C19th Skirmish Rules?

[TheBlackCrane]

Another rules suggestions thread, thought I'd join in!  

Anyone know of, able to suggest a good set of skirmish rules for mid-late C19th?

I'm already planning on using Sharp Practice for bigger engagements for the same project, but I'd also like to get some which are fewer figures per side, character-driven type for small figure-to-figure (or there or thereabouts) skirmishes. Something like a historical equivalent of IHMN in terms of numbers of figures per side/group/'band'.

Anyone played Osprey's Chosen Men? Are they adaptable to later in the century?

Don't mind open rule sets which need a bit of working with - i.e. something like Open Combat but aimed at C19th  - if there are any such.

Thanks!

Rob

[StuRat]

Well, you could try removing the fantastical elements from IHMN, although that might be what makes it as a game (I don't know it well enough to say).

Brink of Battle? http://www.brinkofbattle.com

Skirmish Wargames Group's Old West Rules, recently reprinted at:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/john-curry-and-mike-blake-and-steve-curtis-and-ian-colwill/the-old-west-skirmish-wargames-wargaming-western-gunfights/paperback/product-23230267.html

Should have stats for most weapons of the era, or be easy to create any that are missing. Very simulation-y.

[Inkpaduta]

I would recommend the line of rules from Ganesha Games.
They are all based off of the Song of Blades rule set.
They would have one or two for sure in the period you are
looking for. Fast easy to learn rules.

[Andrew_McGuire]

I'm just wondering why Sharp Practice hasn't been mentioned, as this is a question which at first glance appears to answer itself. It may require rather more figures than you have in mind, and does still revolve around units, albeit small ones, rather than individuals, but otherwise it seems to be the skirmish set for mid-18th - mid 19th century.

Aside from the size of the engagement, however, it isn't geared towards conflicts post-American Civil War, because of the rapid advances in firearms technology in the subsequent decades. A forthcoming set is meant to cover this era.

[TheBlackCrane]

I'm just wondering why Sharp Practice hasn't been mentioned, as this is a question which at first glance appears to answer itself.

That would be because I meant to type Sharp Practice, not Black Powder 
Changed it now
SP does indeed meet my requirements for larger engagements with units, but not quite what I'm looking for at the smallest end of the scale too.

[TheBlackCrane]

Well, you could try removing the fantastical elements from IHMN

Did think that as I typed, but you have reminded me about Brink of Battle, which I always meant to try but had forgotten about, thanks!

[jp1885]

Brink of Battle is a great set of skirmish rules - I have used them for VBCW skirmishes but it's a multi-period ruleset so will suit 19th c.

[Will Bailie]

Have you looked at the various Old West games out there?  Technology level is about the same, tends to be character driven, one-on-one action as you have requested.  Might need some tweaking to adjust for flavour, but that shouldn't be too hard.  Many even have rules for US Cavalry that could be morphed to represent other militaries.

See here for reviews of several of the available rulesets:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=98381.0

[Captain Darling]

I second the suggestion of Song of Drums & Shakos.

Another option would be Smooth and Rifled.

[Kommando_J]

Legends of the old west is very flexible.

[Romark]

There's also Fistful of Lead Horse and Musket rules 

[levied troop]

I rather like the 2Hour Wargames Chain Reaction set for small scale skirmish (say 6 to 30 figures).  It's got a rather innovative 'turn' approach and the base rule set is free 

There's a Napoleonic version available that would be easily updateable to later, I'm currently wondering about using it for 1860:

http://www.twohourwargames.com/95th.html

[Andrew_McGuire]

A recently published set which appears to have escaped attention is Comrades in Battle, by Studio Capitan, for the American Civil War. It seems to use units of generally smaller size than Sharp Practice, and is attractively produced, with cards for the units, leaders, and events or actions ('War cards'). Sadly my knowledge is limited to this:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/studiocapitan/comrades-in-battle-acw-skirmish-28mm-rules-and-min

In addition, sets designed for later periods, such as Triumph and Tragedy and Combat Patrol, have received official or semi-official adaptations for earlier conflicts. The amended rules can often be downloaded free of charge.

[BaronVonJ]

Second Fistful of Lead: Horse and Musket:
http://www.wargamevault.com/product/194968/Fistful-of-Lead-Horse-Musket
or printed:
https://wiley-games.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/fistful-of-lead-horse-musket
But, as the author I'm biased.

[TheBlackCrane]

Hmm. Tempting. Assume Wiley ok shipping to the UK? Not that I object to pdfs but I like a tangible book!