I saw an ad for a new British company called Feudal Castings (Steve Shaw, 22 Josiah Rd., Northfield,,Birmingham B31 5DF, Vest Midlands. U.K.) selling 15mm Dark Ages figures. I sent Mr. Shaw a cheque for 5 pounds sterling and requested a random sampling of figures. These are really nice! F.C.,currently specializes in some of the odd corners of the Early Middle Ages - Irish, Scots, and of all things, dismounted Lombards, as well as Vikings and Scots. My selection, as I had requested, consisted of Irishmen and "Wild Scots". These are nicely cast, fairly delicate figures about the size and stature of Essex figures. Animation is good, tending to the "active" end of things, and the metal is flexible enough to permit some movement of arms and legs.

The Scots/Irish range has 38 items, some of which have two variants, giving scope for a varied' army. The figures I received have been pressed into service with my very mixed Celtic bands, fitting well with the several different brands in my collection. I'll be buying more. I don't know how to recommend U.S. buyers pay for F.C. figures, as I assume Mr. Shaw is one-man-in-the-garden-shed kind of operation who doesn't take Visa or MC etc. Unless you want to pay for (expensive) sterling money orders - I forget what the bank calls them - I'd go for exchanging a few dollars for a British 5 or 10 pound note ($9 or $18.00) equivalent or send to F.C. with instructions as to what you want in general terms. Figures are 12p for infantry, 24p each for cavalry, surface mail is 30%, airmail 60%. Service was very quick by airmail.