I picked up this La Fortezza Continental sailor at MFCA. It looks to be a nice kit. There's a elongated egg shaped thing behind him in a net. I asked at the club meeitng last night and no one was sure.
Does anyone here know what it is?

It could be a type of Lobster Pot........

Dave

Float?

Einion

It looks like a buoy but I may be wrong. Back in those days, I imagine they were made from animal skins that were waterproofed in some way.

Gary

I'm going to say a buoy also. Without a title I never would have guessed it was suppose to be a Continental sailor or privateer. It might just be the photo but the figure's anatomy does not look quite right to me. ~Gary

It's a buoy. During this period, they were made of blown glass, covered with a wicker frame/basket.

I'm going to go with a leather and rope fender.
Slung over the side of a boat to cushion it against the dock.
Or used dock side as well.~??

It's an anchor bouy. Here are some pics of them on model ships:

http://www.modelshipworld.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4673&highlight=

Thanks for all the input, guys, especially MSzwarc for the image.

I've seen them in lots of colors Al, blown glass.