25mm American Wild West

Pass of the North, Stone Mountain Miniatures, Britannia

by Bob Beattie

There has been a public resurgence of interest in the American Far- west Frontier. The movie The Unforgiven, the wonderful Lonesome Dove TV movie and and other recent TV series dealing with the frontier may have sparked such interest. To satisfy gamers who want to play out their wild west fantasy three companies have released figures for this episode. Among these three, gamers should find something to suite their needs. There is a vast array of personalities and poses available in various 25mm sizes

PASS OF THE NORTH

Pass of the North has been producing American west figures designed by Renee Perez for sometime now. Their Mexican range is extensive and beautiful. Last year they released the Seven gunfighters who can defend Mexican peasants against bandits and the bandits and peasants, too.

Now they continue the series with personality figures, both historical and Hollywood. There are variants of the Seven, plus a couple of old ex-ranger captains (one with a Henry rifle, the other firing a pistol), their scout (in Kepi, firing a rifle) and their nemesis, a commancharo with raised rifle and knife. From the Reel West comes the miniature with no name in poncho, with a cigar stub, firing a pistol and a U.S. Marshal with an eye patch holding pistol and rifle. Billy the Kid is available in a mounted and foot combo pack and Wild Bill Hickok comes with long hair and long coat firing two pistols. Captain Lucky of the Rangers is interesting - eye patch, hook and pegleg. To round out the series to date are two generic shootists in dusters one firing a rifle and, my personal favorite, with shotgun at the hip. I stocked up on all these at HISTORICON. In the pipeline Ladies of the West. These figures and sets are cast in pewter and range in price from $1.50 to $2.00. All are well formed, no flash, wonderful details, a joy to paint. 24M on the Barrett Scale. Send $1.00 and a sase for a catalog. Pass of the North Wargames 1060 Esplanada El Paso TX 79932 .

STONE MOUNTAIN MINIATURES

Stone Mountain Miniatures have released a new series - The Wild West in 25mm. The figures, designed by Chris Ferree, come in packs of 4 for $5.95. There is a pack of screen heroes plus two with historical Q) figures Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Pat Garrett, Doc Holiday, Billy the Kid, etc. Two packs of great private citizens will help round out any western town with saloon ladies, a gambler, bar keep, town drunk, etc. The 8 packs are rounded out with some South of the Border characters, generic gunfighters, bank robbers (the James' and the Youngers) and cowboys.

The action figures are excellent but I really like all of the civilian characters who can be used for many other settings than just the wild west. All are a bit stockier than the Pass of the North but fit in well with them. The sculpting is good with interesting personalities showing in each figure. I bought a bunch of these at COLDWARS. I would give them a 25M+ on the Barrett Scale. Catalog is $4.00 (covers many ranges). P.S. 25mm western buildings coming soon. Stone Mountain Miniatures Dept CRP.O. Box 594 Bloomfield, CO 80038.

BRITANNIA

The third new range is made by Britannia and available in the U.S. from Elite Miniatures. Britannia has been expanding into the American west with Custer and Poncho Villa episode figures. Now they have released some well-designed and energetic looking gunfighters. Note that these characters are a good head taller than the above two ranges. They are even a bit bigger than the fine Dixon western range but will fit with them better. I have a sample with the best looking shaggy chaps I've ever seen on a figure and another with a wonderful top hat in a long coat, firing a shotgun from the hip. Shades of Ward Bond in the Searchers.

If you like your figures on the large side, get your hands on these. These are 29L on the Barrett Scale. Send $5.00 for samples. Elite Miniatures 2625 Forest Glen Trail River Woods, IL 60015

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