Wargaming esoteric periods.......

[Shipka]

For those of us that are drawn to little known wars , the subject of figure availability  in 28mm leeds many to look at proxy figures or converting , for those to whom converting lead is one skill too many...consider commissioning, its not as expensive as one would thing especially if you get someone or a group of like minded souls to come in with you. Share thoughts on conversions as others may have better ideas as to the basic figs to use., some may have not been immediately apparent.
The more we see of unusual or seldom known wars gamed the more likely hood of a manufacturer taking up the chsllenge, this is how The Carlist Wars figs came about!

[bulldogger2000]

Years ago there was only one company that made figures for the Mexican-American War and THAT company (Mini-fig) had stopped producing the line (It was near impossible to find those out of production figures).  I sculpted my own, converted other figures and eventually ran large convention games in the Mexican-American period.  a few years later it seemed like companies were tripping over themselves to produce figures for this period.  Of course I added those figures to my collection, but those original figures remain active participants in my gaming for the period. 

[Kommando_J]

I've always wanted to explore the minor conflicts in my own country (Ireland), Trent miniatures does some stuff...but they look awful and are separate head, which not only do I loathe but also make the sculpts look even more crude.

[Shipka]

http://www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk/Catalogue.aspx?ScaleID=3&CategoryID=20&SubCategoryID=334



Bulldogger the Mini-fig figures you speak of, assuming they are 25mm are available through Caliver Books

[Shipka]

If one goes down the commissioning of a sculpt route dependent on the sculptor one uses the cost  tends to start around £140/$202.......I would recommend this way forward where you need massed ranks of a certain type of figure.

I have to confess a loathing of multipart figs!, but it does provide the ability of getting more for your money

[bulldogger2000]

Bulldogger the Mini-fig figures you speak of, assuming they are 25mm are available through Caliver Books
[/quote]
Thank you sir, I was not aware of that.  But, my search for them was years and several hundred figures ago.  I've since moved on to other off the beaten path periods.  I might take a look for nostalgia's sake.  Thank you.

[sepoy1857]

Years ago there was only one company that made figures for the Mexican-American War and THAT company (Mini-fig) had stopped producing the line (It was near impossible to find those out of production figures).  I sculpted my own, converted other figures and eventually ran large convention games in the Mexican-American period.  a few years later it seemed like companies were tripping over themselves to produce figures for this period.  Of course I added those figures to my collection, but those original figures remain active participants in my gaming for the period. 

It's time for a completely new line pf MAW figures in 28mm based on the latest research!

[Shipka]

The last MAW ranges by scale that I am aware of is Blue Moon 18mm First Corps 28mm and Gringos40 in 40mm

[italwars]

If one goes down the commissioning of a sculpt route dependent on the sculptor one uses the cost  tends to start around £140/$202.......I would recommend this way forward where you need massed ranks of a certain type of figure.

i can certainly let do the work by personal sculptor , one of the two who made my Italwars line many years ago , by a cheaper sum..
another good way is to cantact my friend Uwe at Hagen miniatures..they are specialised in comission works on "exotic periods"..normally in 20mm but now they are beginning 28mm. they have very interesting formulae for comissioned figures
http://historyin172.blogspot.it/
and
http://www.hagen-miniatures.de/index.php/en/

[Shipka]

Hopefully they may do their 20mm Honveds in 28mm then!, my existing project is working on wars 1830-1865 in Europe,  uprisings and revolutions

[sepoy1857]

The last MAW ranges by scale that I am aware of is Blue Moon 18mm First Corps 28mm and Gringos40 in 40mm

Yes but only 28mm counts 1st corps are nice, but there are some holes in the range and some uniform variations that should be added.

[WillieB]

I've always wanted to explore the minor conflicts in my own country (Ireland), Trent miniatures does some stuff...but they look awful and are separate head, which not only do I loathe but also make the sculpts look even more crude.

My esoteric itches are being scratched by the best figure sculptors in the world, Paul Hicks and the Perry twins ( Indian Mutiny and Napoleon in Egypt-the latter by both!)
But take another look at the Trent figures. The LOOK quite crude in bare metal but once painted up are actually quite nice. They are on the large size but the range is fairly complete.

[olicana]

Esoteric wargaming is a bit like skiing off piste. Great fun but, don't expect to be rescued.

I remember, back in the day, when many periods were considered a little esoteric that are now considered rather mainstream.

I guess Carlist Wars has become the 'icon period' for esoteric conflict gamers, in that everyone now knows of it but few know anything about it (including me), and that it is now well supported with figure ranges. Carlist Wars, if I'm not mistaken, is a sub period of 'Napoleonics' that requires less figures than the 'period proper' to play. That is not a bad thing in itself but, I do question the motives of some who decry those who have spent years of their lives pursuing 'main stream' with a 'new shiny thing' evangelism: this evangelist attitude has largely put me off most esoteric periods.

Believe me, I'm not having a go at people that want to explore new periods and invest their time and money in the promulgation of their interest. I'm just a little unsure of the motives of those who jump on the band wagon once it gets going.

[olicana]

posted twice, sorry

[Leigh Metford]

If I might briefly resurrect this thread...

I think exotic subjects are worth considering if they offer tactical possibilities different to mainstream conflicts; e.g. The Paraguayan War gives you grand tactical late 19th century campaigns in a tropical setting, but much more than that, it features an army whose troops almost never retreated but fought virtually to the last man; a unique combination.