Artillery-the Quartermasters Nightmare

In many battles of the 17th century, artillery was anything but standardized. 
Length of barrel, width of shot, type of shot, muzzle loading breach loading, amount of powder and even the type of power varied as greatly as the mirid of types and styles of cannons available. 

A look at the mixed guns in these English Civil War battery gives just a small example of what must have been a horrible nightmare for and field armies Quartermasters.

The mena are from Hinchcliffe they and all the artillery pieces are metal. I painted these in the early 1980's.

 

Ships of the Desert

For thousands of years the camel has been the way to trave the deserts of Asia and Africa.

It didn't take long for warriors to begin to use these "ships of the desert" to assist in battles in dry lands/

From Ancient Egypt to the colonial wars of the 19th century, camel mounted troops have fought for control of the esert lands of the World.

While these warriors are armes with spear and bow, the US Cavalry even used a camel corps to patrol the Southwest in the decade before the American Civil War (stationed at Fort Tejon California, the experiment was not a success and the cavalry returened to the use of horses).

I painted these 25mm metal pieces in the 1980's for colonial battles even though they warriors are more correct for battles more than 1500 years earlier (proper castings were hard to come by in '80's).

Tiger Zouave

On the eve of the War Teen the States, the regimental standard bearer of the Lousiana Tiger Zouaves awaits his flag.

I painted this 25mm metal piece from Hinchcliffe in the 1980's.

For France

"This way to glory and for France," shouts Captain d'Foule of the 3rd Zouave Regiment.

The command section of a French Zouave regiment stands ready to expand the frontiers of the Empire.

From Mexico to French Indo-China, the Zouave regiments helped project the power of the French Empire.

These are 25mm metal pieces from Hinchcliffe Miniatures that I painted in the 1980's, for my colonial battles.

Advance-Fire-Retire

In the fast paced battlefields of the the Reiters were a swift strike force of blazing pistols. A staple of many armies from the late 16th century to early decades of the 17th century the Reiters were light cavalry with a special flourish.

They developed a special tactic where they would charge towards the enemy, and let blast with their pistols at near point blank range.

They would then wheel away from the enemy, returning towards their lines, reload and repeat the maneuver. When the enemy was suitably weakened they would finish them off with a sword melee.

These are metal 25mm pieces from Hinchcliffe that I painted in the late 1970's.

Power of the Steppes

Charging out of the morning gloom of the Steppes, charges a raiding party of Cossacks.

Known for their horsemanship, and ferocity, the Cossacks drove fear into the hearts of their enemies.

These are old Hinchcliffe 25mm metal pieces that I painted back in the late 1970's.

Big Bang-Light Support

 A battery of French heavy foot artillery is supported by a unit of dismounted dragoons while supporting the troops of the Emperor.

 Foot artillery was the backbone of the force Napoleon called the "Queen of Battle."

The artillery are 15mm metal pieces from Heritage that I painted in the late 1970's.

For God and Country

Two companies of Parliamentary musketeers, covered in dust from a long march on dry roads, stand ready to fight for their God and England.

Armed with short range matchlock muskets, these men would give covering firepower to the pikemen who were the main infantry shock force of the army.

The red dots identify these as the 2nd and third companies, the first company was the pike unit while the colonel would have the flag without dots.

These 25mm metal pieces are 1970's pieces from Minifig and Hinchcliffe. They are not up to the quality design and larger size of modern pieces, but they were a lot cheaper in those days and fun to paint.

Eat Hot Lead Sir Knight

Death to the knight in armor-the musket men of the Renaissance.

Armed with a primitive, but deadly, smooth bore musket, these men could send a wall of lead shot that could penetrate any armor at close range. The heavy armored cavalry would remain a staple on the battlefield for two more centuries but the day of the once all powerful elite knights was over.

These 25mm metal pieces are from Hinchcliffe, I painted them in the early 1980's.

Every Battle goes better with Gunpowder

A group of Italian matchlock men ready their pieces in one of the countless battles among the city states of Italy.

With the early matchlock, gunpowder became a true power on the battle field. Heavy armor could not stop a matchlock ball and soon the day of the heavy armored knight and man-at-arms was coming to a close.

These are 25mm metal figures from Hinchcliffe that I painted in the early 1980's.

We Fight for Parliament and Cromwell

With firelocks primed, a line of musketeers ready to give fire into the troops of King Charles in the English Civil War.

In an attempt to create a form of uniform camaraderie, the commander of this musketeer unit has provided his men with green shirts and buff vests. Most of the rest of the equipment and clothing is at the discretion of the individual soldier.

These are more of the old 25mm Minifig and Hinchcliffe, castings from the 1970's.

"Present your Firelocks!"

"At the command-ready your firelocks-present your firelocks-fire!" These words would send a wall of lead flying into the foe.

By the 17th Century the musket had developed into a key weapon on the battlefield. It was not yet the master of war that later improvements, including the bayonet, would make it into, but it was still deadly.

This detachment of musketeers was indicative of the thousands of such warriors that fought in the English Civil War.

These are more metal 25mm miniatures cast in the 1970's by Minifigs and Hinchcliffe.