Slitherine

Hi,

here is a early picture of the new line of Sassanids I'm developing.



Has anyone got a comment? While its not too late to change.

thanks

Simon

If they match up well with other existing lines and you include the King of Kings seated on his golden throne - yea baby!!

Indeed.

Looks very nice

A couple of comments:
1/2 armored horses were probably only used at the very end of the empire. The "average" armored horse archer would probably have unbarded horses, and would lack leg armor.

Sassanids helmets were usually fairly tall, but somewhat narrow from the front.

Are you familiar with the bulae of the four generals? The depicts a cataphract at the time of Khosrau I.



I look forward to see the final results

This is the style of helmet which should be worn by most Sassanid cavalry:

Hi Simon,

Well one comment I would have is that the half armour, whilst beloved of the 1970s and 80s as typically Sasanid only appears in one source, that a late one of Khusrau II (probably) - http://www.livius.org/a/iran/taqebostan/cave1-3.JPG - whilst earlier armour is shown as full barding - various can be seen at http://www.livius.org/sao-sd/sassanids/ ... liefs.html, especially http://www.livius.org/fa-fn/firuzabad/f ... lief1.html - so if nothing else I'd label is as "Late Sasanid"

I'd also point to the different quivers between the Khusrau relief and the earlier ones, and that the one you have modelled does not really look like either, although it looks more like the earlier variety.

Not sure about that short sword (or long dagger) on the right hip either, although without having a picture of the other side of the figure it is hard to say if it is the only side arm. Sasanid swords are fairly long as can be seen at http://www.livius.org/a/iran/naqs-e_raj ... ur_I_3.JPG - see alos these pics of samples from the British Museum - http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/nikgaukro ... 4269902850 and http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/nikgaukro ... 9339969458

I'd also like to see some helmets like these BM examples:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/nikgaukro ... 5584539858

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/nikgaukro ... 1386911378

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/nikgaukro ... 2992899074


Realise that may all sound a bit negative, it isn't meant to be, and I hope it helps.

nikgaukroger wrote:I'd also point to the different quivers

Old habits die hard then Nik

Delbruck wrote: 1/2 armored horses were probably only used at the very end of the empire. The "average" armored horse archer would probably have unbarded horses, and would lack leg armor.

Hum, not sure about that. IIRC the equipment requirements of Khusrau I included horse armour and leg armour for the rider so it may be rash to assume that the "average" wouldn't have it.

philqw78 wrote:

nikgaukroger wrote:I'd also point to the different quivers

Old habits die hard then Nik

Vitally important getting the quivers right

Realise that may all sound a bit negative, it isn't meant to be, and I hope it helps.

No , I'd rather here is now while it there is opportunity to change.

As a general comment there will a lot of other mounted types, horse with full and no barding etc. . The idea behind the break waist (not only make it easier on the casting planes) was to allow flexibility on mix and match torso/horse

Suffice to say there will be quite a few possible variations.

I know that wargamers can be anal in the detail but it all helps to get the product right for market. I'd like this to be the premier option for this period.

Here are a few other shots - and comments are greatfully recieved. I was hoping for launch at Britcon - but life had a habit of getting in the way... so there is couple months of grace now

thanks

Couple more thoughts.

I don't think we have any suggestion of a bow case in which a strung bow can be stored for the Sasanids and looking at the reliefs the riders feet are always below the belly of the horse (toes pointing down as there are no stirrups if we want to get very anal).

You analyse the evidence better than most Nik

Simon, very nice stuff indeed. Is there going going to be a foot spearmen? Hopefully these will have a helmet instead of the "globe hat" everyone else insists on giving them. Perhaps also with removal shields like these:



Nik, I agree with most of your comments. Armor would undoubtedly vary within a unit. What the "average" armor would look like is anyone's guess, but it would certainly be less than the ideal.

From my perspevtive the two things missing from the greens which most characterized Sassanid cavalry is:

1. Long Iranian sword (your swords look much to short), and
2. Tall "parthian style cap" helmet (as Nik and I illustrated above)

BTW, unarmored horses should also have docked/tied tails.

Is there going to be just one of each type of model, lots of variation would be a real winner!

Delbruck wrote: BTW, unarmored horses should also have docked/tied tails.

Not sure that is correct. It is difficult to tell on some of the reliefs, and some horses tails may well be tied, but some clearly aren't - for example.

Is there going to be just one of each type of model, lots of variation would be a real winner!

no, several of each... these are just the first

thanks

Simon

Is there going going to be a foot spearmen?

Yes, a full range, the globe hat is under discussion. The shields will be as you have shown here

thanks

Simon

Do you have an estimated release date?

These really are impressive greens.

These ARE 15mm, are they not?

Do you have an estimated release date?

Early Oct hopefully....

definitely by Christmas

and yes, they are 15mm

as an aside they will be sold by battle group, with leader/standards included.

There will be suitably herioc figures for General bases... and a baggage camp

Excellent. I have had bits and bobs of Sassanid lead for about 24 years now - never painted them because the minis were just not that inspiring. I remain very fond of the army historically.

Your Sassanid minis are superb, and I may just finish the project after all with such inspirational sculpts!