Cast iron soldier figure

This cast iron figure of a Revolutionary War-era British soldier was found in the basement of a very old house. With the flat spots and holes on the top of his head and bottom of his feet, he seems to have been meant for a purpose beyond simply being decorative, or a toy, but I’m stumped as to what that might have been. Any ideas?

 

Looks like you've stumped everybody, at least temporarily!

I have no really good guesses, but am going to say that it attached to some sort of tool or implement? Maybe a fireplace tool? On the other hand, maybe it wouldn't have been colored if it was supposed to be very close to heat. I also thought maybe it was part of a fence, but then wondered again about the coloring. So, don't really know.

 

Would the hole on the top fit a small candle?

 

Thanks for your thoughts, @Figtree3 and @916Bulldogs123 . Interesting idea about having something to do with a fireplace tool. I believe I have seen painted andirons, so the paint may not rule out this theory. As for it being a candlestick, the candle would have to be very slim - a taper, really - but I suppose this is also a possibility.

Maybe we’ll just never know for sure...

 

Part of a finial for something? Is his right hand missing? I wonder if it held something.

 

Not sure what it is but they did use soldiers as fire tool handles apparently. (Wrong soldiers)
https://www.newel.com/product/english-georgian-iron-fire-tools

 

It's not easy to see in the photos, but his right hand is there, holding the stock of his musket close to his body.