Miniatures of Seven Years War Russians?

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Peter Rathgeb

PlanetFigure Supporter
Joined
May 20, 2023
Messages
85
Hi all

Greetings from Switzerland!

I have found - with the exception of an Officer Engineering and Artillery Cadet Corps. Russia, 1762-84 in 54mm by EK Castings - no miniatures of Russians of the Seven Years War (1756-1763), respectively of the reign of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna (1741-1762). Have I missed anything?

I understand that the producers of miniatures have better chances to sell e.g. Napoleonics. I also collect Russians from the Napoleonic, Great Northern War, and most other timeframes, but I would love to have, for example, a Russian Infantry Officer or Horse Grenadier of the Seven Years War. Maybe by Chronos? (hint! :) )

Cheers,
Peter
 
What scale or size are you looking for? There may be more choices in the smaller wargaming scales, than in 54mm and larger. You're right about the dearth of figures in 54mm, at least.

There were some nice castings of Russian infantry circa 1740, and Preobazhenski Guards in the reign of Paul, in the throwback uniforms he implemented. Those were finished in gloss and sold as toy soldiers, though the castings were available and could be painted in matte finish, too. Those were from St George's Cross. I have set of those. But yes, nothing like mounted figures of the various cavalry types, or artillery crews. It's a definite lack.

For my purposes, I can convert Stadden Prussian cuirassiers and Imrie/Risley French hussars in mirlitons, to Russians with little effort. But not many other makers' figures lend themselves to the conversion.

Prost!
Brad
 
What scale or size are you looking for? There may be more choices in the smaller wargaming scales, than in 54mm and larger. You're right about the dearth of figures in 54mm, at least.

There were some nice castings of Russian infantry circa 1740, and Preobazhenski Guards in the reign of Paul, in the throwback uniforms he implemented. Those were finished in gloss and sold as toy soldiers, though the castings were available and could be painted in matte finish, too. Those were from St George's Cross. I have set of those. But yes, nothing like mounted figures of the various cavalry types, or artillery crews. It's a definite lack.

For my purposes, I can convert Stadden Prussian cuirassiers and Imrie/Risley French hussars in mirlitons, to Russians with little effort. But not many other makers' figures lend themselves to the conversion.

Prost!
Brad


Thank you, Brad.

Yes, I'm looking for 54mm, Minden Miniatures has a very nice range in 28(-ish)mm.

In 54mm, I would not be afraid to convert e.g. a hussar to a Russian one. I could use the head of a (dismounted) Russian hussar 1764-72 by EK Castings which I just found, and I am well enough documented with regard to uniforms and equipment.

Cheers,
Peter
 
The unpopularity of the theme of figurines in the Russian army of the 18th century is due to 3 main reasons:

1. Low demand among collectors, which makes it not profitable for manufacturers of figurines to take on this topic.

2. A huge gap in historical documents and museum exhibits, as well as a large number of erroneously identified or incorrectly restored existing exhibits. Mostly because of the devastating wars in the country.

3. Conflicts among professional researchers of the topic of Russian historical costume of the 18th century. Because of this, there is still no more or less grouped publication that could more or less clearly give general information on the units of all branches of the Russian army: clothing, weapons, equipment, sizes, materials, etc. All the necessary information is available in thousands of publications scattered across hundreds of magazines, articles, videos, individual chapters of various books, often considering some small detail of a particular unit. In such a situation, to collect the necessary and most importantly correct information in one heap, to create one historically reliable figurine of a soldier of a certain regiment for a certain period, is practically not realistic for a sculptor, artist or miniature maker who is not an expert in this topic. Against this background, those figures that are now available on this topic were made either with a huge number of errors, or with a smaller number of errors, they did not justify the cost of their manufacture both in terms of money and time.

That is why the Russian 18th century is so difficult for historical miniature.
 
Hi Peter

svt raises excellent points, it's a real shame , there's so much choice of subjects , both for figures and busts

If it's not going to sell or has inaccuracies despitetge wealth of references and knowledge of people like svt then it's not worth any manufacturer's time and money

Hope we see conversions from you

Happy benchtime

Nap
 
Thank you, svt and Nap!

Of course, you are right - on the other hand, research probably will never come to an end. Even in periods with a wealth of information (and available miniatures) like the Napoleonic one, there is still - and will always be - lots of disputes between scholars. The discussion groups are full of heated discussions between "experts", and it is hard to form your own opinion. Also, just think of uniform regulations which remain theoretical, because they were never really implemented in the field for lack of supply and time before the next regulations were issued.

Ultimately, if I see a beautiful, well made miniature produced according to best knowledge, with small inaccuracies according to the most recent research, I still have the choice to buy it or not, and to apply small modifications, if I find this appropriate.

But of course, I get the point, and you are perfectly right, svt! On the other hand, this would mean that producers should produce only miniatures based on photographical evidence, right? ;)

Well, let's see if somebody has mercy and produces a nice Russian Horse Grenadier for me...

All the best,
Peter
 
Armies in Plastic, even artillery


I had a look on their website, but they are - as the name says - in plastic. Different sets of artillery with or without crews, 1 set of infantry, no cavalry.

Does anybody have seen them "in the flesh", respectively "in the plastic"?
 
I had a look on their website, but they are - as the name says - in plastic. Different sets of artillery with or without crews, 1 set of infantry, no cavalry.

Does anybody have seen them "in the flesh", respectively "in the plastic"?

Yes, and they're what you might expect. If you want the quality of the resin or white metal connoisseur kit figures, soft plastic figures don't quite measure up. That's not to run them down; they do paint up nicely, and there are fans of plastic figures like that. I imagine many fans' interest goes back to playing with plastic army men when they were kids. Just like the folks who played with hollowcast toy soldiers back in the day, became interested in more detailed miniature models when they were grown up. Anyway, it's a subculture of the broader hobby. But I don't think they'll satisfy what you're looking for.

Though, you might want to take a closer look. Look for a plastic vendor at a show and look at the sets he offers. There are some nicely sculpted and molded plastic figures that have come from Russia over the past 10, 15 years, too. They're just different, from resin or metal figures.

Hope that helps!
Prost!
Brad
 
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