Syrian Archer

This is the Syrian Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 24s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 24.

Both PB ranges are based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 24 in AMPW.

The 's' designation distinguished the new style 25mm range from the older and smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon completed and the 's' was dropped from all codes throughout the Minifigs range.

The base is stamped PB 24 on the upper surface in the usual Minifigs fashion.

The figure exhibits some interesting - and typical - traits of Minifigs archers and this range in general. 

The first thing to note is that the models were sculpted from the pre-publication drawings, and perhaps this is why they rarely take account of the accompanying text. In this case the archer is described as having a dagger by way of side-arm, but as this was on the other side of the figure to the drawing it didn't make it onto the figure. 

Another feature that is typical of Minifigs archers is that the arrow is placed on the wrong side of the bow stave - i.e. to the right as opposed to the left. Quite why I have no idea.