Dixon

15mm Marlburians

by Mitch Allen

Recently, the Marlburian era has come in for increasing attention among figure designers and manufacturers. Dixon Miniatures, being sold by Wargames at Box 278, Route 40, East Triadelphia, WV 26059, has joined this trend with a small but superbly detailed range of 15mm infantry. Included in this range are musketeers, grenadiers, and various cadre types in a variety of poses.

The figures themselves are generic, that is, they represent no specific nationality. This might seem at first to be a negative point; it is far less a detriment in this particular era than it is in most others, as the majority of Marlburian troops resembled one another fairly closely. Musketeers are available in marching, shouldered-musket, firing, and 'at-the-ready' poses; Grenadiers in firing and at-the-ready, and command figures in a variety of normal positions. All are well cast with little or no flash, and are positioned so as to render painting easy.

The figures are heavier looking than some, but are well proportioned although the legs are a tad thick on one or two types. Nonetheless, the overall effect is quite well done. This is one of the few Marlburian figures I've seen that manages to replicate the large tailless coat in almost universal usage without turning out an infantryman that looks like a bear. other nice details include the relief work done on the buttons,the lack of fixed bayonets (which didn't come until somewhat later), the cropped hair on the soldiers and the wigs on the officers, and best of all, the folding of the hat. This last point is often overlooked, but the tricorne of this era was not as 'crisp' as in the SYW, nor was the point always worn to the front. These figures include those finer points.

Although the line is small, it should be quite useful to anyone interested in the era. in addition, most of the figures can be used for French troops into the Seven Years War, so people interested in that period are advised to take a look as - well. As a couple of final notes, this range includes a standard bearer with a separate standard. The figure has an open, cupped hand which could also be used to hold a pike. Lastly, potential buyers should beware of the line drawings which could possibly accompany the Dixon ads -- they simply do not do the figures justice.

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