Northstar 1866 range

[redzed]

I've often looked at that range with one eye on my long-cherished Prisoner of Zenda skirmish project.

you as well 
I was looking at 40mm 'toy' soldier style.

[nicknorthstar]

Ok, I'm officially excited. Mr Collier has just emailed photos of the finished Prussian 1st Hussar figures.

Huzzah.

[Orctrader]

...Prisoner of Zenda skirmish project...

I have some of the Prussian Jagers - obtained as part of a figure swap - that I'm going to paint as Ruritanian troopers for Ebay sometime.  Partly because if you make up your own uniforms it's easier.   
 
(Never have seen a suitable miniature for Rupert of Hentzau (James Mason version.)  )

Anyway, back on topic, the few I have are nice figures.  And surprised to hear they are not big sellers because apart from their intended purpose seem to lend themselves to VSF stuff.
 

[nicknorthstar]

LAF is a special 'bubble' in wargaming.

Most out there have never heard of the War of 1866, trust me. & late 19th Century wargaming is not popular outside of ACW & Colonial. Just read the note in Black Powder about the War of 1866.

The VSF boys also I suspect don't look wide enough. When we sold the figures in packs, they were clearly going to wargamers who wanted armies, few were noticable adventure gamers.

[Johnp4000]

That is an interesting point Nick, have you seen the page count on Gringo40's Italian Independence /French, indo china wars? Realistically how are how many figures will these ranges  sell? The military side at least with the later has very few, if any English sources which will limit interest.
I am not sure that comment in Black powder is  representative of the general view more a reflection of the author's own prejudice but there again I don't see how one sided colonial conflicts even make a challenging game? Late 19th century has always been a niche period and it is fair to say the 1870 war generally attracts the most attention than Bismarck's earlier conflicts.

[nicknorthstar]

Well, I'm a fan.

It's like a lot of things, I was a big SCW fan, but really I was a voice in the wilderness, and now I've gone onto other things I can see how uninterested most gamers are. And lets not even start on the French Dutch War 1672.

I play our Death in the Dark Continent for Colonial Africa, and it gives a good even game. Of course the spear armed natives are up against it when faced with Imperial Redcoats, but I've shooed them off many a time. It's just tactically taxing.

[Johnp4000]

I have to be honest Nick, I was going to ask you about the popularity of the 1672 range as it seems to be a crossover between the Nine years war and the WSS which again doesn't seem as popular as the 7 years war.
I always been a fan of the period and interesting mix of technology and tactics, and all in colour before the world goes all khaki and field grey.
At the level of Death in  the dark continent I think the poor natives stand a better chance than in the game that Black powder normally represents?

[traveller]

Well, beside the 1866 war the range has potential for Denmark 1864, Italy 1860s and France 1870, not to mention VSF and to use the jaegers for conversion into German police. Its a great range that just needs some attention. Maybe a potential Nickstarter

[juergen c. olk]

Nick follow your heart on occasion...it; does your soul good....I feel your pain though ,I currently got doe converting fillubusters for William Walkers campaign in Nicaraugua in the 1850;s  ..my group looked at me and went why?....I don;t care...