Rhodian or Agrianian Slinger

 

This is the Rhodian or Agrianian Slinger that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 12s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 12.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 12 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB 12 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

I didn't have a raw metal version of this figure and someone has clearly made a start on this one by painting his sling. Why it all ended there we shall never know! 

Staff Slinger

 

This is the Staff Slinger that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 13s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 13.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 13 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB 13 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

Along with the slinger and javelinman from this range, this is a very slender and nicely proportioned figure, not unlike the 'S' range ancients that it replaced in overall appearance.

Ptolemy

 

This is the figure of Ptolemy that appeared as part of the Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars range as PBP 5  - for 'Phil Barker Personalities'. 

The model is not taken from the book despite the code designation, but forms part of a small range of 'general' figures.

The figure appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue and the 75 catalogue under the same code. 

Unlike the troopers in this range, the base doesn't carry the code number, and instead is stamped 'PTOLEMY'.

Although intended as a commander he makes a very attractive officer for any Hellenistic infantry unit. 

Libyan Spearman

 

This is the Libyan Spearman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB49s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 49.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 49 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB49 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

As is generally the case, there is a thick-spear and a thin-spear version of this chap, this being the thinner variant. 

This is not a great casting - but all the forty odd examples I have are the same so perhaps it's not untypical. There is a bit of sinkage of the shield, which can be remedied with a little putty. The right half of the face is mostly obscured by what looks like a tear in the mould, and the plume is leaning off to one side. The boss on the shield also has a tear in the model, though this can be trimmed back fairly easily. 

Hopefully there are better examples to be had! 

Carthaginian Citizen Spearman

 

This is the Carthaginian Citizen Spearman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 44s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 44.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 44 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB 44 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

This example has the chunky style spear, which is truly enormous, getting on a pike really. A later version had a more slender version of the weapon. 

Spanish Caetratus

 

This is the Spanish Caetratus that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 50s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 50.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 50 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB 50 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

This figure has the chunky version of the javelin - it was re-modelled with a finer weapon at some point. 

It's not often you find a figure in pristine condition like this, so I thought I'd photograph it warts and all before I got carried away and added it to my Spanish army. 

As you can see the javelin has been carried over behind the figure and into the base - to carry the metal through to the rear end of the javelin when the figure was cast. Obviously, the customer is expected to cut this off! 

Similar feeds were often modelled into the ends of spears or bows, and sometimes you find them dutifully painted on the completed model as if they were part of the figure. 

South Gaulish Javelinman

 

This is the South Gaulish Javelinman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 57s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 57.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 57 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB 57 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The figure is in the typical Minifigs pose for javelinmen, one that presumably makes the figure easier to cast because it's rather an uncomfortable method of holding a javelin! In this case the javelin is definitely one of the chunkier variety - and as is the case throughout the range there is also a - presumably later - version with thin javelin. 

Libyan Javelinman

This is the Libyan Javelinman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 48s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 48.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 48 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB 48 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The javelin on this example is extremely thin and prone to breaking. Note that there is an additional javelin carried in the left hand - I have never seen one where the top of the javelin protrudes over the shield as I'm sure was intended. I imagine a 'thick' javelin version preceded this one - although I have yet to find  an example.

 

Carthaginian Infantry Officer with Standard

 

This is the Carthaginian Infantry Officer with Standard that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 43s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 43.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 43 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB 43 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The standard design with its circular motif is something of a misinterpretation of the actual Carthaginian symbol, which is open at the top more like a lyre shape. However, it's distinctive, and it looks the part, so we shall not quibble.

Like the Macedonian Infantry Officer PB1, the figure has been give a little extension at the front of the base to give it some stability. Also like the his Macedonian counterpart, with a little modification the same figure could serve in a variety of Hellenistic armies.

This model is prone to breaking off at the ankles or where the trailing foot touches the ground and is hard to repair once it's off the base completely. 

Indian Archer

 

This is the Indian Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 27s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 27.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 27 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB 27 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The archer is in a typical Minifigs pose and is armed with a huge bow and equally vast arrows.

Syrian Archer

This is the Syrian Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 24s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 24.

Both PB ranges are based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 24 in AMPW.

The 's' designation distinguished the new style 25mm range from the older and smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon completed and the 's' was dropped from all codes throughout the Minifigs range.

The base is stamped PB 24 on the upper surface in the usual Minifigs fashion.

The figure exhibits some interesting - and typical - traits of Minifigs archers and this range in general. 

The first thing to note is that the models were sculpted from the pre-publication drawings, and perhaps this is why they rarely take account of the accompanying text. In this case the archer is described as having a dagger by way of side-arm, but as this was on the other side of the figure to the drawing it didn't make it onto the figure. 

Another feature that is typical of Minifigs archers is that the arrow is placed on the wrong side of the bow stave - i.e. to the right as opposed to the left. Quite why I have no idea. 

 

Aetolian or Agrianian Javelinman

 

This is the Aetolian or Agrianian Javelinman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 15s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 15.

Both PB ranges are based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 15 in AMPW.

The 's' designation refers to the then new style 25mm sized models as opposed to the earlier and smaller 1/72nd range. The 's' - standing for special - was quickly dropped once the entire range had been upgraded. 

The base is stamped PB 15 on the upper surface in the usual Minifigs style.

Overall - a typical Minifigs javelin pose and a pleasing little model not far from the preceding Ancient 'S' range in terms of overall anatomy. 

Garrison and Minifigs Compared

 

Most of my 70s ancient armies are Minifigs but not all by any means, and after Minifigs what I have most of was made by Greenwood & Ball as part of their Garrison range.  G&B also sold larger models under their own brand name as well as Sanderson and Lasset, but Garrison was their 'wargames' size range. My first proper 'armies' of metal wargames figures were the original '20mm' Garrison Imperial Roman and Gauls.

Although described as 20mm these original Garrison figures were more properly 1/72nd, or HO/OO and made so as to be more or less compatible with the Airfix figures of the day. So, in the case of Garrison, a 20mm figure is more like 23-24mm.

In 1973 Garrison began to replace their older 20mm range with a newly designed 25mm range by John Braithwaite. 

The 25mm sized range includes a variety of periods as well as the ancients and medieval subjects that are my particular interest. Various catalogues and many wonderful pictures of these ranges can be found on the excellent The Eastern Garrison website. 

When the revised ancients were introduced, Garrison reused their old code numbers, which can make catalogue lists a little confusing. The first models to be released were the Gladiators and a selection of Greeks: these new models are reviewed in Military Modelling of June 1973. 

Garrison figures carry their code numbers underneath the base. This is G4 Hoplite Corinthian helmet attacking (G for Greece). Because of the way the code numbers are incised underneath the base, these can sometimes be found filed away where a base has been levelled flat. Cavalry figures have the code number under the horse's base: Garrison made a specific horse for each rider rather than have separate rider and horse codes as did Minifigs.

Although both are described as 25mm there is an obvious difference in size between the offerings from the two manufacturers. 

This is a comparison between the Minifigs Mercenary Hoplite from the PB range and the Garrison Hoplite in Corinthian helmet from the Greek range. They are in similar poses, although the Garrison figure more properly represents a Hoplite of the Persian wars period. 

The Garrison figure starts off with a height advantage courtesy of his chunkier base, in both instances typical of their manufacturers. Measuring from foot to top of where the head would be - I make the Minifigs 25mm and the Garrison 27mm - proving that, when it comes to rival wargames manufacturers, scale creep is nothing new. 

Roman Princeps or Triarius

 

This is the Roman Princeps or Triarius that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 40s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 40.

Both PB ranges are based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is a composite of illustrations 40 and 41 of AMPW - hence there is no code PB 41 in the range. 

As always the 's' designation indicates the figure is designed to the then new 25mm size. The designation - standing for 'special' - was dropped once Minifigs had upgraded their entire range to the new size from the previous, smaller, 1/72nd scale. 

The code number is stamped on the base in the standard fashion - this example is actually stamped PB 40s , which would suggest it comes from an early production batch. 

The figure carries the earlier, rather thick style of spear. Later castings would be favoured with a finer weapon that is prone to breaking. 

Rolling together the Princeps and Triarius is rather an odd thing to do considering that the Triarii were the veteran corps of citizens and likely to be the best armed and equipped of the whole army. This chap has only his shield to hide behind and possibly a chest plate obscured by the shield. It's a shame Minifigs never produced a spear-armed and armoured model, nor a pilum-armed and unarmoured version, which would have introduced a little variety into the range. 

Roman Hastatus

This is the Roman Hastatus that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 39s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 39. 

Both PB ranges are based on Phil Barker's books Armies if the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 39 in AMPW.

The original 's' designation indicates the model is designed to the then new 25mm size rather than the previous 1/72nd range, which was being phased out at the time. Once this transition was complete Minifigs dropped the s from the codes. 

This example carries a rather chunky pilum in the style of the earlier castings, the same figure can be found with a more slender, and consequently more delicate, weapon. 

This is a nice figure on the whole, with classic Minifigs engraved mail effect for the armour. Models carrying large shields like this are prone to distortion, but this one seems to get away with it quite well. 

 

Balearic Slinger

This is the Balearic Slinger that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 52s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 52. 

Both PB ranges are based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 52 in AMPW.

The 's' designation used for the initial release indicates the figure is designed to the then new 25mm size as opposed to the older and smaller 1/72nd size. The 's' was dropped once the transition was complete. 

This is a typical Minifigs slinger pose and makes a nice purposeful-looking unit. Balearic slingers were a feature of most armies of the Western Mediterranean and this model is a common find amongst old collections. 

 

Persian Infantry Officer with Standard

 

This is the Persian Infantry Officer with Standard that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 18s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 18. 

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 18 in AMPW. 

The 's' designation refers to the 'redesigned' 25mm size range, which was gradually replacing the previous and smaller 1/72nd ranges at this time. The 's' designation was dropped once the transition was complete.