New Frontier American 1812 Figures

        A few days before my discovery mentioned in the last post, I bought a rather large collection of 15mm Frontier War of 1812 miniatures. The main reason I purchased it is I thought it had  a few figures that I have been looking for. I did spend more than normal, but finding such a collection of 1812 Americans is a rarity.
       One reason I wanted these figures were to paint some of them as 1820's-1830's volunteer militia companies, possibly to be used in an imagi-nation wargame campaign. I started painting one unit the same day I received them, as there is some primer on most of the figures. I also wanted to try some new acrylic paints, artist in the tube type. I like the tube paint as it tends to cover the figures better; however, the colors are much darker than the label shows. They also seem to dry a little darker. Perhaps it is that I bought a very cheap set, not wanting to invest $30 in paints.

   As I was finishing up the figures I also realized that the figures were not the same ones  I was looking for. The shako is shorter and these figures have a canteen and haversack: the figure I was looking for only has a bayonet sheath. Still, I still plan to move forward with the militia plan. That would give me 9- 4 man units.

  In the end, I am thinking of another project, using these figures for War of1812 skirmish games.

On the left are command figures and soldiers in overcoats. On the right are Riflemen.

These are Marine figures.

I believe the figures on the left might be British, as they have wings in their shoulders. The figures on the right are lovely American sappers with aprons! I have to figure a way to use these figures.

Another shot of the sappers.

Various command figures, including 2 Minifigs officers.

The main reason I bought this lot. 36 infantry advancing.

The new figure painted on the left, the original figure that I was looking for.

Close up of the difference in the figures. I didn't notice until looking at this picture that the left figure also is more animated than the right figure.

The front of the figures. These two figures are more my style; these isn't too much detail in these figures. The rest of the Frontier figures are the same height as these figures, but much more stocky with more detail.

New Book and a "Holy Moly!" Moment

    Before going on vacation I saw on another blog a book" Armies of the War of 1812" by Gabriele Esposito, with uniform illustrations by Olivier Millet. I've seen the illustrations on Mr. Millet's blog; unfortunately it is in French. Finding this book was money well spent. Besides having all of Mr Millet's uniform illustrations, Mr. Esposito has translated it to English. I dare say it might be the best uniform book I own.  Unlike other books that shows a select number of uniforms, this book has examples of most of the major units, along with the different states and Canadian Provinces militia uniforms. It might be a little pricy, but I think it is money well spent.

  I have had little interest in wargaming recently. My personal life right now leaves little time for it; although next month one of the more time consuming matters will no longer be an issue.  Still, what free time I have has been watching tv or being on the computer. I decided to try going back to painting (pictures, not toy soldiers) for a break from my stagnant wargame projects. I have 2 small plastic tool boxes that I use  when I take toy soldiers on vacation for painting. I decided to use one for my new painting supplies. As I was going through one I took out a clear plastic container. When brought into the light, "HOLY Moly!" I realized they were  2nd generation War of 1812 militia that I didn't remember owning, including several militia officer figures I've been searching for. They were 15 militiamen and 4 militia officers. While I might not have any immediate plans for them, it is good to know that I have these new reinforcements.

The new book. If you want to see some of the uniform plates, Google "Olivier Millet, War of 1812".

The newly discovered Minifigs militia.

One Project Actually Completed

   Before leaving for camping, while researching militia uniforms, I came across a Sotheby's catalog for an auction of a militia collection. I did find several copies of it on Ebay, but waited until we got back from vacation to buy one.  For me it was money well spent.

     I also made a mold of a converted Zinnbrigade figure. The figure itself came out usable; however the musket would not cast, no matter what I tried. In the end I used toothpicks for muskets.

  After two weeks, I still haven't decided on what to do for a project. However, while looking for War of 1812 wargame ideas, I came across The Perfect Captain website. This website have many free rules sets. All they ask is for a donation to one of the different charities they support (they use the honor system). The one set of rules that caught my eye was "Battle Finder". It is a set of rules for campaigns. It also comes with 64 maps for the campaign system. I did print out the rules and maps.
   I was trying to figure out how to mount the maps while eating a bowl of cereal.  I figured cardboard would be too thick. However it dawned on me that the thin cardboard the cereal came in might be the answer.
    This morning I took a glue stick, maps and cereal box into the basement. After covering the printed side with the glue, I placed the paper with the maps into the cardboard. I then used a paper cutter I have to cut out the maps. I am happy with the result; what's more they fit into a box that some recently bought toy soldiers came in. By the way, after reading about the disaster in the Bahamas from the direct hit from Hurricane Dorian, I donated to the Red Cross/Red Crescent.

The Sotheby's catalog.

Tombstone plates, which would be tied to a militiaman's hat.

Militia shakos.

The Zinnbrigade conversions, with a left lower arm added and the head from "the Brave Tin Soldier" Prince August mold. The light blue clad figure is aSAE ACW figure painted as a 1st Massachusetts militiaman. The next is a Prince August British infantryman painted as a War of 1812 US infantryman. The last two are Minifigs militiamen.

Some of the "Perfect Captain" maps. The brown card is the cardboard backing.

The box which I plan to store them in.