Stone Mountain Miniatures Apaches?

[grubman]

I’ve been trying to hunt down the Stone Mountain Miniatures WW112 Apaches (Geronimo, Natchez, and 2 Warriors)…in the blister, loose, painted, or not…problem is, I’ve never actually SEEN them, and all my internet searches have come up empty.  Stone Mt. is still in business…but I’ve been trying to contact them for some time with absolutely no response. 

Any pics or links to pics would be GREATLY appreciated…and, of course, if you have some to sell, let me know.

[Tom Dulski]

 Have you tried Ebay? I would imagine to would be your best bet.

[grubman]

Have you tried Ebay? I would imagine to would be your best bet.

Yes, daily…but if they aren’t in the blister, and just being sold as random minis, or in some big lot, I’m not exactly sure what to look for.  I was hoping someone who had some could post a picture. 🙂

[FifteensAway]

I believe the Stone Mountain proprietor roams about here on LAF.  However, he is notoriously bad about responding to emails.  Always gotten what I ordered in a timely fashion over the years, however.  Also, he is not a young man anymore; rather like a lot of historical miniatures companies out there - the people running those businesses are long in the tooth and, being such small businesses, have no succession plans.  We are in the midst of a great shakeout and disappearance of ranges that shall continue for a bit I fear as proprietors 'age out' of the hobby.  We should all be thankful for those few companies that buy up fading ranges and keep them alive.  Thankfully, I am at the tale end of buying miniatures, mostly just buildings now - and 3D printing has transformed that space dramatically. 

The moral: if you see and want it, buy it now - before it is gone tomorrow never to return.

I do hope the proprietor sees your post and responds!

edit: he is StoneMtnMinis on LAF - but not a prolific poster, last was summer of 2024 and only about 120 posts in ten years.  Maybe try sending him a PM.  Also found been in business since 1981 - and owner Dave Babb was elected president of organization that runs Origins conventions back in 1994 (at the first significant convention I ever attended when it was held in San Jose, California, USA).  In 2024 Origins had almost 18,000 attendees, not a small event.  I doubt Mr. Babb is still president.

[grubman]

I believe the Stone Mountain proprietor roams about here on LAF.  However, he is notoriously bad about responding to emails.  Always gotten what I ordered in a timely fashion over the years, however.  Also, he is not a young man anymore; rather like a lot of historical miniatures companies out there - the people running those businesses are long in the tooth and, being such small businesses, have no succession plans.  We are in the midst of a great shakeout and disappearance of ranges that shall continue for a bit I fear.  We should all be thankful for those few companies that buy up fading ranges and keep them alive.  Thankfully, I am at the tale end of buying miniatures, mostly just buildings now - and 3D printing has transformed that space dramatically. 

The moral: if you see and want it, buy it now - before it is gone tomorrow never to return.

I do hope the proprietor sees your post and responds!

edit: he is StoneMtnMinis - but not a prolific poster, last was summer of 2024 and only about 120 posts in ten years.  Maybe try sending him a PM.

Yeah…the Wild West line disappeared some time ago.  I’ve asked about it’s fate a few times, especially since I know many casters who would love to pick it up…but never a response.  I’m also curious who the sculptor was, as I love the style and wonder what else he (or she) may have done

[FifteensAway]

See edit to post.  And I may have some figures from that range still in blisters - I'll check later for the specific ones.  Acquired at a swap meet a couple years ago with no plans with what to do with them. Wait, just remembered, here is a link to some (not sure if all) of what I got:

https://whiskeyhills.blogspot.com/2023/09/a-brief-encounter-with-larger-scale.html

If interested in the figures, let me know.  I'll double check how many packs there are later (pretty early and heading back to bed shortly).  Be nice to see them go to a home where they will be appreciated and put to use.

[grubman]

See edit to post.  And I may have some figures from that range still in blisters - I'll check later for the specific ones.  Acquired at a swap meet a couple years ago with no plans with what to do with them. Wait, just remembered, here is a link to some (not sure if all) of what I got:

https://whiskeyhills.blogspot.com/2023/09/a-brief-encounter-with-larger-scale.html

If interested in the figures, let me know.  I'll double check how many packs there are later (pretty early and heading back to bed shortly).  Be nice to see them go to a home where they will be appreciated and put to use.

Thanks, I actually have all those except the Lawmen…but really want to pick up the Apaches…you should paint them though 😀

[FifteensAway]

Late response but all the packs I have at that link.

[grubman]

Still looking 😞…I did track down the sculptor, but he has no connection to Stone Mountain, it was just freelance work in the day, and he has no further info for me.

[FifteensAway]

Can you share the name of the sculptor (via PM if you don't think he wants it to be overly public)?

Thanks.

[grubman]

His name is Chris Ferree…he still sculpts (historical…not much interested in non-historical…even the cinematic western figs was pushing it for him)  and does freelance work elsewhere.  He has a lot of stuff both old and new (his style has become much more refined, although I like the older crude stuff) at the Virtual Armchair General… https://www.thevirtualarmchairgeneral.com/

He was kind enough to answer my questions, and was very pleasant …but has obviously moved on to other projects, and the Stone Mt. figs were just “another job” without much back stories (I was hoping for some dramatic story 😆).. As far as the western line is concerned, the best bit of trivia was that he also sculpted a “gang” for someone related (I can’t remember who), but that was a Commission for that person, those minis weren’t cast in metal.

[Inkpaduta]

He seems to be more active on TMP. Maybe you could try there to contact him.

[grubman]

He seems to be more active on TMP. Maybe you could try there to contact him.

Who?  Chris, the sculptor?  We emailed back and forth for a while.  If you mean Stone Mountain Miniatures, Ive given up on him…I’m glad Im not a current buyer, as customer service must be atrocious.

I haven’t been on TMP in a long time.  Every time I try to go on that site I get all kinds of data security warnings 🤷🏻

[FifteensAway]

TMP is http versus https and that is why you get the warning.  Doubt there is much chance of problems visiting the site but you never know.  Some serious vitriol leveled at the site, with good cause sadly, which might lead some folk to bad actions.  I don't participate there anymore, not for years, but occasional searches lead there and I've 'visited' without any problems I've noticed.

Recent conversation via internet with TVAG indicates Chris is still actively working on projects for him.  And I'm hoping he might work on one of interest to me - but no guarantees and a ways down the road it seems on the TVAG project list, if it happens.

[Inkpaduta]

Sorry, I meant the owner of Stone Mountain.