Can't say that I've seen the Hotspur figures since I bought mine, maybe 15 years ago. Thought they were the bees knees then and looking past my painting, they still look pretty good today. No doubt the moulds have seen some wear and tear.
Not arguing about their intended IS use. I undertsand that's exactly what the chap who commissioned them wanted. If those are meant to be rolled puttees, rather than web anklets then Mike Broadbent has made a piss poor job of them. These aren't a patch of the Vietnam Australians he did for Eureka. Horses for courses though. If you like 'em it's no skin off my nose, we all have our own tastes.