David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Thursday 29 August 2019

Kentucky Mounted Militia

These are the very first Knuckleduster Miniatures I have owned or painted. Most of my War of 1812 collection is from Foundry, mainly the range sculpted by my chum Aly Morrison supplemented by some Perry sculpted Peninsular War era British infantry sporting the Stovepipe shako. I would have preferred to stay in house so as to speak but to acquire 6 of these by Foundry would have meant buying six packs of Militia at £72! Clearly the pack structure has more to do with moulds than with a knowledge of US troops and uniforms for the period!
I can't say I much liked the figures when I first cleaned them up, and undercoating did little to change my view. However, I started on them eventually and I have been pleasantly surprised at how they have turned out. The sculpting style is more Old Glory/Elite than Foundry, but I believe they will do. You can see for yourself anyway ~



On the back of my experience with these examples I made a second order to Caliver for Canadian Militia in round hats. Sadly only one pack has arrived so far, the remaining packs having to be ordered in from the USA. If I'd have seen they were not in stock I might not have bothered!
Anyway, at The Other Partizan earlier in August I bought four packs of British infantry in round hats and overalls from Perry Miniatures' Egypt range. They will also do duty as Canadian Militia when their moment comes. If I like the Knuckleduster Canadians then I will risk a further Caliver order for a couple of units of their US militia in round hats, perhaps one in hunting coats and one with turn back coats. More as and when.
After finishing the Mounted Militia I've also completed a Perry Miniatures mounted Colonel, to lead my one unit of 1812 British Light Dragoons. Now he is done a change of era and manufacturer to some Casting Room Miniatures Early Italian Wars Light Cavalry, as Phil has started his own version.

21 comments:

  1. Well they look mighty fine to me:)

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  2. I think they look ace! Just the right side of dynamic is what I would say!
    Best Iain

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    1. A bit close to the St Vitus’s Dance school of sculpting for my taste, but acceptable for the reasons I outlined.

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  3. They do look good. I am always tempted by their Western figures but they only show you the computer generated sculpt not the actual one.

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    1. All the figures are on their website, surely, as all War of 1812 figures are photographed.

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  4. David they look very good. I was intrigued what sort of figures this company produced and they look very good.

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    1. Thanks Robbie! They took a while mind. When the infantry arrive I’ll push them to the head of the queue.

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  5. Nice work David the sculpts don’t look too bad to me and I am sure they will fight well ?

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    1. They have good features and then rougher work. They do take the paint well though. As to fighting well...who can say!

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  6. Very nice, they have very jaunty hats! Makes them unique 👍

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    1. Thanks Russ! How did those hats stay on though?

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    2. That's a very good point 😊

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  7. They have turned out rather well...
    I quite like the Knuckleduster figures... they are rather characterful.

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thank you Aly, much appreciated. I would have preferred your Foundry figures, but costs....

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  8. They look more than fine, and quite unusual dress!

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