Early ACW Volunteers with shakos

[Rochejaquelein]

I was wondering if anyone knew of any manufacturers of early ACW militia units wearing shakos. I know Perry makes some but they're wearing heavy coats that might be a bit too warm looking for what I have planned. I also know about 1st Corps, which is an option, but I'm just seeing what's out there. Preferably something that scales well with Perry so I can have them fight Perry's 1860s British Expeditionary Force.

Thanks!

[Dan55]

Have you thought of checking out different periods?  Such as War of 1812 militia in shakos, or Mexican American war?  With the correct painting they may pass.

[George1863]

Dixon supply a range of 'early war militia' figures in shako, I believe including artillery. Size-wise they should fit with Perry but I don't have any to post a pic (mine are Redoubt and Renegade).

[commissarmoody]

Too bad the Perrys didn't make a separate headset. Then just get the plastics put the heads on them.

[Extrabio1947]

They will take some tweaking, but you may want to look at the Perry British Intervention range, especially the figures in the 1855 shako.

[Rochejaquelein]

Dixon supply a range of 'early war militia' figures in shako, I believe including artillery. Size-wise they should fit with Perry but I don't have any to post a pic (mine are Redoubt and Renegade).

By the looks of it, Dixon looks pretty comprehensive, but their site says that their ACW range is 25mm, which might be a bit too noticeable with Perry's 28mm figures. Anyone have both manufacturers?

Have you thought of checking out different periods?  Such as War of 1812 militia in shakos, or Mexican American war?  With the correct painting they may pass.

Mexicans might work, nice point.

They will take some tweaking, but you may want to look at the Perry British Intervention range, especially the figures in the 1855 shako.

Its an option, but my kitbashing skills leave much to be desired.

[George1863]

I agree. Dixon will not match with Perry 28mm plastics. I have knocked around a long while and never in plastic. When you mentioned 'Perry' my brain automatically translated that as 'Foundry', rather than the brothers later projects. Dixon and Foundry is a workable mix. Ironically, the ranges of the '80s tended to have slightly large heads, in reaction to the very angular heads of the manufacturers of the '60s and '70s. I would guess that a Dixon shakoed head in 25mm would match a Perry 28mm plastic body; and if you replaced the Dixon lead heads in plastic 28mm, you might also have acceptable miniatures. Just a thought.

[italwars]

Hi
I imagine that ACW shakos are similar to European ones same period. In that case you could have a try with separated neapolitan army shako heads (around 1860) recently produced by the Italian brand Shako64..they are sold in blister of 4 and with different options such as covered, uncovered, with chevrons ecc..
By the way, being a similar period, it’s also possible that you could use the very full figures of shako headed Neapolitans in tunic or  short jackets or even the headless garibaldini provided with Neapolitan shako of their range as ACW volunteers with only an appropriate paint job ..but I cannot help anymore on uniforms as ACW is not my cup of tea.

[Rochejaquelein]

Hi
I imagine that ACW shakos are similar to European ones same period. In that case you could have a try with separated neapolitan army shako heads (around 1860) recently produced by the Italian brand Shako64..they are sold in blister of 4 and with different options such as covered, uncovered, with chevrons ecc..
By the way, being a similar period, it’s also possible that you could use the very full figures of shako headed Neapolitans in tunic or  short jackets or even the headless garibaldini provided with Neapolitan shako of their range as ACW volunteers with only an appropriate paint job ..but I cannot help anymore on uniforms as ACW is not my cup of tea.

Those look like they would be perfect! And given that I would use them for a volunteer militia unit, I don't think I would have to do much with conversions if I decided to get the whole model. I'm thinking the Bourbon chasseurs in frock coats and uncovered shakos look like the best fit.

[commissarmoody]

Thanks for the info. I might pick some up in the future.
https://www.shako64.com/product-category/bourbon-army/heads-for-conversion-bourbon-army/

[italwars]

Yes they are very useful..great  choice of separated heads and backpacks for 19 c. armies..I used garibaldini Kepis for converting ACW plastic artillery men from Perry to make various French colonial spare men /engineers ..and same kepis to transform Perry ACW Zouaves into Pontifical Zouaves.