After many years of gaming primarily with 15mm figures, I decided to give 25mm a try with the War of 1812. I'd been slowly building the British forces for the 1814 Niagara campaign using figures from Old Glory's Napoleonic line, so when they released their long awaited 1812 range, I simply couldn't resist purchasing a few packs of Americans.

WAA-6 American Infantry, Summer Field Dress/Leather Shako.

I acquired these figures to represent Brigadier General Winfield Scott's famous, gray-coated regulars, which fought at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane during July, 1814. The pack I received contained 30 figures, consisting of 8 command figures and 22 privates. The 8 command figures consist of 2 each of an officer, color sergeant, drummer, and NCO. The figures are advancing, with the 22 privates cast in the classic march attack pose. Variation is provided with these 22 figures composed of a mix of five different poses each with subtle yet distinct variations in head, limb, and musket positions.

The men wear a short, single-breasted coatee with plain cuffs and no lace, and loose-fitting trousers. The leather "Belgic" shako is well rendered, with cords, plume, and the small 1814-pattern shako plate. Equipment includes the standard canvas knapsack, wooden "barrel" canteen, haversack and cartridge box, all carried in regulation fashion and supported by standard belts and straps. Muskets are nicely detailed, and are carried with bayonets fixed. The officer figure is cast with his sword in his right hand, pointed at the enemy, while his left arm is raised as if exhorting his men. He wears an officer's coat with lace on the chest and cuffs, and a single epaulet on the right shoulder. He has a blanket roll slung around his left shoulder (a nice touch) and a sash around his waist. Fancy, tasseled boots complete his ensemble. The color sergeant and NCO both wear the same plain coatee as the privates, with the addition of epaulets and sash. The color sergeant carries a canteen, haversack and sword. The NCO carries full infantry equipment, and is pointing forward with his left hand. The drummer boy is of noticeably smaller stature than the other figures, and carries a knapsack, canteen, haversack and sword, as well as his drum. Each of the four pair of command figures is cast with heads in different positions, effectively making 13 distinctly different castings in the pack. Even though there is very nice mix of poses, all of the figures are in step, with the right foot forward. This should result in a very natural looking, yet very well drilled regiment on the tabletop.

WAA-8 American Command, Leather Shako

I ordered these figures because I didn't know that WAA-6 above included command figures, but I am so pleased with them that I plan to mix the two packs together. This pack contained 15 figures, consisting of 4 officers, 4 color sergeants, 4 drummers, 2 NCOs and 1 pioneer. There are 2 poses each for the officers, color sergeants and drummers. The first officer is actually the same figure as the one included in WAA-6 above, with the exception that he holds his shako in his raised left hand. This modification makes for a very heroic looking figure. The other officer is a bit more sedate, as he rests his sword on his right shoulder. He wears the same uniform with a blanket roll over his right shoulder.

The color sergeants, NCOs and drummers are quite similar to the ones included in WAA-6, with the only uniform difference being the addition of lace on the collars and buttons on the cuffs. The pioneer is the nicest figure in the pack. His appearance is consistent with several well-known illustrations of the 25th Infantry Regiment's pioneers in 1814. He wears the same basic uniform as the rest of the regular rank and file, with the addition of an apron, axe, and a saw carried in a leather case on his back.

WAA-11 American Militia

This pack contained 31 figures, including 6 command figures. The 25 militiamen are composed of five different body styles with a mix of different heads and hats. The men are wearing a variety of civilian clothing, plus haversacks and cartridge boxes. None of the men carry knapsacks or blanket rolls. Three of the poses are wearing a short double-breasted civilian coat with tails, while the others wear loose shirts with no fringe. Some of the figures carry wooden canteens while others carry flask-style canteens. All of the figures have fixed bayonets, while only some of them carry bayonet scabbards.

The figures are cast with different heads and a mixture of headgear, including round hats, top hats, straw hats, and round hats with the right brim turned up. The 6 command figures consist of 2 each officer, flag bearer, and drummer. The officer is wearing military style dress, with bicorn hat and military coat with lapels and turnbacks. He wears a sash and boots, and is cast with his sword drawn. The flag bearer and drummer wear civilian clothing. The flag bearer wears no equipment, while the drummer carries a canteen, haversack and sword.

Based on these three packs, I am quite pleased with Old Glory's new 1812 line. The figures are of high quality, cleanly cast, with almost no flash or mold lines. Facial expressions are very nicely sculpted, and equipment and uniforms are accurately modeled with good attention to detail. The figures stand about 26mm from feet to eyes, and about 35mm from feet to the top of the shako. The figures are a bit shorter and a bit thicker than Old Glory's Napoleonic British figures, but the difference is not so great as to make the two lines incompatible. In particular, the legs of the 1812 Americans are quite thick, which should make for a much stronger gaming piece that won't bend at the ankles. However, this makes the trousers look a bit looser than perhaps they should.

Also, in contrast with Old Glory's British (which have cast flagpoles), the American color bearers all require a little drilling of one hand to accommodate a wire flagpole (which were not included).

Grade: A-

Britannia 20mm Vietnam Figures