Franco Prussian War figures..................... (2 Viewers)

[Warrior]

The Franco Prussian War has become an area of great interest for me the past couple of years. As many of you know, I collect 20mm figures; Napoleonics, ACW and WWII. About two years ago, I started a FPW collection and it's been a lot of fun doing so, have also been reading many books on the period and I am wondering why no major matte finished manufacturer has tackled this subject?

This war was brief but very bloody, more major battles were fought in the first 6 weeks of the war than in the first 2 years of the ACW, it also had major personalities in Napoleon III and Bismarck. The outcome shaped the balance of power in Europe for the next 75 or so years and it's final outcome led to two world wars.

Also, so many varied and colorful uniforms; French infantry, Guard Infantry, Chasseurs, Voltigeurs, Zouaves, Turcos, Guard Mobile, Marines, plus Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Lancers, Chasseurs a Cheval, Carabiniers, Hussars and Chasseurs D'Afrique, then you've got Prussian Infantry, Guard Infantry, Jaegers, Bavarians, Wurttembergers, Saxons, not to mention varied cavalry such as Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Lancers and Hussars.


There were a number of iconic battles and a large number of famous paintings/artwork from the period as well.


As a collector, would this period be of interest; just throwing this out there, also wondering if collectors can speculate as to why this period has been ignored, it's a hot button for me, but maybe I'm missing something..........any thoughts/comments would be appreciated, there is some behind the scenes things going on with this as well for me and my company which I can't get into right now, but we'll see what the future holds on this...........

 

[Combat]

I'm always in favor of something different that hasn't been covered. But I don't have to sell the stuff. Manufacturers seem to be conservative on the lines they produce believing the bulk of sales are in a few wars (e.g. WWII, Napoleonic). They are probably right in most instances, but I think John Jenkins has proven that there is a healthy niche market for some lesser known historical eras. Those can be wildly popular and flops. The selection of uniforms and equipment is a factor. Some just have more visual appeal than others regardless of historical merit. The manufacturer takes a risk with these lesser known wars. I think there is an element of education to draw collector interest and they have to take the leap and make the figures to gauge interest. I think almost anything will eventually sell if it is done well enough though. The success of Jenkins' recent Aztec line is a good example.

 

[Imperial Miniatures]

I have a big collection of 25mm FPW figures for wargaming and I find the period fascinating.

It has never been that popular a period for figure collecting or wargaming though - I think it is perceived as one-sided against the French.

I agree about the uniforms as it is probably the last big war in Europe before Khaki become common...

 

[nysoldiers]

I would be interested in a FPW series depending on which uniforms/regiments were produced.
Not sure how commercially popular it would be as it falls between Napoleonic and early WWI collectors.
I think Ancients are hot right now so not sure collectors are ready for another 19th century series.
John could do a limited release to test the waters.

 

[lancer]

Interesting question about why this war is all but ignored, by collectors, manufacturers, and historians. There are studies, to be sure, such as the classic by Howard, the German General Staff 5 vol. effort, and the newer studies by Wawro, Stone, and Barry, and some other lesser known works, but nothing on the order of the many works done on such minor affairs such as the Anglo-Zulu War or other Victorian era conflicts. It is a puzzle, considering the importance of the FPW. I just don't know how it has gotten lost. I guess that once you get past the ACW, Queen Victoria's Little Wars rule the market until you reach the First World War. Conflicts like the FPW and the Span/Am War just get lost by the Anglo centric preferences, regardless of their importance. I, for one, would be glad to see the FPW done in 1/30 scale. It is hard to beat the wide and colorful variety of units, uniforms, and the massive battles/campaigns of movement. -- Al

 

[Go for Broke]

I think you need a box office hit with huge battle scenes.

 

[Dragoon]

Bill Horan created a number of great figures and vignettes depicting the Franco Prussian War.

I would make some room if JJD or First Legion took on the subject.

 

[lancer]

Bill Horan created a number of great figures and vignettes depicting the Franco Prussian War.

I would make some room if JJD or First Legion took on the subject.

View attachment 241888

French infantry and cavalry of this period done by JJD would break my bank, but at least the poor house would be decorated with colorful FPW figures.:wink2: -- Al

 

[Warrior]

Bill Horan created a number of great figures and vignettes depicting the Franco Prussian War.

I would make some room if JJD or First Legion took on the subject.

View attachment 241888

Funny you mentioned that as his work is part of what inspired me to begin a FPW collection in 20mm.


One of the things I thought of is if a company began a series based on famous artwork from the period, similar to what Conte did with some of Don Troiani's paintings. Imagine a set of figures based on the fighting in the cemetery at Gravelotte St Privat or the French infantry and artillerymen closing the chateau gates during The Battle of Champigny.

From there you could begin to do addon sets and see where things go.

 

[theBaron]

Hecker & Goros had a small range of FPW figures in their catalog, including a Bavarian artillery piece and crew, and foot and mounted figures. Stadden also produced some in the custom figure range; they aren't too numerous.

CBG and Mignot produced some, too, and Heyde and other German makers put out a lot of figures from the period, naturally.

I'd be interested, but I prefer the true 54mm size, rather than the new standard, and a classic toy soldier finish.

Of interest would also be a figure of General Sheridan, who was an observer with the Prussian army during the campaign in 1870, witnessing Napoleon III's surrender.

Prost!
Brad

 

[jazzeum]

Make that a big yes!

 

[Dragoon]

Funny you mentioned that as his work is part of what inspired me to begin a FPW collection in 20mm.


One of the things I thought of is if a company began a series based on famous artwork from the period, similar to what Conte did with some of Don Troiani's paintings. Imagine a set of figures based on the fighting in the cemetery at Gravelotte St Privat or the French infantry and artillerymen closing the chateau gates during The Battle of Champigny.

From there you could begin to do addon sets and see where things go.

Oh yes, that would be an excellent starting point for a series. There were some great military artists both French and German who painted that war.
I believe the paintings you speak of were done by Alphonse de Neuville.

I could just imagine what John Jenkins could do with this. - Maybe we should start a 'Kickstarter' campaign and commission him.

 

[Terp152]

Have to think the very short period of the conflict, 6 months, has limited studies. I'm sure the figs would be stunning, but can't afford another series due to lack of $ and space. Chris

 

[ucla1967]

I believe I have all, if not most, of the Franco-Prussian War sets made by Quality Model Soldiers a couple of decades ago. These figures were 54mm, glossy, and came in sets with five figures. Unfortunately, I have them stored in a clothes closet and have never displayed them due to a lack of display space.

 

[ucla1967]

Attached are some photos of individual figures from various sets and full five figure sets. QMS's faces are rather unique and crude, but still charming in a certain sense. The Franco-Prussian War uniforms are very colorful, especially the French uniforms. The two styles of boxes and labels used by QMS are also shown.

 

[MikeNick]

Attached are some photos of individual figures from various sets and full five figure sets. QMS's faces are rather unique and crude, but still charming in a certain sense. The Franco-Prussian War uniforms are very colorful, especially the French uniforms. The two styles of boxes and labels used by QMS are also shown.

Thanks.
I wish there were personality figures in action poses for the war: Napoleon III, Bismarck, Gambetta to name a few. The Mokarex and Mignot ones are all that I have seen.

I would also like some figures based on the Paris Commune.

MikeNick

 

[Napoleon1er]

I would definitely collect matt 54/60mm Franco-Prussian War figures. I would also consider high-end gloss figures, similar to Britains' Regiments series.

I just love the aesthetic.

 

[theBaron]

Thanks.
I wish there were personality figures in action poses for the war: Napoleon III, Bismarck, Gambetta to name a few. The Mokarex and Mignot ones are all that I have seen.

I would also like some figures based on the Paris Commune.

MikeNick

As far as personality figures go, Stadden produced figures of Bismarck and Wilhelm I. He depicted Bismarck in the uniform of the 7th Kürassier regiment, in which he was a reserve officer. That's the white Kollet, breeches, and boots.

He also produced a figure of Bavarian General von der Tann. As I recall, he wears the fore-and-aft cocked hat.

Stadden also produced a figure of Napoleon III.

The rest of his Franco-Prussian War catalog was made up of various soldiers from different arms of service from Prussia, Bavaria, and France, but not depicting any particular person.

Those were all in the custom figure range, so they were animated into various poses at the customer's request. They can be found on the second-hand market, and I think they also made it into the Tradition catalog, because I've seen the kits, with bases cast integrally with the figures. And the Bavarian infantry are immediately recognizable with their Raupenhelm and its wool crest.

Prost!
Brad

 

[MikeNick]

As far as personality figures go, Stadden produced figures of Bismarck and Wilhelm I. He depicted Bismarck in the uniform of the 7th Kürassier regiment, in which he was a reserve officer. That's the white Kollet, breeches, and boots.

He also produced a figure of Bavarian General von der Tann. As I recall, he wears the fore-and-aft cocked hat.

Stadden also produced a figure of Napoleon III.

The rest of his Franco-Prussian War catalog was made up of various soldiers from different arms of service from Prussia, Bavaria, and France, but not depicting any particular person.

Those were all in the custom figure range, so they were animated into various poses at the customer's request. They can be found on the second-hand market, and I think they also made it into the Tradition catalog, because I've seen the kits, with bases cast integrally with the figures. And the Bavarian infantry are immediately recognizable with their Raupenhelm and its wool crest.

Prost!
Brad

Brade,
Hi.
Would you mind submitting photos?
Thanks,., MikeNick

 

[theBaron]

Brade,
Hi.
Would you mind submitting photos?
Thanks,., MikeNick

Sorry, but I don't have any. You can have a look at Tradition's website, though.

Prost!
Brad