Figure Reviews (15mm)
The following reviews are given in one of the GOL appendices. I've included URLs where possible. I have include five or six JPGs at the bottom for comparison purposes.
Below are my mini-reviews of each figure line. They are just my opinions. You should look at the figures at a convention or in a picture catalog to make your own judgments on the quality and compatibility of these figures.
Jeff Valent Studios, AWI Miniatures – Phone: 607-785-5486
Web Site: http://www.jeffvalentstudios.com/awi.htm
Well cast figures. Equipment is very detailed. There is some variety in poses. Two poses per pack. I would recommend the Continental Line and British Line. Command packs are nice, but the flags are molded to the figure, which can be a challenge to paint. Continental Command pack comes with a fifer! I do not care for their Hessien Musketeers. The Highlanders are in kilts and are wearing the Grenadier’s bearskin hat. All these figures paint up very nicely.
Essex Miniatures – In the U.S.A., Wargames Inc. Phone: 304-547-0000
Fax: 304-845-7215
Website - http://www1c.btwebworld.com/essexminiatures/index.html
I have two packs of this new Essex line of figures. The Militia and Riflemen. Both packs have a variety of figures. Very good sculpting for both packs. I'd be interested to see some of their other packages.
FreiKorp15 -
Website - http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~freikorp/
They have a huge selection of AWI figures. Their dismounted dragoons, both Continental
and British, are an excellent addition to any AWI collection. I have found it
difficult to find or order these figures in the US. You may need to call them
directly.
Frontier - No longer in production.
As with most Frontier miniatures, their AWI figures are heavy set. Their cavalry figures are nice, but the horses look like ponies. Look to Polly Oliver for cavalry. They do have some nice militia figures though. They carry a complete range of figures and they are the only ones that I know of with Continentals in rags.
Irregular Miniatures - (Distributed USA by Silver Eagle
Wargame Supplies) Phone/Fax(785) 838-4480
Email: eaglewars@aol.com Website: http://members.aol.com/eaglewars/private/sews.html
They are rather small, even compared to Minifig. Their militia figures would mix in with other figure lines. Their other figures could also be mixed in with little trouble. This would give you the variation of height historical figures should have.
MiniFigs USA- Contact: Tom Dye Email: tom@attactix.com
website: http://www.minifigs.com
Large selection of both American, British, German, and French units. Well cast figures. No variation in poses is a drawback to their figure line. One nice feature of the Minifig packs is that you can get the packs with or without command figures.
Old Glory – Phone:
Line only includes British Regulars (Grenadiers and Highlanders) and American Continental units. I have not had the chance to see these figures, but if they do put out a militia pack I will definitely pick one up.
Musket Miniatures -
Website: http://www.musketminiatures.com
This is an exciting line of figures. There are over 60 different packs of figures and the metal is a very good quality. The figures come in a variety of poses and the militia has 12 different figures in each pack! A must for any AWI gamer.
Polly Oliver – No longer being cast.
Very nice figures, but very expensive in comparison to the other manufacturers. Horses are well done, and the cavalry figures are great. Nice cavalry command packs! They also carry the Welsh Fusiliers in the Fusilier hat. Highly recommended. Fairly large selection of US, British, and German forces. They have the best 3lb grasshopper gun I have seen. It even comes with a horse so the gun can limber. I’d definitely recommend Polly Oliver figures to flesh out your collection.
Stone Mountain - Phone(303) 654-7989 Fax(303) 659-9024 Email: StonMtnMin@aol.com
Website: http://members.aol.com/stonmtnmin/index.html
Stone Mountain figures have little sculpted detail, but they come in a variety of poses. With bandaged heads, different hats, coats, etc. Their Militia pack is a must have since you get a huge variety of militia figures. They also carry some figures that nobody else does at the time this was written. I used Stone Mountain figures to add variety to my Minifigs. Stone Mountain and Minifig figures blend nicely together.
25mm Figure Review
Essex Miniatures: US distributor is Wargames. Their URL is
www.speartorifle.com. They carry both Essex and Dixon figs. Their catalog lists
25mm AWI figures from both manufacturers.
Old Glory Miniatures : http://www.oldgloryminiatures.com
list 6 pages of AWi 25mm figs: at least 4 listings for what appear to be militia
including mounted Kentucky rifles ( or are these 1812 ) ?
Parkfield Miniatures:
http://www.parkfieldminiatures.freeservers.com/ : list US and British 25's
for AWI, with militia and Indians from their French & Indian wars that probable
can be used for AWI
Redoubt Miniatures : http://www.redoubtenterprises.com/
show AWI figures in their catalog
Warrior Miniatures : http://www.warrioronline.demon.co.ukalso
show AWI figures in their catalog.
15mm Figure Review Photos (Cheval figures are now called Jeff Valent Studios figures)
