The following is a compilation of Napoleonic troop type figures that are quite suitable for gaming use in the War of 1812, with minimum modification (if needed at all, beyond the right colored uniform.)
Americans
From the American War of Independence range, the American Rifleman (15131006), by Minifigs makes a perfect western militia, as well as a Virginia rifleman. By cutting off the plume on the side of the hat, it is also a perfect New York Volunteer Rifleman, and may also be used as representative of the US Rangers that were utilized in the Old Northwest Territories.
There are a number of other Minifigs that are also very usable with little or no modification. NY Governors’ Guard Battalion infantry are accurately recreated by using 15012001, Prussian Line Infantry, Adv in parade dress. The fusilier (center) companies of the elite 1st (Boston) Massachusetts Regiment can be replicated by using the flank company figures from 15010004, French Legere Advancing, and the grenadier company of the same regiment may be acquired by using 15010009 Old Guard Chasseurs Advancing.
The New Orleans Volunteer Battalion is also mostly creatable the same way: the grenadier and carabinier companies may be achieved by using 15010006 Old Guard Grenadiers Advancing, the two center companies by using the center company figures from 15010004 French Legere Advancing, the foot dragoon company by using 15010012 Dismounted Dragoons Advancing, the chasseur company by using the flank company figures from 15010004 French Legere Advancing, and the rifle company (Beale’s) by using 15131006 American Rifleman.
Massachusetts artillery companies such as the Roxbury Guard and the Boston Company of Artillery may be replicated by using 15014036, Austrian Artillery Crews in Bicornes, 1803.
These manufacturers can all be reached through their websites, and do internet, phone, and surface mail orders:
Minifigs Website - http://www.minifigs.com
Falcon Figures, c/o The Quartermaster - www.thequartermaster.com/
Frontier Miniatures -http://members.tripod.com/~wargame51/wargame.htm
More Recruiting Your War of 1812 Armies
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© Copyright 2001 by Rich Barbuto.
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