Dixon

25mm American Civil War and Wild West

by David Barnes

Review of Dixon Miniatures 25mm ACW and Wild West new releases Available from Spring Grove Mills, Linthwaite, Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire, HD7 5QG and Wargames, Box 278, Route 40 East, Triadelphia, W.V. 26059, USA

I will start with the ACW figures. It's my opinion that these Dixon figures are yet more finely modeled than previously. They have been good for a long time but all were very "solid citizens." Now the delineation of features and general modeling of proportions has become more refined without taking away from the animation of the figures. Prices at the time of writing are foot/mounted 65p and horses 95p.

Infantry

ACW367 Frock coat - knapsack, advancing (Con). Pack on his back and other kit hung about him, bayoneted rifle-musket about 30' to the front.

ACW368 Frock coat - knapsack, ramming. Full pack and rolled gum blanket on top. Detail on the belt plate even!

ACW369 Frock coat - knapsack, opening cap pouch. Hammer on musket back, weapon held at the point of balance. Covered in kit, but body well modeled nonetheless.

ACW370 Frock coat, marching, right shoulder shift. Striding forward in battle order. Uphill to Gettysburg fence?

ACW371 Sack jacket, advancing right shoulder shift. Even more leaning into the stride. Tin cup next to his water bottle over his bayonet scabbard all on top of his snapsack.

ACW372 Sack jacket, reaching into cartridge box. Keeping his eye on the enemy. A natty little round hat on his head at a tilt "Can I load before the *G#! get me?!"

ACW373 Kneeling, reaching into cartridge box. Making himself a smaller target. Gasping with the effort of continual loading or running to get cover.

ACW374 Standard Bearer, sack jacket, kneeling, wounded, propping himself up with the flag staff and his other hand. Grimace of pain on his face. (Provide your own fly)

ACW375 Standing reaching into cartridge box, Sharps carbine. Dragoon pistol, boots, sabre hitched up. Excellently modeled.

ACW376 Standing firing, carbine (Con). Besides a holstered pistol, he has a dragoon pistol stuck in his belt. Big boots.

ACW377 Advancing - carbine (Con). Straw hat, bolstered pistol, big boots.

Mounted Commander

(not inc. horse) [choice of hat or kepi]

ACWC26 Frock coat, hand on hip (Con). Binoculars case on his right hip, sword on his left. My example is on H43 (Horse head down, standing. Dixons horses are always excellent). I look forward to painting this one up. The reins are separated at the front - a feat of casting.

Next, 25mm Wild West! Yeeehaaaa! And other suitable expressions. Extensions to the tons of fun a Wild West shootout can give club or solo gainers. You only need a few of these and a set of skirmish rules to be in business. Grow your own Wyatt Earp!

Mounted Gunfighters

MWG11 Drifter, toting shotgun. For Pukka Wallahs the figure is wearing a long riding coat and carrying a shot gun. Not sent.

MWG12 Duster, firing revolver to his left. Ditto.

MWG13 Duster with Winchester rifle. Droopy mustache. Could be bending in the saddle looking for a sign of tracks on the trail.

MWG14 Duster, slumped in saddle clutching arm wound. V9z pained expression. "My word that smarts!" Translated: "Gol dang it! They got me pardner!"

Mexican Bandidos

mounted (not including horse)

MWG15 Toting Winchester, short jacket and gamuzas. Vaquero equivalent of chaps I think. Bandolier across his chest. Holstered pistol, waist sash. More fine details.

MWG16 Toting revolver. Shirt sleeves and gamuzas. Sombrero, bandanna. An attempt at the big rowelled spurs. I put him on H46 going licketty split!

Gunfighters

WG55 Frock coat, kneeling firing sawn off shot gun. Could be a lawman with this crowd controlling scatter gun.

WG56 Frock coat, firing revolver from hip. Hatless, frock coat billowing, fine indication of sudden action caught by the modeler.

WG57 Frock coat, firing .45, shoulder height. Twisting to his right. Good aiming position, maybe a "shootist."

WG58 Shirt sleeves - drawing revolver. The sleeves of his union-suit showing below his rolled up shirt sleeves. Holster rather high so not a professional gunslinger (Butt should be between your wrist and elbow for a quick draw)

WG63 Long coat. Turning firing revolver. A really excellent figure in every way. I'll certainly draw this one.

WG64 Frock coat, standing, revolver at ready. Straddle legged with pistol in the air. (Better to stand firing shoulder forward like a boxing stance i.e. smaller target for opposition and more muscle behind your own weapon) Reminds me of the Southern gentleman.

WG68 Shirt sleeves, crouching, firing revolver. Could be snapping a shot round a corner. Quite an interesting pose but I don't like it.

More Barnes' Reviews

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© Copyright 1998 Hal Thinglum
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