser was begun by Strelets about a year ago, from memory (I did not go back through the posts to find the first).

These previews from Strelets' workbench were received with interest and joy by visitors to this forum who then 'demanded' that they occur again and again. An 'institution' was born.

Over the many weeks that we have been enjoying this we have seen entire figures and parts of figures, often shown from only a single view so that the subject is not entirely clear. The subject of the preview has been revealed later when further images of the masters or even of the figures have been posted.

May the Friday teaser continue. No other manufacturer does this. Occasional 'preview' photos of entire sets or groups of masters is the closest thing.

I look forward to you starting another in two days Messrs Strelets. A figure from yet another, different period, perhaps?!

Hey guys, I know I don't comment much on here but lets leave the drama off. I listen to a good amount of it on daily basis at work. We all love collecting, gaming, so forth. So lets enjoy the hobby and not let it lead to anger or hurt feelings. Wishing you all the best from the Old North State.
Ole Ben

Going back to the original question - I have had a bit of a dig and found this on TMP:
"According to Nosworthy, "The Anatomy of Victory", p.42, Louis XIV introduced the use of socket bayonet in all regiments with a circular of November 11, 1692. Moreover he records at p.43 that Villars was allowed to remove pikes from the Army of Italy from January 16, 1702. However shortage of flintlocks prevented the full elimination of pikes until 1708."

Well done Phil, that should help calm down some of the opinionated view points:-).

Well, it has a Louis XIV look about it, though pre Malburian and I can find no very close match.

I'd prefer to wait to learn what it is, rather than condemn it out of hand.