Opium war and Taiping rebellion

[clyde85]

Just wondering if anyone knows of any good miniatures for either of these two periods or if anyone knows of any good systems for gaming either of these two periods?

[OSHIROmodels]

I think Foundry have the most comprehensive range but I'm happy to be proved wrong 

No idea about rules though. What scale are you thinking?

cheers

James

[Svennn]

First call for miniatures probably still has to be the old Foundry range sculpted by the Perrys

http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/our-ranges/colonial/china-1839-1900/

I have been bulking my own out with the Parkfield range which actually paint up quite well

http://www.parkfieldminiatures.freeservers.com/28mm%20TAIPING%20REBELLION%201851-1866.html

there is a lot more choice for the Boxer Rebellion where you can grab plenty to add to the Chinese.  Wargames Emporium (EMP) have just done a kickstarter and there are Redoubt, Old Glory, Iron Clad, Minifigs/Matchlock from Caliver, Studio Miniatures, Castaway Arts, Oshiro, Irregular, Ral Partha and probably many more.

As I cannot recall the last time I actually gamed I shall decline to suggest any rules

[clyde85]

No idea about rules though. What scale are you thinking?

I usually play battalion level or higher when it comes to these kinds of war games, though a company level game like bolt action can be fun. I was looking through the Black Powder rule book and it may be what I'm looking for but I just wanted to see if there were any others out there.   

Svennn, I'm really interested in the parkfield miniatures for this period, but get nervous when I can't see a picture of what i'm getting before I buy it. Some of their stuff I have seen looks good but I can be kinda particular with the models I buy and want to use, so I hate the idea of buying sight-unseen.

[OSHIROmodels]

I would suggest Black Powder then 

cheers

James

[Svennn]

I showed some of my early ones here

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=75728.0 and here http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=75029.0

I have done more and have the later releases undercoated in the queue.  I could never say they are the best sculpts but I am more than happy to add them for the variety they provide.

Pretty sure it was Studio who did them but their website does not seem to be working, a Sikh Wars range with British in bell top shakos that should cross over for the first war.  The Perrys have their Intervention Force with figures suitable for Brits later too.

[dhtandco]

Dare I suggest my Victorian Steel rules, we play tested them for Boxer rebellion and they seemed to give (to my group) an enjoyable and fast moving game

[HerbyF]

I really like The Sword & the Flame. Tried & tested for many years. Easy to play.

[Lowtardog]

For early opium wars empress maori war brits and Perry new cape wars brits would work well and perry carlist brits

[OSHIROmodels]

Good shout Karl 

Perry BIF would do for Taiping as well.

cheers

James

[Lowtardog]

Ironclad do some nice chinese for boxer rebellion too

http://www.ironcladminiatures.co.uk/ourshop/cat_970088-28mm-Boxer-Rebellion.html

For rules, sharp practice 2 and the up andcoming the man who would be king from Dan Mersey

[clyde85]

I don't know if this matters, but my main interest in this is collecting and playing games as the Imperial Chinese. It just seemed so rare that anyone mentions either of the aforementioned wars and I was curious to see what was out there.

I don't mind the boxer rebellion, but that is a much later period then I'm looking to get into, and I feel like Imperial Chinese from these periods wouldn't carry over well into the Boxer period.

[HerbyF]

Chinese Imperial troops of the Boxer Rebellion era are of 3 different types mainly. There were the new formations, many of witch were formed as a result of the Taiping rebellion. These were raised, trained, and armed on a more modern(European) footing. Local & tribal formations like the Braves or Tartar cavalry. These units may have acquired some more up to date weapons & equipment, but still fought in more traditional manor. Then there were the Bannermen or Manchu troops. These would have seen little if any changes from the time of the Taiping rebellion to the Boxer rebellion. Still armed with traditional weapons, outdated matchlocks & other old fire arms, bows & crossbows, and assorted melee weapons. The bannermen Imperial troops from Boxer rebellion ranges could still be used to represent them for the Taiping rebellion & Opium wars. Tigermen both from Bannerman formations & separate Imperial units would not have changed any either.