A couple years ago, I saw Pass of the North's first 15mm Ancients -- heavily-muscled Gauls in a variety of poses. I was quite impressed and looked forward to more releases from them. I did not expect it to take so long, but I've finally seen a new batch -- Marian Romans, Spanish and Gallic infantry. Darryl Smith obtained a bag of samples and passed them along to me with their flyer for review.

The figures are every bit as excellent as their first Gauls were. They are well-proportioned, standing 16mm tall at eye level, with rich but not overblown detail. Most packs are $9.60 for 24 infantry or 9 cavalry and come in a variety of poses or head styles -- apparently with more being sculpted and added to the packs all the time. Spear-armed figures come with separate weapons. The same is true of most shielded figures, which like many 25mm lines, are molded with a raised peg on the hand or arm which fits into a hole on the inside of the detached shield.

ANC 106 Baleric Slinger. Whirling his sling at head height, this unshielded guy is the odd man out, at first glance. His tunic has little detail, but upon closer look the head makes up for it with its distinctive hairstyle. Eight, cord-like weaves of hair are pulled back into a bun at his nape. A pouch is slung over his shoulder for his stones, the one he is in the process of hurling being clearly visible.

ANC 107 Spanish Auxilia (two poses). An armored and unarmored figure were sent, being vastly different from each other in equipment. The armored man is a gem, poised to strike overarm with a falcata (a distinctive sword with downward bent blade). He wears a thick quilted or padded armor that hangs to his sleeves and thighs. The diamond-patterned cuts in the cloth are deep, which should make dry brushing a snap. It is the detail on the head which makes this pose the best of the bunch. Two braided strands of hair fall to frame his face, while the rest flows freely down to his back. Meanwhile, the unarmored pose wears a long, crested leather helmet, the back part of which covers his neck completely. He wears tunic and cloak. His right arm is held level at head height to take a spear, while his left rests at his belt, shield peg in the middle of the arm.

ANC 108 Spanish Light Infantry. Only one of the advertised three poses was received. He wears a tunic and the distinctive round, helmet-like Spanish cap. His round shield is cast on, while his arm is raised near his head to accept a javelin. The nicest touch is the distinctive, Spanish-style sword slung from his shoulder. This pose is not as richly detailed as the above Auxilia. The tunic, for example, is without any folds or creases.

ANC 109 Marian Legionaries - Montefortino Helmet. I received only one of the advertised five poses, but it was well done. The detail on the chainmail is fine, with the tunic underneath cutting a clear line at the hem. The sandals are deeply raised with detail, also, so you should be able to dry brush leather over flesh easily. The face is crisply done, with visible eyes, ears and mouth. The detached pilum is a beaut, as well, with bolts clearly projecting from the weighted center. A fine legionary, capable of holding off Gallic warbands with ease.

ANC 100 Armored Gauls , two poses. These are clearly Gauls -- from their thick moustaches to their trousers, everything screams Celt. Perhaps they are a chieftain pack not listed on my flyer. Their chainmail is nicely detailed like the legionary's. The helmet on the first is superb -- a tusked boar crest atop a simple bowl-type helm. The other's helmet sprouts a tall, fan-like crest. Both have raised arms to accept spears, with their shield arms tucked in at waist level. Another amazing detail is the hilts of the swords strapped beneath their right arms. The split, human-figure type illustrated in the Osprey booklets is readily identifiable. Excellent armored Gauls.

I highly recommend these figures. They would mix well with medium size and heft figures like Essex, for example. Contact Jeff Caruso, Pass of the North, Jeff Caruso, 3449 W.Ford Place, Denver, Co. 80219, or e-mail: thepass@flash.net.

Lorraine 1944: Patton vs. Manteufel (Osprey book)