I statrted getting into drilling out everything way back in the 70's when Airfix was making their 54mm Napoleonic soldiers.
At the time, I had a book with all the uniforms of the units that were at the Battle of Waterloo, 1815. Enlisted ranks up to field marshalls.
I was planning on making a chess set and wanted as much detail as possible. That's why I got the hot knife that I've mentioned in other threads, so that I could undercut lapels, coat edges and sleeve cuffs.
I also saved all the extra parts and had enough to mix and match to make every uniform that was there by swapping necessary pieces from one kit to another.
Also scratchbuilt some parts to make bagpipers and drummers, cooks and artillerymen.
Anyway, as part of the detail, I also got the drill sets so that I drilled ear holes and nostril into the figues, as well as the holes in the ends of the muskets. I figured if I was going to do the detail, it was going to be all the way.
I was really upset when Airfix stopped making the kits before I could finsih. I ended up selling off all the finished figures for about $30 apiece, which was pretty good money back in the late 70's.