The last time I saw the Connoisseur range of figures was in 1993 at the now defunct CoastCon in Biloxi, MS. I played a Napoleonic Peninsular game with Chris Gilder using, of course, In The Grand Manner. A simple, fun and fast game...just the way I like it.
Overall the figures are well cast with a minimum of flashing or mould lines. Appears to be cast in pewter, for those to which it matters. The detailing level is good and crisp. The true height is 30mm as measured from the base to the eyes. 35mm to the top of the helmet. These figures are slightly slimmer than my other 25mms from Redoubt, Foundry, Gripping Beast and Old Glory. The uniforms appear, from my uniform books, to be based upon the Sudan Campaign.
Here is a look at the packages I received: COL11 Sikh infantry firing. This is a pack of 20 figures with half firing and half at the ready w/an officer. Perfect for a platoon using The Sword and The Flame. Each figure is bearded w/rifle at fixed bayonet and in a formal parade ground stance. I do not understand the fixation for firing figures to have fixed bayonet. All it does is throw off the rifleman's aim. But I guess it looks good for Hollywood.
COL10 Egyptian infantry firing 20 figures. All are advancing at port-arms with fixed bayonets. NO PACKS!! YES! Infantry never willing went into combat loaded down. All in step w/left foot forward wearing the fez. Officer is at order arms. COL 6 Naval Brigade advancing 20 figures. A motley looking bunch, but aren't sailors supposed to be!?. Seamen have slouch hats, turned up caps, clean shaven, facial hair. At the end of their rifle is a manly mans weapon - the cutlass bayonet. Again all left foot forward in a variety of dress. The officer is correctly dressed in regulation uniform, standing as though he does not have a care in the world.
COL 5 British Infantry firing. 20 figures All firing but half are kneeling. Looks like the traditional volley fire. Dressed in the 1884-85 Indian Dress uniform, tunics with no cuffs or turnbacks with leggings. Again no packs and no bloody bayonets. At least the British got it right. The officer has Sudan Egypt Dress for his warbelt, double pouches. Empty handed directing fire.
COL1 British Infantry marching. 20 figure pack. All at left shoulder arms, dressed in the Egyptian uniform with a light marching kit(bedroll and small butt pack).All in step and officer is dressed as his men with his hand on sword hilt. Looking at the faces appears that all the men are singing a marching song...probably vulgar and politically incorrect.
COL4 Highland Infantry 20 figures. This is a firing line at independent fire. Dressed in Egyptian uniform with kilt. The men are in various positions of firing, loading and present to fire. Some with bayonets and some without. Includes officer stoically standing with hand on hilt, a bugler and the ever present piper. My favorite pack.
COL17 British Cavalry- Lancers ala Errol Flynn. 6 figure pack. Includes officer, bugler and 4 troopers. Dressed in the Indian uniform, no cuff/trim. Great detail. Lances not supplied. Wonder why the British firms do that? I was able to position the lance across the chest as it would be carried. Not upright and allowing the wind to catch it. Officer has drawn sword in right hand with arm upright as if giving the prep command to charge. The horses are in different poses and leg positions and not even the same size.
COL21 Bengal Lancers 6 pack. Obviously the Indian Uniform and all the same pose. Lance in right hand. No bugler. One officer with empty right hand raised over head. This unit is at the gallop and each horse is as describe before. Excellent figures.
COL30 Royal Artillery 2 guns w/8 crew. Crew is serving gun and in various stages of undress. Officer is in proper attire. The men are in dress and undress down to shirtsleeve gunners. A business looking group and well animated.
EG1 Naval Brigade gun. 1 gun and 3 figures. This, from my sources, appears to be the Gardner machine gun, wheel mounted as normal artillery. Includes an ammo box. Crew is in the act of laying the gun for firing. One has a handspike, another turning a wheel. The pack requires assembly.
HC6 Pack camel w/handler camel is loaded down w/supplies guided by a grungy looking native. The man is slightly shorter at 28mm.
CC 2 & 3 Mounted officer and bugler. Will be used for company level commander. Dressed in a mix of the two uniform styles. Horses as before.
CC14 Mounted Colonels 3 figures. Dressed in Egyptian uniform. Perfect for Field Grade officers detached from the fighting. They are watching and reading/writing dispatches.
CC32 & 34 Staff Officers. One is firing a pistol w/right hand and is leaning into the shot. Hand is extended and the figure is turned to present a small target to his enemy. The other officer is reading a dispatch with hand on hip in Indian Uniform. Bearing of "His lordship can not be bothered at tea about silly savages".
PE 23 & 26 General Graham and Kitchner. Graham is dressed is service uniform for early 1880's on a standing horse. Figure is quarter turned to the left as to be looking of in the distance. Very stately looking. Kitchner is in full dress w/plumes and medals Slightly hunched over looking up to the left. Hands on the saddle in front of figure. Mouth slightly open as if making a statement.
CC33 Female civilian. Victorian Bress with umbrella. I call her Ms Heneritta Hamilton-Boyne-Smith. Very stern looking lady with purse and Mary Poppins type hat. Kind of reminds me of Ms Evans my 3rd grade teacher. She could put a drill instructor to shame.
These figures are good figures and reasonably priced. They will make up the backbone of my British Colonial Army. The only thing I do not like is the cookie cutter look of some of the units. All one or two poses. But I can overlook this if I remember my Colour Sgt. Boynes' saying," English by God and will be properly turned out!" I did clean that up a bit. The colour Sgt. tended to forget he was addressing US Marine Officer candidates on the finer points of turning out in proper uniform.
I obtained my figures from J&T Miniatures HC83 Box 15 Pequot Lakes MN 56472. Very highly recommended.
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© Copyright 2000 Hal Thinglum
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