Dear Editor,
After "devouring issue #2 of THE ZOUAVE I must write and congratulate you and Clay on your dedication and the quality of your first two issues. However, as president of Stone Mountain Miniatures, I want to comment on one of the articles in the last issue. I could not agree more with Steve Thomas' concerns in his article (on ACW colors) in the area of look-alike miniatures. As the designer and sculptor of Stone Mountain's line of ACW miniatures I have always been concerned with the realistic appearance of my figures. Therefore, I was surprised that Steve lumped all manufacturers in one group by stating that figure manufacturers are pretty much in the dark as regards the actual uniforms and colors of the basic ACW vintage. I'm sure that Steve is familiar with the variety of uniforms and poses in Stone Mountain's lines. Take our "Ragged Rebels" for example. Where else can one purchase 20 different figures in one pack? Included are clean shaven to fully bearded figures, plus some bareheaded and bandaged veterans and a full range of hat styles from pre-ACW forage caps to kepis and slouch hats. Bare feet and patched uniforms? We include them also!
Of course, and I know that Steve realizes it, no manufacturer can make every figure different without exorbitant design and production costs. Again, Stone Mountain has taken an innovative approach to providing variety. Each pack of our ACW Infantry contains a flagbearer with a full length flagstaff. This staff can be used as is with a wrap-around paper flag (such as from LaLegion). Or, the staff can be cut short and used with one of the three different metal flags we include with each pack (Union national, Confederate battle, or a blank for use as a special unit flag). Thus, the same pack of soft hat figures with blanket rolls can be used for Confederate or Union troops from the Western theatre. The choice is the customer's and eliminates wasted figures.
My comments are in no way meant to degrade or otherwise detract from Steve's excellent article. I merely want to alert readers to the fact that there is one company that caters to realism and is always willing to listen to constructive criticism and customer's needs (refer to our figure review in Issue #1 of this magazine). If any readers are interested in Stone Mountains s miniature lines (ancient to ACW, plus terrain, buildings, accessories, etc.) send a couple of bucks to the address in our ad and we'll fire off a catalog. Please specify the figure scale of choice--15mm or 22-25mm.
(EDITOR'S NOTE): I had to think about printing this letter, since it comes close to being a "free ad". However, the ACW Society owes a great deal to Stone Mountain for being the first and most vocal supporter of our organization. If anyone deserves a free plug (they've given us quite a few), it IS Stone Mountain!
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