These Slender Nutcrackers are 15 inches tall. They are wearing a mitre style hat with a red crown, black and gold circlet with red plastic jewels and a green band below the circlet. The Jacket is red and green with gold epaulettes, black belt and black cuffs. His trousers are dark blue with gold cuffs above his black boots. He is holding a smaller nutcracker in his right hand and has a black and gold sword at his left side. Select this link to view our Wooden Nutcracker Soldiers.
Grenadier Soldiers.
The wide hats with broad brims characteristic of infantry during the late 17th century were discarded and replaced with caps. This was originally to allow the grenadier to sling his musket over his back with greater ease while throwing grenades (initially, only these troops were provided with slings). Additionally, a brimless hat permitted the grenadier greater ease in throwing the grenade overhand. By 1700, grenadiers in the English and other armies had adopted a cap in the shape of a bishop's mitre, usually decorated with the regimental insignia in embroidered cloth. In addition to grenades, they were equipped with contemporary longarms. The uniform included a belt tube that held the match for lighting the fuse; this feature was retained in later grenadier uniforms. Select this link to view our U.S. Marine Corps Soldier Nutcracker.
The Kurt Adler Nutcracker Fable.
Once upon a time, in the mountains of Germany, there lived a young boy with his mother and father. The boy’s father woke up very early every day and went to work in the mines. The little boy was scared to stay at home without his father, whom he loved very much. Select this link to view our Life Size Toy Soldier.
So that his son would not be frightened, the father carved him a wooden nutcracker which had fierce eyes and teeth. He told the boy that he should not be afraid because he was safe from harm with the nutcracker there to protect him. The boy was still afraid, so every night, when the father came home from the mines, he worked on carving a new nutcracker for his son. He gave his son a different nutcracker….a guard, a painter, a clock maker, etc. These nutcrackers protected the boy and kept him company while his father was away. The boy always felt safe and when he was older and had a son of his own, he passed on the nutcrackers to him, so that he would always be protected from harm. And as the nutcrackers were passed on, the collection grew bigger and bigger as each generation added its own special touch. Select this link to view our Life Size Large Toy Soldier.
The End.
Christmas Spider Story.
Proud of her Christmas tree, an elderly woman left to attend Christmas Eve Services. While away, a white spider spiraled the tree marveling at the decorations. Realizing he left his webbing all around the tree, he scurried away. Shortly afterwards, Santa arrived. Knowing the lady would be devastated by the spider’s unwelcome contribution, he added glitter to all the webbing on the tree and created a shimmering sight to behold. The woman returned to delight in the sparkling addition made to her tree. And thus “tinsel” was created. Select this link to view our Soldier Bear Nutcrackers.