Elite Miniatures offers an extensive line of 25mm, 18th Century artillery pieces. A French 12-pounder of the Valliere system,1732-1776, from this line was received for review. The Valliere system only standardized French gun and mortar tubes. Carriages and other artillery rolling stock were not standardized until the Gribeauval system ca. 1774. The 12-pounder gun tube under review appears to be in accurate proportion, i.e 23 caliber in length. All of Valliere's required gun tube decorations are present: the rooster head on the casabel and breech face (each caliber had adifferent design to aid in recognition), the dolphins actually sculptured as dolphins, and the low relief sculptures on the tube from muzzle to breech. In addition, a section of the cap square is cast on the trunnions.

The gun carriage is also well executed, and in proportion to the tube. The carriage has a little flash on the axle between the cheeks and on the trails. Also, one of the trunnion notches is off slightly resulting in the tube not laying true on the carriage. These are not major problems and can be corrected easily and quickly with a file. Overall, this model is a real gem. In addition to guns of the Valliere system, the range includes Prussian, Austrian, French Gribeauval, Russian and British guns. If these guns have the same attention to detail as the one reviewed, then they are the models with which to equip your 25mm 18th Century ammies. Each artillery piece goes for $5.50, and is available from H.G. Walls at the Griffon, 121 W. Colfax St., South Bend, IN 46601. A $1.00 brings a complete catalog. - DAN SCHORR.