Lamming is one of the lesser known manufacturers (in THIS country- ED.). Though they offer an extensive range of figures in many periods, they are not as well known in this country as Hinchcliffe and Miniature Figurines. Their catalog calls this range, "The first of a new line of Landsknecht." This is borne out by this fact that the first list I received did not have the three mounted figures listed.
The most interesting feature of these figures is that the wargamer is offered a variety of heads and weapons to choose from, allowing some very distinctive and individual units to be created. As Jim Worrier pointed out in his review of the "Lammy" Ancient Range, the fact that the figures need to be assembled may turn off the new gamer, but the finished product makes the effort well worth it.
The figures are larger than the advertised 25mm. They are actually the same size as Hinchcliffe and Scruby figures, i.e. 28mm. Therefore, they are perfectly compatible with either of these. At present, the limited nature of the range makes it more suitable for units or contingents in an existing army, though the promised expansion will hopefully remedy that. Once assembled, the figures paint up quite nicely, though the intricate costume of the Landsknecht may prove difficult for the novice painter who has not yet mastered the techniques of shading or fine detailing. The castings were essentially flash free and of good quality being essentially ready to prime and paint.
My only complaint with the present line is, the posing of the cavalry. The three figures presently offered a cuirassier, a reiter and a gendarme, are all at rest or standing/walking horses. Other than that, however, the figures are very impressive.
I received one of each of the figures in the line and I have indicated next to each the approximate time period they could be used for:
- L/1 Captain, advancing, armored, early-late 16th c.
L/2 Doppersoldner, advancing, armored, early-late 16th c.
L/3 Doppelsoldner, lunging, armored, 16th, early 17th c.
L/4 Pluderhose, running, armored, early-late 16th c.
L/5 Standing, pike upright, early-late 16th c.
L/6 Ensign or Pikeman, early-late 16th c.
L/7 Crouching Pikeman, 16th, early 17th c.
L/8 Arquebusier, early-late 16th c. (1570)
L/9 Crossbowman, late I 5th-early 16th c. (1525)
L/10 Armored, Walking, late 1 5th, early 16th c. (1525)
LC/1 Reiter, armored 3/4, late 16th-1-7th c.-I excellent for 30 Years War
LC/2 Cuirassier, 3/4, armored, late 16th-17th c., excellent for 30 Years War
LC/3 Gendarme, Heavy Knight, early-late 16th c. (1570)
Facial detail on the available heads is very good and a very fine finished product is possible. The figure running in pluderhose is especially nice.
Rating the figures, using the established system, would go as follows:
| Figure | Anatomy | Animation | Detail | Paintability | Casting | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L/1 | .6 | .6 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 3.7 |
| L/2 | .7 | .7 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 3.9 |
| L/3 | .8 | .8 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 4.0 |
| L/4 | .8 | .8 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 4.1 |
| L/5 | .8 | .6 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 3.9 |
| L/6 | .8 | .6 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 3.9 |
| L/7 | .6 | .7 | .8 | .7 | .9 | 3.7 |
| L/8 | .7 | .6 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 3.8 |
| L/9 | .7 | .6 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 3.8 |
| L/10 | .8 | .5 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 3.8 |
| LC/1 | .8 | .5 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 3.8 |
| LC/2 | .8 | .5 | .8 | .8 | .9 | 3.8 |
| LC/3 | .8 | .5 | .7 | .8 | .9 | 3.7 |
Overall, I would recommend these figures to anyone currently gaming in the Renaissance and using the larger Hinchcliffe and Scruby figures. To the gamer just getting involved in the period, I could suggest purchasing a few samples to determine whether or not the assembly required presents too great a time commitment.
Presently Lamming figures are not available in shops but can be mail- ordered from two sources, the manufacturer; Lamming Miniatures, 254 Wincolmlee. Hull, Yorkshire, HU2 OPZ, England, Or from Soldier World USA, P.O. Box 175C, Shrewsbury, PA 17361.
More Reviews
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Lamming Miniatures Landsknecht Range 25mm
Ral Partha Condotierre Range 25mm
NavTac WWII Naval Miniatures Rules
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