Matchlock Miniature

15mm Samurai

review by David Barnes
edited by Kenn Hart

Matchlock's Samurai are like all their other products, well researched and well modelled. I have to say that the weaponry is in scale and so a little fragile, though sensibly the packers leave on supporting sprue to support the fine bits. Even so, one sample arrived without his katana blade. To replace this, drill the hands and put in an ordinary dress-maker's pin. Before insertion, beat the pin flat and cut off the round head. The addition of a little "superglue" to the drillod hole helps. [Once David told me of those figures I phoned David Ryan and he sent me a list and some samples. He will do the same for any SWA member]. The details are taken straight from the lists but David's descriptions are more accurate.]

SAM9 - Foot Samurai with Nagamaki C13th. Sohei or warrior monk wielding a naginata (like a sword with a long handle or sword-bladed spear). He is hooded, in long robes, and has a katana at his side.

SA10 - Ashigaru with nagamaki C13th. Teawisked tonsured samurai with head band; probably he could be a ronin or ashigaru. Bare-legged, he wields a naginata and wears O- Yori breast and back.

SAM11 - Armored infantryman, rope and book. A similar armored figure with a kumade (a long pole with a hook at the end) over his shoulder, ready to pull mounted men fron their horses. A good illustration of one in use is on page 144 in Stephen Turnbull's The Samurai: A Military History published by Osprey.

SAM12 - Armored Infantrynan C13th. Figure wears O-Yori armor and stands astride holding his katana in the "wringing grip." Also carries a shorter sword in his sash.

SAM13 - Infantry Command (officer, standard, Samurai, 2 each). There are two officers: one in a fully armored samurai holding his katana above his sholder: the other is either ronin or ashigaru, bearded, and wearing O-Yori. A bearded standard-bearer wears O-Yori with no shoulder boards but has shin defenses. The last figure is armored on his front only and wears a metal face protector.

SAM16 - Ashigaru Archer. An asymetric bow wielder without headband; guiver on his back and katana at his side.

Cavalry was due out in November. Horse 4 per pack; Foot 8 per pack.

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