Thursday, April 26, 2018

Great Oxfam find!

The Oxfam charity shop in Broomhill ("The prettiest suburb in England" - John Betjeman) on the west side of Sheffield is ever-reliable as a source of unexpected second-hand books.  This weekend I found:


It's been on my look-out-for-it list for a while but I didn't think find a copy outside of Ireland, it being a description of the clothing and uniforms worn by rebels and crown forces during the 1798 and 1803 risings in that country.  It also being only six quid was a definite bonus.

With 26 full colour lates and extensive notes on each it's pretty indispensable for anyone trying to put together wargames forces for the 1798.

The United Irishmen's Rebellion (as it's also known) is a bit of a side project for me.  The plan is to put together two Sharp Practice forces in 20mm scale using carefully selected and converted plastic figures.

The insurgents are the hardest to source.  I'm working on conversions of HaT Spanish guerrillas at present.  The Government forces have some repurposed Prussians and Royal Marines at the moment and Highlanders will provide me with a force of Reay's Fencibles.  Oh and a box of HaT early-Napoleonic French infantry in bicornes will do for General Humbert's expeditionary force.  Just need to find some British dragoons in Tarleton helmets and French hussars in mirlitons.






8 comments:

Colkitto said...

For the cavalry, what about the Strelets Napoleon in Egypt sets? (The French infantry might do you too!)

Counterpane said...

Cheers, Colkitto, I had identified that set as potentially useful. Do you have them? Are they OK figures?

I'd like to use the Trent Miniatures 28mm models but that'll have to wait until a previously unknown rich uncle leaves me a South African diamond mine in his will.

Fire at Will said...

Ditto re the Strelets British Light Dragoons in Egypt set, I've got some painted on my blog.

http://willwarweb.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/british-12th-light-dragoons-1801.html

For the Hussars in Mirlitons, either the Zvezda or Revell SYW Prussian Hussars, the Zvezda are really lovely, but the Revell ones are a better fit with the Strelets.

Will

Fire at Will said...

Oh, and I've got some some spare Hussars depending on how many you need.

Colkitto said...

No I've not actually got them - trying very hard not to start another (sub)period! Fortunately the last time my willpower crumbled the local shop had sold out - but I fear it may only be a matter of time before I fall off the wagon ...

Colkitto said...

And actually, aren't HaT working on a set of British cavalry? Or am I thinking of the one they bungled and produced in 28mm?

Counterpane said...

Will,

Using Sharp Practice, the cavalry come in Groups of 8 so the ideal number would be nine (a Group and a Leader).

See you at Gauntlet?

Fire at Will said...

OK, I'll put 9 to one side. See you at Gauntlet