A Gentleman's War or Glossy Coats and Tin Bayonets Rules

It has been challenging to find rules that I'm happy with for fielding my 1866 collection. The latest hope is a set by Howard Whitehouse called A Gentleman's War or, Glossy Coats and Tin Bayonets. A quick read through gives me hope that I might have found a set that will suit my original intention for this collection.  Infantry units are 12 figures strong, Skirmishers 6 figures and cavalry in 6 figure units. There will be a few additions to the collection, command figures and some more cavalry. 

The figures in the collection have been painted and gloss varnished to give an old school feel as I wanted to use them to play Scenarios for Wargames and Programmed Wargames Scenarios by Charles Stewart Grant. These are great books from the Wargames Research Group, long out of print, and I was very fortunate to find these copies many years ago. Like everything in my gaming life, things move very slowly. I also intend to use the wonderful Table Top Teasers from Charles Grant; Henry Hyde published these in a Battlegames Table Top Teasers Volume 1 that is still available to purchase from Wargames Vault as a pdf. 

I've also acquired some more 1866 miniatures from the Northstar 1866 range, these include various command figures for the Prussians and Austrians which weren't available when I painted the original armies; and a unit of 12 Prussian Cuirassiers. Given the small number required I'll probably rotate these onto the painting table in-between Bronze Age figures. More photos of Sea Peoples to come...

1866 Austrian Artillery

Reinforcements for my 1866 Austrians, more artillery from NorthStar Miniatures 1866 range. These really are lovely figures to paint. Everything kept simple painting wise, with a gloss finish to match the rest of the collection. 

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1866 Austrian Dragoons

More additions to my 1866 project, these are 28mm Austrian Dragoons and an Austrian Officer from NorthStar 1866 range. l did have a slight mishap when assembling these miniatures as one sword arm  miraculously disappeared from the table in front of me during assembly (I suspect I was overly enthusiastic when tidying up). All was not lost though as I found a plastic sword arm from Warlord Games ECW cavalry was a decent fit (see if you can spot the replacement, there is one telltale sign, but I'm not telling). The flag is from Warflag.

This project should be drawing to a close soon, I've completed the Prussian Jäger, I'll need to add some more Austrian artillery but I think that will do for now...!

All in all I've really enjoyed painting these miniatures, there will be more 19th century projects, and I suspect this one will be added to as well...but not just yet.

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1866 Austrian Artillery and Jagar

Some new additions to the 1866 Austrians. All figures are 28mm from the North Star 1866 range.
Once again they've been given a simple paint job and a gloss varnish finish. These are lovely figures to paint, and the more I look into this period the more I'm getting drawn in.
I've also finished the Austrian Dragoons, I'll post pictures once I get round to adding a suitable flag to the unit. 

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1866 Austrian Infantry

Finally completed the initial purchase of infantry for the 1866 Austrians. Mounted officer, artillery, Jagers, and Dragoons to finish off.

The figures are from the NorthStar 1866 range, flags are freebies from Warflag.

I've really enjoyed painting these miniatures, lovely sculpts, and an interesting period to discover. There will be more 1866 armies to come, very tempted by 6mm.

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1866 Austrian Infantry

Finished a second unit of 1866 Austrians. The figures are 28mm NorthStar 1866, the flag is from the War Flag site.

Thoughts are starting to turn towards Salute next month, planning pre orders and looking through the list of demonstration games and taking note of those I want to see. I'm really looking forward to seeing what games are on display this year, and as usual I will taking my camera with me and hope to   Post some pictures of the day like last year.

1866 Austrians

 The first unit of 1866 Austrians by North Star Miniatures are completed. The only problem I'm having is finding suitable flags for the period, if all else fails I'll have to use Napoleonic ones.

Once again these miniatures were a delight to paint.

This time though I started with a grey undercoat 'German Field Grey' Bolt Action spray by Warlord Games. It was then business as usual with base colours added and a wash of Army Painter Strong Tone Ink added. The coat was dry brushed with Foundry Quagmire Grey. Trousers were painted in Foundry Night Sky. All paints used were from the Foundry range.

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