Miniature Wargaming Figures

When it comes to selecting  historical miniatures, and especially 28mm, there are a wide variety of manufacturers to pick from. Some are good and some are not so good. And believe me, there are many choices out there. However, there are four important factors to consider; popularity, cost, availability and quality. With the rising cost of everything in this country, and the declining value of the US dollar in Europe, cost is an important factor regardless of what period of history you intend to recreate in miniature form.  In short, and when speaking in comparisons, you will probably get what you pay for even though the prices for miniatures in general has increased drastically.  

That said, I have taken a few of the more familiar commercially manufactured brands (from the "Horse and Musket" of the 1700 and 1800's) as the focal point of this article. Very popular in this era, as it has consistently been for the last three decades, are miniatures from the American Civil War and Napoleonic War periods. They still manage to hold their own. Next in line is the Seven Years War (French and Indian War) period. Upcoming periods of interest and miniature gaming are Pirates and the War of Spanish Succession. The Wild West era and the Texas War of Independence (Alamo), as well as the Mexican American War, are also becoming popular. Once a good contender, but for the past 20 years loosing ground, are games and figures from the American War of Independence.  

Since popularity regulates demand and demand directly effects both availability and price, all of these areas of importance are just about one and the same at the retail stores or on the internet. Now lets look at a few "leading" manufacturers and talk quality. In this area, price sometimes, but not always, looses some of its impact. To some avid historical wargamers, especially those with a limited range of interest, the sculpting (detail) and the crisp, clean appearance of the miniature is more important then it's cost. They prefer a certain company's product over the other manufacturers and simply won't mix the figure within their miniature "armies". 

What about painting miniatures for profit (or loss, depending on who you talk too)? This is very important if a person intends to paint figures for the expressed purpose of selling them on e-Bay or at miniature gaming conventions. First off, and in this arena, you better be offering a paint job of a professional standard (at the 8-10 level amongst we wargamers) if you intend to get between $6 and $8 per each based and flocked dismounted miniature. Additionally, the miniature had better be one that is produced by one of the "top of the line" miniature manufacturing companies. If you fail in either of these areas, you simply won't be successful at selling your painted mini's at the cost indicated above. Figures painted to wargaming standard (less then 7 level), regardless of who produced them or figures that are not manufactured from one of the quality producing companies, regardless of the level of painting quality, simply won't bring in top dollar.    

This is clearly exemplified in the painted 28mm wargaming miniature category on e-Bay.  In an effort not to "slam" any one specific company's product line, I recently saw 21 Napoleonic Danish 28mm figures, produced by Minifigs, that sold for $28.00. Conversely, on that same day, 20  Imperial Roman 28mm figures, manufactured by Black Tree Design, sold for $76.00 and 20 AWI Line Infantry pro-painted (DPS) figures, produced by Front Rank, sold for $130.00. This is not to say that this is always the case (folks in a financial crunch have unfortunately been forced to sell great figures for far less then they are worth), but this is a pretty constant rule for the most part.  A good rule of thumb is the cost of the painted and flocked miniature should not exceed twice the average retail cost of the same miniature unpainted. Below are a few unpainted figures of the more common miniatures one can expect to see on sale or on the wargaming table. 

Front Rank (AWI)         Old Glory (AWI)             Crusader (SYW)        Foundry (AWI)            Artizan (TWI) 

FRONT RANK MINIATURES (England). Another import, these fine miniatures are distributed by Miniature Service Center. These miniatures are sold individually and this means you don't get stuck with excess miniatures which you can't use, which is all to common in "blister packs". Individual figures retail for $2.50 each and horses retail for $3.35 each. Though this may seem somewhat high in comparison to other miniatures, one look at the quality and astonishing historical detail of the figures will tell you why. Though a little stout in appearance, they are simply unequalled. The only setback is that the company's product line is limited from the Medieval period to the Napoleonic Wars. 

OLD GLORY MINIATURES: No other company produces a wider range of miniature figures than Old Glory. Virtually every era one can think of can be found in the "blister packs" manufactured by this company. If you are just starting out and need to amass a good size "army" for wargaming purposes, I would suggest these miniatures.  Although these miniatures appear "gaunt", and lack the smooth detail and clean lines of some of the other figures on the market, they are less expensive and much easier to acquire. Although most hobby shops, that cater to wargamers, carry a large selection of these figures, they are sold in "packs", which means you will have spare figures that you probably will not need. You get about 30 dismounted or 10 mounted miniatures for $30, which is great for starter units but a real drawback when a smaller number of figures are needed. Also, if you intend to paint figures to sell, I would recommend one of the better quality miniature figures.  

CRUSADER MINIATURES: This company offers miniatures that range from Ancients, Seven Years War, Dark Ages, Wild West, Pirates, Medieval and World War II.  The also sell in blister packs of 8 dismounted figures for $16.00 and 3 mounted figures, with horses, for $16.00.  I believe this company, and its line of miniatures, are owned by, or at least have a strong business relationship with, Old Glory Miniatures. Either way, they have a good range of miniature figures, that are crisply detailed and have good body proportions.   

ARTIZAN: This company is relatively new, but their miniature line is very good. They first produced Wild West figures but have since expanded to include WWII, Pirates, Medieval and Ancients. Additionally, they also produce an excellent line of both Alamo defenders and Mexican Infantry. Their figures come 3 to a pack and retail for $10 a pack. In comparison, the prices of these miniatures are a little bit on the expensive side, however, if the Wild West or the Alamo are of your interest, you may consider Artizan's line of miniatures worth the expense.     

RENEGADE: (England) These are also very well done miniatures. Aide from American Civil War, they care a complete line of Punic Wars, English Civil War and World War II. As with most miniature companies these days, the figures come in "blister packs" and in this case of Renegade Miniatures, you get 8 per pack for $18.00. You can also get "unit" packs, which are 3 of the blister packs for around $50. 

DIXON:This company has been around for a long time and they specialized for years in Wild West miniatures. They also have a complete line of Vikings, Pirates, Alamo, American Revolutionary War, Samurai, Gangsters, and English Civil War. As with the higher end minatures, Dixon's figures have very clean lines and great detail, although they are somewhat on the "stocky" side. With this company, miniatures can be order individually at dismounted figures for $2.09 and mounted miniatures for $4.24. Of note, Dixon's line of horses are some of the best sculptured mounts you will ever see.  

Below is an example of three Front Rank British figures.. From left to right; American Revolutionary War, French and Indian War and War if Spanish Succession. Note that amount detail (shadowing, inking, etc) in these figures. In the case of figures with less detail or rough finishes, they lack the smooth surfaces, clean facial expressions and detail to permit a high quality paint job.  bill.