MiniFigs 1st Generation Stonewall Brigade

These are another of my eBay rescue efforts. They are 1st Generation Miniature Figurines in 25mm. For you youngsters out there who don't know, Minifigs was once a colossus in 25mm wargaming. Minifigs had lines in just about everything.

I first came across Minifigs way back in the mid-1970s. My first purchases were the British Infantry for the American War of Independence. They were first-generation, and sadly, I no longer have them. 

Being nostalgic for the old metal minis, I began to seek Minifigs and other 25mm figures out on eBay.

I found this lot with a few command figures relatively cheap. They needed a lot of work, and I saved these six out of eight or nine infantry figures.

I chose an early war uniform from the famous Stonewall Brigade for the repaint.

I have them mounted on temporary bases for potential use in a Rebel's and Patriots skirmish game.

Miniature Figurines 2nd Generation are still available today from the UK under Matchlock Miniatures.

The officer needed a lot of work. Keeping the saber on the figure was a challenge, but I didn't want to cut it off and insert a pin. 

The Minifigs ACW line always looked a little Napoleonic to me. Many of the poses featured backpack and blanket roll, and a full dress look to the uniform.

I believe the pose is called high port. A unit of Minifigs all in the same pose is impressive imo.

Today the 28mm manufacturers have all but conquered the market and 25mm figures are rare. I think Minifigs have a classic toy soldier look like most manufacturers from the 1970s and 80s.

Scruby Mexican American War US Regulars

Back in the day, meaning the late 1960s and early 70's metal figures for wargaming were rare in the US. One exception to this was Jack Scruby. Jack was a pioneer in American Wargaming. He created figures in various wargaming scales. 

My first metal wargaming figures were 20mm hoplites and phalanx from Jack Scruby miniatures. They are long gone now (sadly) having been replaced by English figures by Miniature Figurines, Hinchcliffe and Garrison. 

They too are long gone although I'm working to replace some in the old classic scale of 25mm or one inch. 

So, when I got back into the hobby in 2014 I decided to collect a few of the old metal figures in addition to my interests in 1\72 plastics. I started with eBay searches and found some Jack Scruby Americans and Mexicans in Scruby 25mm. 

Later I supplentnted what I found by finding that Scruby miniatures had been taken over by Historifigs, a copmany out of Baraboo, WI, my home state. Sadly, for about a year now, Historifigs seems to be out of business, although the website is still up. Email inquiries have not been answered. 

I painted up my one unit of US Regulars by Jack Scruby. I like the old toy soldier look of Scruby miliatures and so used gloss coat to seal them. I'm not sure what happended to Historifigs but they filled a nostalgia itch for me. Here's my unit of US Regulars by Jack Scruby, painted by yours truly.