The Men of the Duke

These are the first four of the line infantry for the Duchy of Schmalz. With their rifled muskets and steadfast spirit, these men represent the strong backbone of the Duke's army. While resplendent in their blue uniforms and golden-plumed helmets, they are also well-trained and well-led, which will be necessary when facing the Kasekopfers, who sacrifice their skill for uncontrolled aggression.

Once again, the figures are all Perry Plastics, with the bodies and arms from the ACW Union box and head gear from the AWI British box. All bases are again from Warbases. I plan on collecting about 40-50 of these line infantry in addition to two groups of line infantry skirmishers.

The Duke's Own Jaegers

Here is the first of two groups of my Jaegers in service to the Duke of Schmalz. Drawn from the best marksmen and hunters in the line infantry, they are the elite soldiers of the Schmalzer military, with greater training, motivation, and moustaches. They are equipped with the same cut of uniform as the rest of the army, but their green and gray uniforms were specifically chosen to assist with blending into the scenery of the Black Forest, allowing them to act as excellent scouts and ambushers.

The figures are all Perry Plastics, with the bodies and arms from the ACW Union box and head gear from the AWI British box. Since both ranges use the same style of separate hats, it allows for some really easy conversions if you are looking to kit bash for some neat imagination projects. The bases are 1" fender washers, which fit perfectly into my Warbases 2p movement trays. I like to use washers because it lends weight to the bottom of the miniatures, which helps balance metal and plastic figures as well as lend some nice heft to what are otherwise feather-light plastics. I'm using 20mm mdf bases for the line infantry, but with magnets to keep them in the movement trays. Again, all from Warbases.

The grass mat, again, is the excellent dyed faux fur mat from Killing Fields Terrain, which is by far the best faux fur mat I've ever seen or used. Because they are dyed, you don't get that stiffness that you get with painted fur and the colors are even throughout the mat. After I recover from my upcoming move, I plan on picking up one of their soon to be release short hair mats and probably one to cut up for some terrain projects I have in mind. I feel like the fact that I'm willing to buy one just to butcher is about the best endorsement I can give for the reasonable prices that the mats go for as well. Watch this space for more on those projects in the next couple months.

The Duchy of Schmalz and the Principality of Saindoux-Kasekopfes

As of right now, these are the working force rosters for my Imaginations forces. They will both be minor German states near the border between France and Germany, but they could really be anywhere with European looking forces if I want. Maybe they are colonial forces in South America or Africa? Maybe living in a completely fantastical world? That could be pretty cool. Regardless, before I indulge on any flights of fancy, I need to iron out my force lists, which will help dictate the forces I need to collect.

The Duchy of Schmalz

The military of the Duchy of Schmalz, or Schmalzers as they are colloquially known, is formed from a core of well-drilled, well-equipped infantry with elite light infantry Jaegers. The cavalry arm is best compared to Union cavalry in the American Civil War, with breech loading carbines and a doctrine that encourages fighting on foot as skirmishers more than on horseback. There is definitely meant to be a Prussian influence to the force, hence the Stubborn and Sharp Practice traits

As of right now, the plan is to collect five groups of infantry in line, two groups of line skirmishers, two groups of Jaeger skirmishers, two groups of cavalry (mounted and dismounted), and one artillery piece.

The Principality of Saindoux-Kasekopfes

The Principality of Saindoux-Kasekopfes, with it's large minority of French inhabitants draws a little more of that aggressive spirit or elan. The soldiers of the Principality favor decisive action over well measured drill and it shows in the their traits, with Aggressive and even Rebel Yell for the Guard infantry. All forces are similarly equipped to their Schmalzer counterparts, except that the cavalry is only equipped with rifled carbines, partially to discourage cowardly skirmishing, but also to save money, as the Principality is not quite as well funded as their Schmalzer counterparts.

I plan on collecting five groups of infantry in line, two groups of line skirmishers, three groups of guard infantry, two groups of cavalry (mounted and dismounted), and one artillery piece.

Mr. Lincoln's Boys

Short post this time around. I'm in the process of moving from Northern Virginia to upstate New York, so things have been pretty busy. I haven't had too much time for painting, but I have had a little. So far, I've finished twelve skirmishers for my Union ACW force and I'm in the process of painting up two sergeants and a lieutenant, which will be Status I and II, respectively. Until the move at the end of the month, that will be the last of the Union boys.

I've also got the next four of the Duchy of Whositorwhatsit (Name still undecided) Jaegers almost finished on the paint table, just highlights to do now. I've also put the Jaeger NCO (Status I) together, along with the first four of the line infantry. I hope to have all of these guys finished before the move so that I have something to show for the last month.

Anyway, on to the pics!