Falcon Miniatures ACW Militia

Recently I started painting some 15mm ACW figures for skirmish games. After painting some regular infantry as a militia unit,I decided to painted up a unit of Falcon Miniatures militia. I was so happy with the results, I painted up 2 more units.

I have a total of 20 of these figures. I figure each 4 man unit will represent a company. Their commander is a 1st generation Minifigs officer.

I still believe I might have a few more of these figures and continue to look though all my different containers of figures.

New Homecasts

These are some homecast militia for the 1880's. The body is a casting of Britain's West Point figure. The heads were Fusilers recast. The epaulets were made with green stuff. I made up the uniforms, based on two different militia units of the period. I not too happy with the paint job. I might strip it down and retry it again.

Ideas for 1800's Militia

I haven't been able to get a project off the ground. One project was to use Britain's figures to recreate U.S. militia units of the 1800's. I ordered some spare heads to get an idea of which heads would work for this period. Today I got the idea of trying the different heads with a West Point body.

Massachusetts Militia Cards: Part 5

   As every Christmas, my wife asked what I wanted for Christmas.  Instead of my normal "nothing", I asked for cigarette cards. After a brief description, she simply gave me the "you're crazy!" look and said  ok. I ordered several lots that consisted of Massachusetts militia uniforms. I also ordered several pages of card holders, so I can finally take them out of the old box that I've lost several times. There are several duplicates, but at least I have all the Massachusetts cards that I know of.  I have posted below the collection of Massachusetts  cards, even ones I have shown before.

Militia Cigarette Cards: Part 4

       With my most recent posts about militia uniforms illustrated on cigarette cards, I found myself looking for more.  I bought 10 more, all of Massachusetts militia uniforms. As I bought two sets, I got several duplicates.  A am going to try to collect at least as many Massachusetts cards as I can.

Militia Cigarette Cards: Part 3

 

Militia Cigarette Cards: Part 2

 

Militia Cigarette Cards

     I mentioned on replying to comments in my last post that I have several cigarettes cards on militia units of the late 1800's in the United States. I have scanned a few of them for your viewing pleasure.

   I also recommend those interested in US military uniforms of the 18th and 19th century to go toheritagemuseumsandgardens.org  Once on the site go to "engage" then to "collections", which should bring you to where you can access the collection of military miniatures showing early American uniforms up to the late 1800's. They are truly inspirational figures and well worth checking out.

Thoughts on a New Project

      I have done little with the hobby the last couple of months. I try to start a project but lose interest quickly. I did read a couple of books about the Canadian Rebellions of 1837-38, and the Fenian raids. It has me thinking of an imagi-nation game where both sides use militia companies to form their armies.

    I started stripping down my 15mm Minifigs militia, with the idea of 4 man companies. After painting a couple of units, I started losing interest. I realized that at that scale I couldn't paint fine details to distinguish the different companies, such as buttons and hat details. I want to use American militia units as the basis for my games.  For time periods I am thinking either the 1830's or 1880's; these periods saw a large number of Volunteer militias with colorful uniforms and names. Doing the 1880's would be easiest for me; it is easy to find toy soldiers of this period being manufactured. Finding figures that would work for the 1830's is more difficult. What's more, I want an "Old School" look to the figures.

   I have several ideas on how to go with this project, including trying to sculpt my own figures. As my wife and I are leaving on a camping trip tomorrow, I will have time to think this problem out. I also plan to bring a few books for research.

Figure scale from left to right: 15mm Minifigs; 20mm Frying pan and Blanket Amalgamated; 30mm SAE; 40mm home cast, 2 converted Zinnbrigade, 1 Prince August, and a converted Zinnbrigade figure; 54mm Britains.

The look I'm going for. 

To see more shots of these militiamen, look under "Historic Eastfield Foundation".

Historic Eastfield Foundation & the Eastfield Militia

      My wife and I just got back from a three day weekend from camping in New York.  The purpose of the trip wast to visit Historic Eastfield Foundation, which was the brainchild of Don Carpentier. HEF is a collection of 30 building, which Mr. Carpentier relocated to 14 acres of land his parents gave him when he was still in his teens. Most of the building were to be demolished to make way for progress. He started building on the property when he was still in high school. His first structure was to house a growing collection of antiques. As his collection of building grew,  to help offset the cost of the building, classes in traditional skills were offered. Among the classes are tinsmithing, fireplace building, fireplace cooking, and other similar skills that would be of use from the period of early America.  Students who take these three to five day courses are allowed to stay at Eastfield for free (except they must bring 10 white candles to use during their visit) in one of the inns on the property, for free. They prepare meals in the fireplace and and must make due without electricity for the time there.
     Historic Eastfield Foundation is not a museum. It is privately owned. In the past besides the classes offered, it has been used in films for sets.  With the passing of Mr. Carpentier in 2014,  Eastfield has been open to the general public for one day in 2015 and this past weekend was open again for one day, for the second annual Founders Day, a tribute to Mr. Carpentier.
    I first learned of Historic Eastfield Foundation from a magazine back in 1994. I often wanted to see Eastfield since that article; with this opportunity I decided to make the trip. To find Eastfield was an adventure in itself. To find Eastfield is difficult; the fact that they never gave directions on how to find it complicated the matter. Perhaps it was to make sure only the truly devoted would make the journey.   They did give the location using GPS. I still use roadmaps; my limited use of GPS has been a disappointment. Also, up the the hills of Eastern New York cell phone reception is spotty, to say the least.
   Eastfield had reenactors on hand to tell of the different buildings and trades. They also had the "Eastfield Miliita", a representation of an 1830's militia company. They performed the drills of the day and marched around the village. At the end of the day they had target practice; unfortunately we left before then. With my previous posts about militia, I took plenty of photographs to illustrate the militia of the period.

Hot off the press!

The Eastfield militia muster. They are representing a militia company from the 1830's.

A wife brings her husband refreshments during a break in the drill.

The militia marching trough the village to the tune of "Yankee Doodle".