The Collection Rationalisation

Sounds like the name for an episode of The Big Bang Theory, doesn't it?
I have somewhere in the region of 250 Eureka Saxon infantry and 40-50 of their Arquebusiers de Grassin that I have decided to move on as they are no longer really fitting in with the Spencer Smith/Holger Ericson direction in which I am taking my collection.
The figures are mint and in "as new' condition.

I'd be looking for $AU1.50 per infantry figure or $AU3.00 per mounted figure (there are a few).

Some pix here:
http://mavisming.blogspot.com/2007/07/painted-eureka-saxons.html

and here:
http://mavisming.blogspot.com/2007/07/review-of-eureka-100-club-saxons.html

If anyone is interested, please drop me a line at : colonialwargamer@gmail.com

Making Hungarians

For no good reason the conversion bug hit me last night and I felt the desire to start working up some RSM Croats for the seven Years' War into Hungarian infantry for the 1740-45 period of the War of the Austrian Succession.

As may be seen in the Knoetel print above, there were decided similarities between the uniforms of the two, especially that of the Kokenyesdi Regiment, so I decided to proceed on that basis.

The raw material, RSM Croats. The similarity between these and the illustration is obvious. Note how good they look in three ranks! Just like the real thing!

Step one. Cut down the Klobuk (the tall felt hat) to a size more in keeping with the Hungarian template. Step two will be to add the red 'bag top" to the hat. Time for some Greenstuff.

Regiment Sachsen-Gotha

A bit of a quickie post this evening. I wanted to show off the first few figures of the latest of the Saxony-inspired Imperial Regiments.

Based on Sachsen-Gotha's Regiment of the Seven Years' War, they depart fropm the original in the headhear of their Grenadiers; those of the real thing being more in the Prussian mode.

Completed Regiment "Markgraf Lubomirsky"

Showing off the Grenadiers' hats.

 Has it only been twelve days since I completed my last regiment? This one has had me by the throat and I've not been able to let it go.

 

This regiment is based on the Saxon one of the same name.

 The drummer is rather anachronistic, being accurate-ish for the War of the Austrian Succession, while the rest of the unit is painted for the Seven Years' War.

Just another view showing off the Ensign. This is the seventh Spencer Smith unit I have painted for my collection and the first I have done without lapes for whatever that may be worth. I'm intending to do one more with pale blue Lapels for the Imperials and then turn to Cavalry.

Sometimes it's not worth posting a comment on a blog!

I've been called a lot of things on the Internet before, but this is a first!

Salm-Salm-Salm Regiment now complete

 As ever, I am posting in very great haste as I am about to shoot off out of the front door, but I wanted to post a couple of pictures of the now-complete Salm-Salm-Salm regiment.

Regimental flag is by the ever useful WarFlag.

In the background lurks the finally completed Obrist of the Alzheimer "la Rosee" Regiment, finally back from leave!

A couple of Landsknechts

 I've spent the past couple of painting sessions working on a couple of Willie Landsknechts. I've carried on the theme of the past fgew months and these two fellows hail from Alzheim and the Empire around 1500-1520 - at least, that's what it said on the woodcut.

 These figures were an absolute delight to paint, and their anatomy, posing and animation are a sight to be seen. I think these are some of Surens' finest.

Looking back and looking forward

Sleepless at a quarter-past-midnight, I've decided to get out of bed and write myself to a standstill.

Looking back over the past 12 months, I am as ever somewhat amazed at how much I have acheived on the one hand, and how little I have actually finished on the other.

On the credit side of the ledger, I have been very productive; taking the Spencer Smith project, I have either bought or painted nine regiments of foot, six of horse and a pair of batteries all of which are in a state where I would not be ashamed to put them on a table and play a game with them. On the debit side, I have yet to do so! Likewise the "Old School ACW" project - I spent most of 2010 getting theresources in place and have so far played exactly one game with them.

While I am being hard on myself, there is the "1565 Project" which in my usual style got off to a flying start and is now little more than a disjointed collection of (albeit nicely-painted) bits.

I suffer from a lack of an opponent and a regular close peer group (sorry online world, but you're just not the same as the real thing!) who would keep me better stimulated. I'm sad to report that I find solo gaming both a bore and a chore. Note - join a club! This is a state of affairs that I really need to address to move forward.

On the positive side (and looking forward) I am currently involved in a group project to put three (!) demonstration games on at CanCon 2013. They will be Isandalwana, 55 Days at Peking and a yet-to-be-finalised action from the Franco-Prussian War - the last I am especially hopng to be deeply involved in as I want the chance to paint some of the Spencer Smith "Classic" FPW figures.

Equally on the positive side, I am fizzing with enthusiasm for my Willie Landsknechts just now. Whether they will develop into a "proper" army or just a collection of stuff I like... well, let history be the judge of that. If nothing else, at least they will tie in with the figures I have for the "1565 project". Or maybe that may morph into some sort of Wars of Religion beast.

Again, on the plus side, I have just about finalised a deal on some old Ral Partha Renaissance/Condottiere figures. And, yes, I do realise that this is doubling up something terrible. Nonetheless, these are really lovely sculpts and do I really need a reason? True 25mm by Ton Meier. They look like Swiss and Landsknechts for the most part that I have an eye on to mess about with for the early Italian Wars. I am seriously thinking of turning them into DBR armies as they would fit the basing really well. The small army sizes for DBR mean that I could create 3 or 4 factions should campaigning appeal.

A final mooted project would be a Willie Old West Cavalry versus Indians grand skirmish. Again, I love the figures and I am certainly NOT thinking of the Little Big Horn. Really. Not.

No, really.

Salm-Salm-Salm Regiment

 Happy New Year to all, and as the painting round starts to crank up again, I thought I'd post a couple of work-in-progress pictures of the latest regiment of the Imperial Army. Thirty figures down and another 23 to go to finish up the current painting challenge.

Regiment Salm-Salm-Salm is the personal plaything of the Imperial Minister to Alzheim, Herr Salm-Salm-Salm. A wily minister, he will play no little part in the dramas soon to unfold.