POLL -- Which later Louis XIV French?

[khurasan_miniatures]

Work is about to start on the later Louis XIV French in 15 mil, but dress and equipment changed a bit between 1660 and 1700. Also the army's cavalry changes its style a bit from period to period, from cavaliers to impact horse to pistol-pistol.

So here's a poll, which period would you like most to see? I'm going to add one more subdivision not in the army list, as uniforms changed between 1670 and 1690, so I'm going to further break that into two parts. Please vote, thanks!

[Delbruck]

The French wars of the the 2nd half of the 17th century don't exactly fit neatly into the Late Louis XIV list:

War of Devolution 1667–68
Franco-Dutch War 1672–78
War of the Reunions 1683–84
Nine Years' War 1688–97

Personally, I would break the French infantry down into only two main uniform types (based on the major wars):
Franco-Dutch period: high cuffs, left & right shoulder belts, no waistbelt, 12 apostles, floppy hats (some turned up on one or two sides).
Nine Years War period: lower cuffs, waistbelt, left should belt carrying cartridge box, floppy hats (all turned up - some on three sides as informal tricornes).

In many ways the Franco-Dutch War is the most interesting for the French with both Turenne and Conde still on the scene. And the uniforms have a lot of appeal.

But in the end I think it better to go with the uniform changes of the last decade of the century (Nine Years War), which is reasonably useful for both the War of the Spanish Sucession and the Franco-Dutch War.

BTW, it's good to see Khurasan still looking at possible future releases.

[khurasan_miniatures]

The French infantry had more than two dress changes in the period 1660-1700, hence my breakdown. For instance the post 1683 uniform looks different from the pre-1683 dress, and then from about 1691 the hat was buttoned up on one side. The uniform from 1660-to about 1670 also was more like the armies of earlier decades in many ways. So the line really has to commit to one of those basic appearances, and I'd like to get a sense of which people want.

BTW, it's good to see Khurasan still looking at possible future releases.

We've temporarily suspended sales but that's because it's all consuming and something else all consuming has come up! Once that is dealt with the store will be turned back on.

Actually depending on the outcome of something this week I may be able to turn on a "mini-store" with maybe 20-40 products, a simple one page store, including some historical models -- most likely the new Conquistadores and the Chinantecs, possibly the new 17th C Iroquois -- all because I've worked very hard to get these armies ready for Cities of Gold, and the work is virtually complete; the Thirty Years War models (which will soon include the infantry and the artillery); and the Chaco War models, which will soon include the machine guns and mortar teams for Bolivians and Paraguayans. Also some sci fi and fantasy stuff of course, which are major sellers indeed.

I should be able to turn the full store back on in August, hopefully even sooner.

[khurasan_miniatures]

Ive noted that this thread has (as of this reply) about 160 hits but only 11 votes in the poll. Is this a less than interesting army?

[kevinj]

It's an intersting army, but I wouldn't know which option to vote for unless I decided to get the army and put some research in.

[khurasan_miniatures]

I've decided to make generic 1680s troops at first. This is a good period for generics, as one has Sedgemoor, Tangiers and the Turkish Wars. The War of the League of Augsburg also begins in the late 1680s.

I'll have French made for the same period (later uniform cut but with apostles) assuming these do well.

So these will be suitable for virtually all armies but the French, and will be:

1) march attack (shouldered muskets) and
2) shooting (with both standing and kneeling poses made)

Thanks for the input!

[hazelbark]

1) march attack (shouldered muskets) and
2) shooting (with both standing and kneeling poses made)

I don't know about others but I am less keen on march attack poses. I have too many napoleonic and SYW in this pose. It makes the basing easier. But the figures look stale too often.

[Delbruck]

So these will be suitable for virtually all armies but the French, and will be:

1) march attack (shouldered muskets) and
2) shooting (with both standing and kneeling poses made)

Thanks for the input!

I can live with either, although I like the marching Front Rank figure (left):



I think marching rather than march attack works better in this period.

Loading and shooting is fine, but I hate kneeling and shooting.

And pike must be upright.

I've decided to make generic 1680s troops at first. This is a good period for generics, as one has Sedgemoor, Tangiers and the Turkish Wars. The War of the League of Augsburg also begins in the late 1680s.

Generic figures are better than army specific. Reasonable choice.

[khurasan_miniatures]

As an update, here's what was has been made so far.

Infantry with matchlocks and apostles, musket over shoulder (3 poses)
Ditto, shooting (x2 kneeling and x2 standing)
Infantry command (officer/drummer/standard)
Unarmoured pike in hat
Armoured pike in hat

Armoured Cavalry in zischagge with carbine in hand
Armoured Cavalry command (officer in zischagge, plus unarmoured standard bearer)

High commanders (two different)

Hungarian Hussars (three different plus a standard bearer)
Hungarian Armoured Hussars with lance (three different)
Hungarian general in armour with winged helmet, mace
Hungarian Haiduk infantry with muskets (three different, two in Hungarian-style Haiduk hat, one in the taller "sponge hat"

Although many of these can be used generically, the focus of the first stage is to allow gamers to field German/Austrian armies of the 1670s-1680s and the Kuruc rebellion Hungarian army (although the Hussars made do not have bows, I should hasten to add). There will be many second tier modifications to the first tier, such as swapping the carbine on the European heavy cavalry for a pistol, and swapping the zischagge for a three barred English pot. The Hungarian horse has the big panzerstecher sword hanging from the saddle, but perhaps a good way to distinguish normal from veteran hussars is to remove that, so that will also be in round 2.

It may or may not be possible to modify the models to represent French as well, namely --

Add a romanesque helmet to the armoured pikeman
Move everyone's cuffs up the arm and add ribbon epaulettes to the shoulder(s)

And new cavalry would be needed as well, unarmoured in hat.

Anyway, the models are fun and I hope to have them available a bit later this year.

[Delbruck]

Good info, the Hugarians are also very interesting.

No bows for the hussrs , they are much better than dirty carbines

[Skullzgrinda]

I think you will do very well with this range. The overlap between Renaissance and 'Horse and Musket' will get you extra sales I am sure.

If I did not have a cubic foot of unpainted WSS I would be very tempted indeed.

[Gallocelt]

Hello khurasan_miniatures,

I don't have the benefit of size comparisons from the summer website as the link is kaput. I have done some research on the net and found rather contradictory info:

Sarmatians:

"With regards to size the Khurasan figures are “true” 15mm, and
would likely fit well with manufacturers such as Essex."

Swiss:

"I made some quick size comparisons with Venexia Italian Wars 15's
and Old Glory 15's. The Khurasan Miniatures are about the same height
as the Venexia, perhaps 1 mm shorter (maybe 16mm to the eye). As I
mentioned above, the figures are proportioned well, meaning they are
not "fat" by an stretch of the imagination. Some may consider them
thin, or slight of build, but to me they have realistic proportions."

Perhaps the different Khurasan 15mm ranges vary with respect to height. It would be of use to me to have some idea what size the new Louis XIV range will be. I'm rather excited about them as I have begun acquiring and seeking 15mm figures for the Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678). If possible please let me know about what size these figures will be as compared to other manufacturers like Essex, Donnington, and Irregular.

Cheers! - Gallo

[yar68]

I'm in the middle of painting up an Anglo/Dutch army for the Battles of Steenkirke and Landen in the 1690's, I'd be interested in some of the figures, I'm using Essex mainly at the moment, but its always good to have a bit of diversity, most other ranges don't fit well with Essex, so hopefully these will.

Ray

http://onelover-ray.blogspot.com/search/label/NYW

[Delbruck]

I'm in the middle of painting up an Anglo/Dutch army for the Battles of Steenkirke and Landen in the 1690's, I'd be interested in some of the figures, I'm using Essex mainly at the moment, but its always good to have a bit of diversity, most other ranges don't fit well with Essex, so hopefully these will.

Ray

http://onelover-ray.blogspot.com/search/label/NYW

Agreed, more choice is a very good thing. The Essex range is somewhat limited, but...

Essex probably has somewhat more options than is apparent. Dismounted dragoons can be painted as regular foot, you can scrap the lace off guard figures to also use as regulars, and head swaps aren't difficult.

[Gallocelt]

Hi Ray,

I checked out your blog and many photos there. Amazing! You are doing great work and I'll have to look in from time to time for inspiration.

Cheers! - Gallo

[yar68]

Hi Gallo,

Glad you like my blog!!! Drop in anytime

Ray

[Gallocelt]

I was recently in contact with Khurasan Miniatures regarding their "1680's" Range of 15mm miniatures soon to be released. As I understand it, these figures will be out by the end of the year or "hopefully sooner". Sizewise they will be "15mm to the eye," making them probably most compatible with Minifigs 15mm Spanish Succession range (that's my guess). I did some research on the internet about the size of their miniatures. One poster stated that about 16mm to the eye was typical, I understand from the Khurasan Miniatures website that their Thirty Years War range was made larger to be compatible with taller ranges of 15s like Testudo.

This is from the Khurasan Miniatures website:

"Models titled "Thirty Years War" are large 15mm, all others are approximately 15mm to eye"

I'm very excited about this range considering the quality I've seen from the photos of their painted 15mm historical miniatures.

[ravenflight]

Hi,

I'm likely to be building a post 1691 Louis XIV army in about 6 months time (I hope - it's my next project, but I have three projects to finish before I can start that one).

I'm not trying to push your hand at all, but from what I've seen of your miniatures so far I'd happily buy them, but only if they were a complete set in 6 months time... otherwise I'd go with Venexia and/or Eureka who I'm in contact with about getting the Louis XIV done.

[Delbruck]

Hi,

I'm likely to be building a post 1691 Louis XIV army in about 6 months time (I hope - it's my next project, but I have three projects to finish before I can start that one).

I'm not trying to push your hand at all, but from what I've seen of your miniatures so far I'd happily buy them, but only if they were a complete set in 6 months time... otherwise I'd go with Venexia and/or Eureka who I'm in contact with about getting the Louis XIV done.

Eureka?

[ravenflight]

Eureka?

Yes