Product Listing for
French and Indian Wars 1754-1766

Historical Military Miniatures

by Bill Protz

The purpose of this article is to itemize hopefully most of the manufacturers of historical miniatures and other products available for the F&I Wars with occasional commentary for the wargames consumer. There is a lot from which to choose and more is on the drawing boards. This is highly gratifying and the many artisans, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers who service the lines to be mentioned deserve our genuine appreciation for their considerable effort and investment. On behalf of all F&I Wars enthusiasts around the world, please let me thank all of you for your needed vision. Also, special thanks are in order for Joe Gepfert who assisted in the compilation of this article.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. In the event. I neglect to mention some manufacturers, I ask that they kindly contact me through THE COURIER immediately so this article can be updated in a later issue.

2. It is not a purpose of this articleto critique any of the products to be mentioned. The writer believes this is best done by the consumer consumer because what one wargamer finds pieasing will be the opposite for others. It is suggested that consumers send and pay for sample miniatures first before plunging into a large order.

3. I will occasionally refer to the Seven Years' War 1756-1763. The French and Indian War (F&I War) was that part of this global war which occurred in North America between 1754-1763. Most products to be mentioned will also be serviceable for King George's War 17441748 and Pontiac's War 1763-1766.

4. This article was prepared in August 1988.

5. Check your most current wargame hobby magazines for possible changed addresses and/or changed business status. Things do hot stay the same!

6. Consult your favorite retailers for many of the products to be shown.

30MM SCALE

The 30mm miniature market is a small one by comparison with the other dominant scales. Yet given the small numbers of miniatures needed by most who wargame this period, the opportunity to purchase a brigade or two in this scale is economically possible. Plus, there is the fact that there are some wonderful Indians in this scale to add variety when mixed with what I will later call large scale 25mms. Surprisingly the cost is not prohibitive if one keeps to a brigade level type of wargame, but cost after all is relative to each of us.

THE SOLDIER FACTORY P.O. Box 1658, Cambria, CA 93428 USA. The American Revoluton series lists American infantrymen in hunting shirts suitable as F&I Wars back woodsmen. With Jack's passing there may initially be problems in getting these products, but his family has promised to keep the business going in the Scruby tradition.

SPENCER-SMITH MINIATURES Peter Johnstone, 88 Greencroft Gardens, London NW6 3JQ, United Kingdom. The Spencer Smith range for the American Revolution and the Seven Years' War offer a variety of inexpensive plastic figurines; infantry, Indians and artillery. To see these look up Charles Grant's book entitled, The War Game published early in the last decade.

TRADITION SCANDINAVIA, P.O. Box 21170, S-300, Stockholm, Sweden or DAVID A. CLAYTON, Authorized Agent for Tradition Scandinavia, 12212 Silk Oak Lane, Bayonet Point, FL 34667 USA. Ask for a listing of Edward Suren's Willie 30mm and for the 30mm Stadden Tradition range from both of the above. The Willie l8th Century range features varieties of French, British and Indians plus the American Revolution listing of American militia provides a good assortment of American colonials. The Stadden' range offers Seven Years' War British infantry plus American militia from the War of Independence offering. There is abundant variety here.

Volume VIII, Issue No. 1 of THE COURIER has photographs of some of the above castings on pages 5, 9, 10 and 15. Also see photographs in Volume VIII, Issue No. 2 on pages 5 and 17.

25MM LARGE SCALE

One of the characteristics of historical military miniatures is that all 25mms are not equal. I do not refer to quality of the casting nor to perfection of design for same is a highly personal matter. Rather, I refer to the fact that it is rare to find different makes of 25mms that look exactly as large or small as each other. Yet it is possible to make a tenuous generalization that there exists a large and small scale variety of 25mm miniatures. Castings from these two divisions can often be happily mixed together in an agreeable fashion if they are solely of one category or the other. But, rarely can a mixure occur, within a particular wargame unit that is, unless for example, one places a small scale 25mm drummer boy in a large scale 25mm unit.

Each wargamer will decide what is best for himself in terms of scale and I can only mention what I have done to please my eye with a goal for optimum possibilities. I have blended Indian and American militia types from 30mm and large 25mm ranges to enhance variety. In the few instances where height seemed to matter, the shorter miniatures were placed on 1/8" thick balsa bases while their taller and sometimes more well-fed compatriots were glued to 1/16" thick sturdy, bass wood. Otherwise, the regular units are each solely from one manufacturer though officers, etc., can be switched around to add variety on occasion. The variety that is possible is a great advantage to the wargamer and we are lucky for such a wonderful opportunity from the following establishments.

CAMPAIGN FIGURES 377 Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, South Humberside, DN32 9QP, United Kingdom, or STONE MOUNTAIN P.O. Box 594, Dept. M, Broomfield, CO 80020-0594 USA. Campaign manufactures a small number of Seven Years' War French and British infantry. Officers from Austrian and Russian ranges will make for an interesting variety in your officer corps.

FRONT RANK FIGURINES A.D. Brown, 11 Southbourne Gardens, Westcliffe-on-Sea, Essex SSO OAG, United Kingdom. Front Rank offers lots of Seven Years' War French and British infantrymen and artilierymen plus a cannon in a variety, of poses plus casualty figures. The French bearskin cavalrymen are suitable for the Corps de Cavallerie du Canada and the French bear skinned grenadiers make suitable dismounts. Yes, the French had a cavairy unit in Canada! Front Rank's Jacobite Rebellion range from the 1745 era provides an interesting alternative to that phase of the French and Indian Wars known as King George's War including Government Scottish forces properly dressed for the following decade as well.

HINCHLIFFE MODELS via SKYTREX Ltd. 28 Brook Street, Wymeswold, Loughborough, Loughborough, United Kingdom. The Seven Years' War range does not offer a French and British range, but officers from the Austrian German infantry can serve as American colonial officers without the need for conversion unless one has a very critical eye. However, the American War of Independence offering provides Indians plus American militia types in good variety. Plus there are a number of artillery pieces as well and the special X Range has additional American militia colonial types.

RSM,. Ltd. HISTORICAL MINIATURES 188 Woodland Avenue, Lexington, KY 40502, USA. RSM markets an extensive range of Seven Years' War, French and Indian War and American War of Independence miniatures suitable for the F&I Wars. There is a plentiful variety of every kind of infantryman, Indian and artilleryman plus artillery. In addition, RSM has a quality painting service so that purchasers of their miniatures can have their orders painted first. Two uniform guides are also available to assist the do-it yourselfer too.

25mm SMALL SCALE

AHKETON USA, R.D. 1 Box 125, Philadelphia, NY 13673, USA. This company has just entered the F&I Wars era with a broad assortment of militia and Indians.

FALCON MINIATURES P.O. Box 444, Medford, MA 02155, USA. There are plans to introduce French and British to the existing Seven Years' War range of Austrians, Prussians and Russians along with North American types such as provincials and Indians in 1989.

FRONTIER MINIATURES Atley Turney, 7343 Branding Iron, Canutillo, TX 79835 USA. The F&I range plus the American Revolutionary War range offer ample numbers of miniatures for North American wargaming of the mid l8th Century.

GARRISON The Seven Years' War range provides an assortment of French and British infantrymen and artillerymen. Ask your retailers for these.

IRON BRIGADE MILITARY MINIATURES P.O. Box 1705, Muskogee, OK 74401 USA. The American Revolutionary War Continentals range offers an assortment of American, militia types. Iron Brigade also manufactures many kinds of cannons for service in the field, afloat or inside forts.

MINIATURE FIGURINES Ltd. 1/5 Graham Road, Southampton S02 OAX, United Kingdom or MINIATURE FIGURINES Box P, Pine Plains, NY 12567 USA. The Seven Years' War and F&I ranges offer French and British infantry plus artillerymen in various poses. Artillery pieces are also available.. Additionally, the American War of Independence range provides varieties of American colonial militia and Indians. Sailors and ships cannons are also available.

RAFM COMPANY INC. 20 Parkill Road East, Cambridge, Ontario NlR 1 P2, Canada. Rafm Inc. markets a very broad range of F&I Wars miniatures. There are plentiful regulars, Indians, militia types, the Corps du Cavallerie du Canada and artillery for land, fortress and sea service.

THE SOLDIER FACTORY P.O. Box 1658, Cambria, CA 93428 USA. They market a range of Seven Years' War miniatures that is serviceable for the British and French. Additionally, the American Revolution series provides American militia types and Indians. (See comment under 30mm listing - ED.)

STONE MOUNTAIN MINIATURES P.O. Box 594, Dept. M, Broomfield, CO 80020-0594 USA. The American Revolution series offers a wide variety of cannons, Indians and American militia in numerous possible poses/ combinations suitable for the F&I Wars.

15mm SCALE

ESSEX MINIATURES Unit 1 Shannon Centre, Shannon Square, Thames Estuary Estate, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 OPE, United Kingdom or WARGAMES Box 278 Route 40 East, Triadelphia, WV 26059 USA. Seven Years' War miniatures are suitable for the F&I Wars.

FREI KORPS 15 Cameron Robinson, 25 Princetown Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 3TA, Northern Ireland, or ULSTER IMPORTS Greg Novak, Box 1748, Champaign, IL 61820 USA. The extensive Freikorps Seven Years' War and F&I War ranges provide abundant number sof miniature soldiers, equipment and artillery. There is also an American Revolutionary War series which no doubt has some cross-over miniatures too.

FRONTIER MINIATURES Atley Turney, 7343 Branding Iron, Canutillo, TX 79835 USA. Frontier offers range for the F&I War and the Seven Years' War plus there are cross-over miniatures that will suit your interest from the American Revolutionary War line as well.

GALLIA UK 11 North Street, Wisbech, Cambs., United Kingdom or THE ARMORY 4145 Amos Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215 USA. Under the Gallia label there is a Roger's Rangers range plus American frontiersmen and Indians.'

PETER LAING Minden Sutton St. Nicholas, Hereford HRl 38D, United Kingdom or SOLDIER WORLD USAP.O. Box 175, Shrewsbury, PA17361 USA. Miniatures are available for the Seven Years' War as well as the American War of Independence.

MINIATURE FIGURINES Ltd.l/5 Graham Road, Southampton S02 OAX United Kingdom or MINIATURE FIGURINES Box.P, Pine Plains, NY 12567 USA. Mini Figs markets Seven Years' War and F&I Wars miniatures.

9mm SCALE

THE SOLDIER FACTORY P.O. Box 1658, Cambria, CA 93428, USA. Jack Scruby's 9mm is also referred to as "N Gauge". There are miniatures specifically for the F&I War plus there are also miniatures available from a Seven Years' War and American Revolutionary War range. (See comment under 30mm listing - ED.)

6mm SCALE

IRREGULAR MINIATURES Ltd. Departmept MMA,4 Park Road, Norton, Malton North Yorkshire Y017 9EA, United Kingdom or IRREGULAR MINIATURES USA P.O. Box 5125, Wallen, M1 48090 USA. Irregular features Jacobite and Seven Years' War miniatures, some of which are serviceable in the F&I Wars.

WATERCRAFT

AHKETON USA R.D. 1 Box 125, Philadelphia, NY 13673 USA. Ahketon sells, two kinds of 25mm waterline canoes with crews and plans to market a large war canoe.

GREENFIELD HOBBY DISTRIBUTORS: Greenfield distributes three types of very sturdy resin 25mm waterline ships to retailers suitable for service on Lakes Ontario and Champlain and no doubt afloat on the larger Atlantic Ocean too. The three sizes available are of 4, 8 and l0 guns. Rigging instructions are 'enclosed. Ask your retailer for these. See page 5 of THE COURIER, Volume VIII, No. 2. How about some more? Greenfield also distributes 15mm scale warships as follows: mortar sloop plus 8,10,14 and 32 gunners.

LINDBERG: Lindberg is a plastic model manufacturer. Their familiar proucts are found in gerneral hobby shops. Al/79scale War of Independence Schooner from the Classic Replica Series has been re-released. Though smaller in scale but long enough for joing service with 25mm Greenfield ships, this vessel will make a grand addition to F&I Wars lake or near coastal warfare. It is not 4 waterline model.

McDONALD'S RESTAURANTS: Ask for coffee stirrers. They make great 25-30mm oars once the company logo is snapped off.

RAFM COMPANY INC. 20 Parkhill Road East, Cambridge, Ontario N1R lP2, Canada. RAFM sells two sizes of 25mm waterline birchbark canoes with a variety of paddlers. See page 5 of THE COURIER in Volume VIII, No. 2.

TOYS R US: During the summers of 1986 and 1987 and less so in 1988 this toy store chain sold 7' long yellow and blue plastic waterline tugboats for small children. However, once the superstructure is removed, the hull converts to a fine whaleboat for boating expeditions and amphibious operations especially when notched for McDonald's coffee stirrer oars! See page 5 of THE COURIER in Volume VIII, No. 2

MODEL TERRAIN AND STRUCTURES

BATTLEGROUND via CONNOISSEUR FIGURES USA Keith Leidy, 2625 Forest Glen Trail, Riverwoods, IL 60015 USA. Battleground featuers buildings, forts and terrain features in 25mm and 15mm scales.

GALLIA UK 11 North Street, Wisbech, Cambs. PE13 1 NP United Kingdom or THE ARMORY 4145 Amos Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215 USA. Gallia markets an extensive range of buildings and other terrain accessories in 25mm and 1 5mm scale to enhance tabletop appearance. Much is suitable for the F&I Wars for construction of frontier or New England settlements to possibly part of Quebec itself. Stockade sections are available.

GREENFIELD HOBBY DISTRIBUTORS: Greenfield distributes 25mm and 15mm stockade & log cabins. See your retailers.

HALES MODELS 43 Hawksclough, Birchgreen, Skelmersdale, Lancs., United Kingdom. 15mm stonecast l8th Century farmhouse, log cabin, barns and palisades.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THE SEVEN YEARS' WAR ASSOCIATION: The Newsletter begun in 1982 is currently in its fourth volume. It features news of Association activities, hobby news including new figure releases plus historical and wargame articles. For additional information write to The Seven Years' War Association, 5690 West Glenbrook Road, Brown Deer, WI 53223 USA.

Note: The Address and contact info to the 7YWAJ has changed--RL(2001):

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