With the recent publication of Paul Koch's and Roger Wells' "Mach Paris" rules, the Franco-Prussian War is turning into an up and coming battlegaming period. But so far the period has suffered from a shortage of figures. This summer in London I was lucky enough to stumble upon an excellent range of FPM figures by Pioneer Miniatures, an English company which should satisfy your taste for the period until the announced release late in 1986 of FPM ranges by Minifigs and Freikorps 15. Although Pioneers' figures come in fairly standard poses, the detail is superb and some figures are exceptional. For example, where else can your find horse figures of different genders? In London I purchased two prepackaged armies, one Prussian and one French, in special plastic carrying cases. Each set contained 120 infantry and two mounted staff officers. The Prussian army has 16 cavalry and four guns and crew while the French has 18 cavalry and three guns (two Napoleons and one mitrailleuse). A boxed 1866 Austrian army was also available. At 18.50 pounds each, these sets were an exceptional bargain. FRANCE F1 Line infantry: Advancing in full pack, kepi & greatcoat, rifle held across chest. F2 Line officer: advancing, sword upraised. F3 Line drummer: advancing, kepi strap under chin. F5 Chasseur a Pied: advancing, rifle across chest, a bit two-dimensional. F9 Zouave Infantry: Perhaps the finest figure of the series and an asset to any army. This bearded zouave stands jauntily, rifle lowered to receive the Hun, dressed in a fez with prominent tassle, vest, baggy pantaloons and a pack piled high with gear. F13 Garde Mobile: Another well sculpted figure, standing to receive with the characteristic scarf around his neck. F17 Fusilier Marine: A unique figure for your army. This bearded sailor in distinctive bonnet with pom pom and leather vest advances with his rifle sloping toward the ground. F21 Imperial Guard Infantry: Not available for review FC1 Cuirassier Cavalry: Sabre drawn and resting on shoulder, in cuirass and helmet. The legs could be longer and the overalls baggier.  FC5 Chasseur D'Afrique: Not available for review. FH1 Heavy Cavalry Horse: A walking gelding in square shabraque, saddlebags and blanket roll. Piquet pegs tied to the greatcoat roll are a nice touch. FH2 Light cavalry horses Not available FA1 Milrailleuse Gun: A serviceable gun, although the gun and chassis fit together with difficulty. FA3 Milrailleuse crewman (L): loading, greatcoat rolled over left shoulder. Arms of this figure and it's companion seem a bit too long for their torsos. FA4 Mitrailleuse Crewman (F): Firing, as above. FA5 4 pdr Napoleon Gun: Well cast, but small for the gunner figures. FA6 Field artillery officer: A sturdy figure with moustache, holding binoculars. FA7 Field Artillery Crewman (Sponge): A nice figure, with greatcoat in a sausage roll over left shoulder, kepi strap under chin and rifle slung over other shoulder. Sponge is molded separately. FA8 Field Artillery Crewman: As above, arms forward. F51 Marshall MacMahon: A superb equestrian figure, the rider half turned, left hand resting on his horse's rump. MacMahon wears a dashing imperial and a heavily laced tunic. There is also a striking officer figure which was included with the Zouaves in my French army. He is striding forward, sword held at knee level, point forward. A broad sash is wrapped around his waist and worn under a long coat with heavy lacing twisting up the sleeve. Unfortunately this figure, replete in prominent imperial, does not seem to be listed on Pioneer's order list. PRUSSIA (Unless otherwise noted, all figures in spiked helmet) P1 Line infantry: In full pack, rifle held across chest. P1A Line infantry (Feldmutze): net available for review P2 Line Officer: Advancing with greatcoat rolled ever left shoulder. P3 Line Drummer: Advancing, greatcoat rolled. P5 Jager Infantry: A well detailed figure advancing in shako, rifle held across chest. P6 Jager officer: A very 3-dimensional figure, the officer strides forward in shako, the lower corners of his tunic blowing back, his sword held at knee level, point thrust forward. Nice. PC1 Kuirassier Cavalry: Nicely detailed, sturdy, figure with sword resting on shoulder. PC5 Uhland Cavalry: Not available for review. PH1 Heavy Cavalry Horse (German Equipment): A walking mare with swaure shabraque. PH2 Light Cavalry Horse (Hungarian Equipment): Not available. PA1 Krupp Gun: This piece is poorly molded and like the Napoleon, it seems small for it's crew. PA3 Field Artillery Officer: A little flat. Wearing a knobbed helmet, left hand shielding eyes, right hand on belt. PA4 Field Artillery Crewman (Shell): Kneeling, cradling shell at the ready. A different arty figure. Dressed in knobbed helmet and suspenders. PA5 Field Artillery Crewman: Kneeling, as above but without shell. P51 Field Marshall Von Moltke: Another fine equestrian figure, and every inch the stern Prussian! In soft cap and long topcoat, holding binoculars. BV1 Bavarian Line Infantry: Advancing in crested helmet and full pack w/bayonet lowered. BV2. Bavarian Line Officer: Walking, crested helmet, sword held across chest. BV3 Bavarian Line Drummer: Advancing, crested helmet. With the except of the Fusilier Marine figure, all reviewed figures came with the boxed armies. In addition to Bavarians, three Wurttemburg foot figures are also available. As good as it is, this line has a few drawbacks; standardbearers, cavalry command figures and medium cavalry, are not yet available. That aside, the available figures are of good quality and a super buy. Infantry, cavalry and horse sell for 10 pence each while artillery and general staff figures are 40 pence. Overseas postage is 30% surface (minimum 1.00 pound) and 50% airmail (minimum 2 pounds); send a selfaddressed envelope for lists and sample figure to Pioneer Minatures, 15 Mount Pleasant, Brierly Hill, West Midlands, DY5 2YY. England. Back to MWAN # 20 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1986 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com