"Back of Beyond" in the 1860s-1870s?

[bbtoys333]

I'm new here so apologies if I am asking a noobie question. It seems that most 28mm figures and wargame projects in Central Asia (some really fine looking ones at that) focus on the 1920s. Does anyone here work on mid- to late 19th century "Back of Beyond" projects? I am interested in developing my own linked to the Dungan/Hui/Chinese Muslim rebellion in Chinese Turkestan.

As I am also working on the Second Anglo-Afghan war campaign as well as the Taiping Rebellion I can piggyback the new project on these two. By just adding some Russians and Turcoman types I may be able to field "Back of Beyond" games set in the  1860s-70s .... well, no trains.  :-(

First, I would like to see whether the requisite forces are in fact available and I give a preliminary list below (which I will update as I receive more information). I would be grateful for further suggestions.

Second, I would be delighted to be pointed to the right places for gallery pictures, etc., to see what others have already done.

Dungan/Hui troops: Foundry Taiping rebels, Perry Crusades Range Turcomans possibly

Kokandians, Kashgaris, Kirghiz, Afghans in Yaqub Beg's service etc.: Foundry NWF Pathans/Afghans, Ascari, plus Perry Crusades Range Turcomans possibly. [Siberia]

Qing troops (fresh from just having crushed the Taiping rebellion): Foundry Taiping Range Chinese. The Qing troops brought up-to-date Krupp guns to the fight apparently: would the Perry Sudan Egyptian ones work?

Russians: Eureka, Askari, Siberia, Outpost. [Tsuba: Russo-Japanese war range, slightly later uniforms ]

Ottoman and British expeditonary forces (in a what-if fantasy scenario): Foundry, Perry, Eureka, Outpost

[Plynkes]

Hi there.

Not an area of interest of mine, I'm afraid, so I can't bring a whole lot to the party, but I do know that Askari Miniatures do both 1870s Russians and some Central Asian types. Might be worth checking out.

And welcome aboard, by the way.  

[Siaba]

I have taiping and imperial chinese armies in 28mm (FOUNDRY figures of course) and plan to build a turcoman army to provide another opponent for my imperial chinese.
For the figures, I would mix ASCARI turcomans and FOUNDRY afghans....have also a look at SIBERIA turcomans. Concerning PERRY turkoman, I think they don't have the right dress 

[bbtoys333]

Thanks much, Plynkes and Slaba. I have just checked out both Askari and Siberia Miniatures... the latter firm was completely unknown to me before so I am particularly glad to discover its existence.

Askari's Central Asian line looks promising indeed and has Kashgari figures even. The sculpts themselves IMHO aren't quite as exquisite as Perry Foundry figures but should do at a pinch. I'll pick some up later along with other goodies I came across while perusing the site (e.g., German colonial limbers for another project).

The Siberian Miniature Basmachi figures look good but the equipment (rifles) may be too noticeably modern for my needs. I'll get some if can persuade myself that I will go through the trouble of swapping the rifles for muskets some day.

Thanks again, Richard

[Hobbit]

You might also find some useful bits in Outpost's Russo-Turkish War range:

http://www.outpostwargameservices.co.uk/russo_turkish.html

[bbtoys333]

Thanks, Hobbit.  Outpost was unknown to me before so I do appreciate the suggestion.

I have added the suggested manufacturers to my list in the first post now...

[MatrixGamer]

For Europeans and Ottomans Crimean War figs are good. Afghan War figs should work for Central Asians. Boxer Chinese were the same as they were earlier in the century. The Tai Ping Rebellion could give you some great scenarios. Boxer Chinese Tartar cavalry were from Central Asia so they work well.

Great period!

[lou passejaire]

don't forget the beautiful tsuba minis :
http://tsuba-miniatures.blogspot.fr/

russians http://tsuba-miniatures.blogspot.fr/search/label/Russians
and japaneses http://tsuba-miniatures.blogspot.fr/search/label/Japanese

for the Russo-Japanese War .

nices sculpts by Paul Hicks

and Markus is a nice guy

[bbtoys333]

Thanks both. I just added Tsuba to the list even though I think the uniforms are later than what I would like. But the figures and the painting are lovely.