' Damn the heat and the flies!
Iron Duke Miniatures
THE ORANGE RIVER RANGE
Southern Africa in the 1840s & 1850s.
Basotho warriors skirmishing.
(Painted by MS).
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OR 1 British Line or Light Infantry, skirmish line, coatees, peaked Kilmarnocks, regulation crossbelt equipment, blanket packs, P1842 percussion muskets. (8 figs). (£16.00).
[For Command Figures see OR 8, 10 and especially 14. For more infantrymen of this type (at the double) see also OR 20 & OR 34].
Particularly suited for the 43rd (The Monmouthshire) Regiment (Light Infantry) in Southern Africa in 1852. Note that the 43rd removed the light infantry wings from its coatees at this time. Many of the line regiments in South Africa similarly removed their shoulder straps when taking the field. The 43rd LI fought against the amaXhosa in the Eastern Cape (see our 'Waterkloof' Range) during the second year of the 8th Cape Frontier War and against the Basotho at the Battle of Berea. The regiment was unusual, amongst all the others involved in the 8th CFW in adhering so strictly to regulation equipment. Other units soon adopted locally made waistbelts, with belly-box pouches and slip on bayonet frogs, enabling the regulation bayonet belt (the right-shoulder crossbelt) to be dropped. That said the 6th (The Royal 1st Warwickshire) Regiment and the 91st (The Argyllshire) Regiment are likely to have looked much like the 43rd in the early actions of the 8th CFW. We do not know for sure whether or not the 45th and 91st Regiments wore peaks on their Kilmarnocks at the Battle of Boomplaats, during the Pretorius Rebellion of 1848 in the Orange River Sovereignty, but, that one area of uncertainty aside, the figures would otherwise be suitable for Boomplaats. We have a parallel code, OR 11, (scroll down), in which the figures do not have peaks on their Kilmarnocks and their wool-tufted shoulder straps are still in place.
OR 1B British Line or Light Infantry, skirmish line, coatees, peaked Kilmarnocks, regulation crossbelt equipment, blanket packs, P1842 percussion muskets. (8 figs). (£16.00).
[For Command Figures see OR 8, 10 and especially 14. For more infantrymen of this type (at the double) see OR 20 & OR 34.
This is a set of headswap conversions from Code OR 1, intended simply to add a little more facial variety to larger units: in essence those figures that were bearded in OR 1 are clean-shaven in this set and vice versa. Also we've added a second 'at the ready' pose, in lieu of the figure standing and biting a cartridge open, which is too distinctive to repeat too often in the sort of units that we like at IDM.
UTILITY OF OUR BASOTHO FIGURES
Our Basotho figures are suitable for the period 1840-1880, including 'Major Warden's War', (1851) the Battle of Berea (1852), the conflicts with the Orange Free State in the 1850s and 60s and the 'Gun War' (1880). Note, however, that by the time of the Gun War at the tail-end of the bracket, a much higher proportion of warriors would have been wearing hats and European clothing, and that some few of them would have been armed with rifles, including breech-loaders like the Snider-Enfield. We'll be fielding dismounted Basotho skirmishers and horseholder sets in the summer of 2022. There will be sets of walking and standing horses coming out at much the same time, so as to provide still more variety.
BASOTHO CODES
Above: OR 2 Mounted Basotho Set I: "Chief Molapo's Band." (6 riders and horses). (£28.50).
Molapo ‘Jeremiah’ Moshoeshoe, (1814–1880), aged 37 at the Battle of Berea (20 December 1852), was the second son of Chief Moshoeshoe’s First House. At the Battle of Viervoet, during 'Major Warden's War' of July 1851, Molapo had commanded one of three Basotho cavalry divisions. At Berea he again commanded a major mounted formation, embracing both Basotho warriors and an allied Bataung contingent led by the sons of Chief Molitsane. Conventionally said to be 700 strong, my own research leads me to believe that Molapo's division was almost certainly twice that size. Evidently a commander possessed of real 'cavalry dash', Molapo surprised Lt-Col George Napier's cavalry 'brigade', (it was only 2 squadrons strong), as it was retiring from Berea Mountain with 4,000 captured cattle. The rearguard half-troop, under the supervision of Maj. William Tottenham, the acting CO of the 12th Lancers, was very badly mauled in a chaotic withdrawal from the mountain. Tottenham himself played a genuinely heroic role in the retreat and was fortunate enough to survive. Subsequently Molapo had some of his warriors dress up in the jackets and white forage caps of the dead lancers. Carrying captured lances and formed up like cavalrymen, the impostors rode towards Colonel William Eyre's infantry column, on another part of the plateau. Eyre mistook them for General Cathcart's escort and rode towards them, accompanied by his headquarters staff officers and the handful of lancers that had been assigned to his column. Eyre was obliged to defend himself with his revolver but was able to gallop to safety. His DAQMG, (effectively his chief of staff), Captain Walter Faunce, 73rd Regt., was less fortunate. Reportedly a poor horseman, Faunce was hemmed in, taken prisoner and clubbed to death some short while later. After fighting Eyre's infantry for a couple of hours, Molapo led his people down from Berea to participate in the climax of the battle around Pelea's Kraal in the Phutiatsana (or Little Caledon) river valley, opposite Moshoeshoe's mountain-top stronghold at Thaba Bosiu.
OR 3 Mounted Basotho Set II : "Chief Jobo's' Band." (Mission Christians). (6 riders and horses). (£28.50).
Job or "Jobo", properly known as Lelosa, was a younger half-brother to the Basotho paramount, Chief Moshoshoe. Back in the 1830s Eugene Casalis of the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society (PEMS) befriended Moshoeshoe and was granted permission to establish a mission at the foot of the Thaba Bosiu. mountain-top stronghold. Lelosa converted to Christianity in 1841 and was still a senior member of Casalis's congregation in December 1852, when General Cathcart and his army drew nigh. There were French missions scattered all across Moshoeshoe's realm but none of them had more than a few score converts. The missionaries were typically accompanied by wives and children - Mrs Casalis was known to the Basotho as 'Ma Eugene' - so that consequently the converts were prevailed upon to wear European style clothes around the missions. Jobo took the Ten Commandments to heart and on the basis of 'Thou shalt not kill' faced a bona fide struggle with his conscience in advance of the Battle of Berea. In the end he took up arms and participated in the fighting. Not only did he participate, but he played a leadership role, displayed great courage and provided an inspirational example to those around him. The morning after the battle Moshoeshoe’s sons sang their uncle’s praises in the presence of the paramount. “Job was not afraid because he is a Christian,” Moshoeshoe remarked in response. Although Casalis rose high in Moshoeshoe's counsels, becoming both a friend and confidante, and effectively acting as his foreign secretary in his dealings with the British and the boere, it was expedient that the paramount adhered to the majority view amongst his people. As a result Casalis was never able to pull off his great ambition of converting the paramount himself. Moshoeshoe's aged father, Mokhachane, inevitably a great traditionalist, detested the idea of Christianity and was hostile to the French presence. Importantly PEMS policy was to side with the British in the Cape, for fear of the the threat that boer republican rule posed to Africans, so that the temporary breakdown in Anglo-Basotho relations over the period 1851-2 was in no way attributable to the French influence in 'Lesutu' [today Lesotho].
OR 4 Mounted Basotho Set III: 'Traditional Warriors'. (8 riders only). (£16.00).
What you see in the photo above is exactly what you get in OR 4. This set of 8 horsemen, with optional shields and, in two cases weapons too, is intended to allow you to bulk out your Basotho army with warriors in less idiosyncratic poses and modes of dress. They are figures representing the average generality of Moshoeshoe's army, if you will, concentrated into one code so that you don't have to repeat buy the more characterful figures in other codes. Obviously there are no horses in this set. To mount them you would need to buy separately two of our 4-horse code THEM 1, which can be viewed at the THEM Range drop-down page of the website. When mounted they look like the illustrative photos next below.
ILLUSTRATIVE: One set of OR 4 'Traditional Warriors' mounted on two sets of THEM 1 horses.
OR 5 Mounted Basotho Set IV. 'Later Basotho'....[albeit they don't have to be later!]. (6 riders and 6 horses). (£28.50).
In this set we've provided a group of warriors, two thirds of them in traditional straw hats, that would more particularly suit Moshoeshoe's wars with the Orange Free State in the 1850s and 1860s. They could also be used for the Gun War of 1880, albeit they are still armed with the same 'roer' flintlocks with which they fought the British, local boere and other tribes in the days of the Orange River Sovereignty, i.e. up to 1853. There is no reason, accordingly, why they could not be used to represent warriors from the earlier period equally as well. To generate a good sized mounted army you would wish to mix your purchases across our several codes, by increasing the proportion of men in hats and European style clothing the later the year you are aiming for. Such an approach will obviously govern the overall 'look' of your army; a more traditionally African look earlier, with a bit more European style clobber around later. This set enables you to better target your shopping according to need. See also OR 9 'The Griquas'....[and others].
OR 6 Mounted Basotho Set V. ‘More Traditional Warriors.’ (6 riders and horses). (£28.50).
Three of the horses have shields slung on their flanks and there are three loose shields to be fixed to the warriors (or not) as you think best.
OR 7 Mounted Basotho Set VII. (8 riders only). (NYA). (£16.00)
For Horses use a combination of THEM 1, THEM 23 and THEM 24.
OR 8 Lt-Gen. the Hon. George Cathcart and officers. (5 figures, 4 horses). (£21.00).
The personality figure at the far right of the frame is based very directly on a lithograph of General Cathcart and his staff at the Battle of Berea. The lithograph was based in its turn on an oil painting by Thomas Goodrich who had been present at Berea as a lieutenant in the Cape Mounted Rifles (CMR). General Cathcart also led Anglo-colonial forces against the amaXhosa in the 8th Cape Frontier War, for which this set is also eminently suitable.
In the foreground is an infantry officer on foot, clad in a red shell jacket. If you are painting him for the 43rd Light Infantry, the top of his cap is green, but for other regiments and the staff it would be dark blue. The hatband is black for line and light infantry alike. His waistbelt and sword slings are black, but his revolver holster would be a privately purchased item, more than likely in brown leather. In the infantry sword scabbards were black leather with gilt fittings, but in the cavalry they were steel. The mounted officer beside the infantry officer shielding his eyes could be a field officer (major or lieutenant-colonel) of infantry, or alternatively a staff officer in any rank from captain upwards. The frock coats are all dark blue. Staff officers' forage caps had a gold lace hatband and a gold edged peak. To the right a staff officer rides up beside the general, who is wearing an unusual forage cap for an officer, in that it has no peak. In the 1830s Cathcart had been the commanding officer of the King's Dragoon Guards and it may be that he chose to wear an antiquated pattern of regimental forage cap from that period.
At the rear is Lt Gough, 12th Lancers, whose troop provided General Cathcart's escort at the Battle of Berea. He is wearing a light cavalry officers' undress jacket, in dark blue, with matching overalls. The overalls had a broad yellow stripe down the seam. The body of the jacket is trimmed in gold lace, as are the red collar and cuffs. In undress the officers crossbelt was in plain white leather, with a black pouch. The officers with revolver holsters would not be suitable for any date prior to 1851, a big year for the revolver, when Colt and Deane & Adams both exhibited their wares at the Great Exhibition.
Lieutenant-General the Hon. George Cathcart at the Battle of Berea (20 Dec. 1852).
(Painted by MS).
OR 9 'The Griquas'...[and others]. (6 horses and riders). (£28.50).
In this set we've assembled a set of figures intended to represent the Griquas and other C19th Southern African multi-racial clans, such as the Bergenaars, Newlanders and Korana, all of which emigrated north from Cape Colony through the 1820s and 1830s, albeit they had been preceded by vanguard parties considerably earlier than that. Before Mzilikazi and the amaNdebele (Matabele) were driven north of the Limpopo (i.e. into modern-day Zimbabwe), by boer commandos proceeding along the northern axis of the Great Trek into the region that later became known as the Transvaal, (i.e. across the Vaal River as it were), they had not infrequently been accosted by large commandos of Korana and others, who raided into Ndebele territory mainly to seize livestock.
These several clans all fought from horseback, somewhat after the fashion of the 'pony and musket' tactics of the boere, or at least they preferred to do so when there were sufficient animals available to go round. All of the clans at issue tended to co-opt men of Sotho-Tswana stock into their commandos/raiding parties. This is a supremely flexible set of figures, in that there is no good reason why each figure, individually, could not also be used to portray a Basotho warrior, although certainly you need to jump one way or the other in painting them to be historically authentic, since skin pigmentation amongst Sotho-Tswana peoples would obviously tend to be darker in the average generality than was the case within the multi-racial clans, who were variously of mixed Khoekhoe, European and even Malay extraction, the last due to the long-running slaving activities of the Dutch East India Company (or VOC) in the Far East.
The flexibility of the figures does not end there. They could also be used to represent the African and Khoekhoe agterryers ('after riders') who provided an important element of most boer commandos, (notwithstanding their contribution, even their very presence, was often downplayed or erased in propagandized versions of Afrikaaner history). Equally these figures could be used as mounted Mfengu, (or 'Fingoes'), who fought as allies of the British in the Cape Frontier Wars; or as so-called 'Hottentot' auxiliaries levied to serve under British arms on the Eastern frontier. In the 8th CFW of 1850-3 a not insignificant proportion of the multi-racial population of Albany, in the Eastern Cape, rebelled against the British and fought alongside the amaNgqika Xhosa.
OR 10 British Infantry, skirmish line in action, officers and headdress variants. (5 figs). (£10.00).
Used with OR 1 and OR 1B the figures are particularly suited for the 43rd (The Monmouthshire) Regiment (Light Infantry) in 1852. Refer to the notes accompanying OR 1 for other potential uses. Note that the ramming figure does not have the same head as his counterparts in codes OR 1 and OR 1B. Also suitable for the 8th Cape Frontier War.
OR 11 British Line Infantry, skirmish line, centre company coatees, Kilmarnocks (no peak), regulation crossbelt equipment, blanket
packs, P1842 percussion muskets. Set I. (8 figs). (£16.00).
Particularly suited for the 91st (The Argyllshire) Regiment (yellow facings) in Southern Africa 1845-1851, including the the Zwartkoppies Campaign (1845); the opening of the 7th CFW (Battle of Burnshill, Defence of Fort Peddie); the Pretorius Rebellion of 1848 in the Orange River Sovereignty (Battle of Boomplaats); and the first few months of the 8th CFW ('Christmas Day Massacre', Battle of Sandile's Kop, Defence of Fort Beaufort, Defence of Fort Hare). Also good for the 6th (The Royal 1st Warwickshire) Regiment (blue facings) in the first few weeks of the 8th CFW, including the Boma Pass ambush and Defence of Fort White. Suits other regiments besides. Date Range 1844-1855. For command figures use OR 14. There are flank company figures at the next code down OR 12. For more of this troop type, (shouldered, at the double), see OR 35.
OR 12 British Line Infantry, skirmish line in action, flank company coatees, Kilmarnocks (no peak), regulation crossbelt equipment, blanket packs, P1842 percussion muskets. (8 figs). (£16.00).
Use with OR 11 (see notes above on utility). Date range 1844-1855.
OR 13 Mounted British Staff Officers in forage caps and frockcoats. (2 riders, 2 horses). (£9.50)
Suitable for 1849 onwards. [South Africa, 2nd Anglo-Sikh War, Crimea, Mutiny, China 1860].
OR14 British Line/Light Infantry Command (I). (£14.75).
Mtd regimental officer & horse, officer on foot, 2 sergeants, a sergeant-major and a bareheaded private. There were plenty of regiments in which the sergeants would not have had a 'tourie' (or 'pom pom') on top of their cap, so if you are particularly modelling one of these you might wish to file the tourie away. Use with OR 1, OR 1B and OR 10. Date range 1844-1855.
OR 15 British Line Infantry, Command (II). (NYA).
Composition tbc.
Use with OR 11 and OR 12. See the notes at OR 11 for guidance on utility. Date range 1844-55.
OR 16 Basotho Horseholders. (£20.50)
2 warriors, 6 held horses.
OR 17 Dismounted Basotho Skirmishers (I)
8 figures with various ancillaries, i.e. shields, quivers, spears etc.
The ancillaries are not expressly matched to the figure to which they are sprued; we've just added a few items to the code that you might or might not want to make use of. You'll probably not want to use all of them. The surplus shields etc can be laid on the ground beside figures on a landscaped base, which, with a musket to handle, is probably where they ended up in real life; or perhaps glued to held horses in OR 16; or they can just be discarded altogether. If you are keen on using the shields take great care in liberating them from the sprue and be sure to use a good sharp clippers or blade. Don't worry if you break one, as they were useless against firearms, so that not everybody carried one anyway.
OR 18 Dismounted Basotho Skirmishers (II).
Eight figures with various ancillaries, i.e. shields, quivers, spears etc. Includes a chief and a casualty.
Above and Below: OR 19 More Basotho Warriors. (£32.00).
Sixteen figures with various ancillaries,...muskets, axes, knobkerrie etc. Brass spears not included.
OR 20 British Line or Light Infantry, doubling at the slope, coatees, peaked Kilmarnocks,
regulation crossbelt equipment, blanket packs, P1842 percussion muskets. (4 figs).
Particularly suited for the 43rd (The Monmouthshire) Regiment (Light Infantry) in Southern Africa in 1852, including 8th CFW and Battle of Berea.
OR 20A Variant figures derived from OR 20 above. (NYA).
OR 21 12th Royal Lancers, Charging. (Set I). (£28.50).
Six riders, 6 horses. All the horses are different. Use in conjunction with OR 22 below for a 12-figure troop (or squadron).
OR 22 12th Royal Lancers, Charging (Set II; including command). (£28.50).
Six riders, including troop leader, troop sergeant and trumpeter, and 6 horses, all of which are different. Use in conjunction with OR 21 above for a 12-figure troop (or squadron). The loose carbines provided with the set include both Victoria smoothbore carbines and Lancaster DB rifled carbines, because in real life there were insufficient Lancasters to go round the whole regiment.
ILLUSTRATIVE: Codes OR 21 and OR22 together
OR 24 Cavalry Officers and Personalities. (4 riders, 4 horses & 1 figure on foot). (£23.25)
Left to Right: Lt Col. George Napier, CMR; Lt Col. Wm. Eyre, 73rd Regt.; Major General Henry Somerset, late CMR; Maj. Wm. Tottenham, 12th Lancers; an officer on foot with double-barrelled rifle (of any regiment and any rank).
Above and Below: OR 25 Cape Mounted Rifles, kilmarnocks. (Set I). (£28.50)
Six riders, 6 galloping horses. Suitable 1850-1853. Couple with OR 25A to create a 12-figure unit with command.
OR 25A Cape Mounted Rifles, kilmarnocks. (Set II). (£28.50)
Six riders including command, 6 galloping horses. Suitable 1850-1853. Couple with OR 25 to create a 12-figure unit with command.
ILLUSTRATIVE: Codes OR 25 and OR25A together:
A CMR troop or, depending on your figure ratio, a squadron of two troops perhaps. Also in the photograph is the Lt Col Napier personality figure from OR 24, which can also be put to use as an everyday regimental officer.
OR 26 Cape Mounted Rifles, kilmarnocks, mounted skirmish line. (Set III).
Six riders, 6 standing horses. Suitable 1850-1853. Couple with OR 26A to create a 12-figure unit with command.
OR 26A Cape Mounted Rifles, kilmarnocks, mounted skirmish line. (Set IV).
Six riders including command, 6 standing horses. Suitable 1850-1853. Couple with OR 26 to create a 12-figure unit. See the image immediately below.
ILLUSTRATIVE: Codes OR26 & OR 26A together to create a 12-figure unit, including 1 x officer, 1 x bugler, 1 x European sergeant, 9 x rank and file.
If you are worried about your flanks a CMR mounted skirmish line is just the thing!
OR 27 Cape Mounted Rifles (1850-53), 2 x horseholder sets. (Not yet available).
Two horseholders, 6 held horses. Suitable 8th CFW & Anglo-Basotho conflict.
OR 28 Field Gun & Royal Artillery Detachment. (£21.50)
The codes consists of the gun carriage, a choice of barrels for a 6-pounder gun or a 12-pdr howitzer, a crew of four, a mounted driver & a seated gunner to go with our limber (see THEM 29). The mule and the limber boxes in the picture on the right are there to display the figures and are not part of the set. The driver will sit comfortably on both our artillery mules (THEM 6) and our artillery horses (THEM 7). The limber kit at code THEM 29 comes with parts that will also accommodate your artillery being ox-drawn. Sets of standing and walking trek-oxen will shortly be added to the THEM Range.
ILLUSTRATIVE
Above and below: OR 29 Mule-borne rocket battery Set (Congreve 12-pdr). (£27.00)
Launcher, bipod legs, crew of three RA personnel, mounted RA horseholder, 3 mules, 2 horses, ancillaries.
OR 30 Pedi Warriors. (Not yet available).
Bapedi in the plural, Mopedi in the singular. Note that these figures can also be used as additional Basotho variants. While the Basotho are the Southern Sotho and reside in Lesotho and its surrounds, the Bapedi are the Northern Sotho and live in modern-day Mpumalanga province, which historically speaking is a swathe of the former 'Transvaal'. Today the traditional territory of the Pedi is sometimes informally referred to as 'Sekhukhuneland', after the most notable Pedi chief of the nineteenth century. In the 1870s Sekhukhune led the resistance of his people against the Boer commandos of the Transvaal Republic and, following the 1877 annexation of a by now bankrupt Transvaal, by Sir Theophilus Shepstone, the British Army and its allied auxiliary forces. Initially British forces were led by Colonel Hugh Rowlands VC, and then, after the conclusion of the Anglo-Zulu War, Lieutenant General Sir Garnet Wolseley. Much like the Basotho, the Pedi acquired plenty of trade muskets over the years, but they struggled to acquire more modern weapons in the age of the breechloader. They compensated for being outgunned with a high order of fieldcraft and sheer courage. We're offering these figures substantially because they are easy conversions from some of our existing Basotho and amaXhosa figures. If you have a collection of Zulu War period British and Boers, offered by Empress Miniatures and Perry Miniatures to name but two of the most worthy ranges, our Pedi and Xhosa figures will provide excellent alternative opponents for skirmish games involving rather less 'mass' than would a Zulu army of the era. This Pedi code will remain a one-off; there is no intention to develop a major range expressly suited to 'Sekhukhuneland' in the 1870s. Pedi dress was so everyday that gamers will also find plenty of other uses to which these figures can be put, including scenarios set in Central Africa, East Africa and West Africa alike.
OR 31 Barolong Warriors. (Not yet available).
The Barolong are of Tswana extraction. In our period they were led by Chief Moroka and lived clustered around the mountain stronghold at Thaba Nchu, which lies east of Bloemfontein and west of Thaba Bosiu, (Chief Moshoeshoe's great place in 'Lesutu'/Lesotho). During the Great Trek, in the second half of the 1830s, the Barolong supported the trekkers in their war against Chief Mzilikazi and the Ndebele [Matabele]. At the start of the 1850s they were continually at odds with the Basotho and Bataung; many cattle raids and reprisal raids took place as a result. In 'Major Warden's War' of 1851, the Barolong provided the largest of the several contingents that made up the British Resident's scratch army. Warden was seeking to humble Moshoeshoe, but at the Battle of Viervoet, (June 1851), it was the Basotho and Bataung who carried the day. The Barolong made the mistake of tarrying too long on the captured mountain top, where, having allowing themselves to become badly isolated, they suffered heavy casualties as a result of a counterstroke led by Moshoeshoe's sons. Contemporaneous illustrations show that the Barolong did not differ greatly in appearance from the Basotho and Bataung, except in so far that they used a slightly different style of shield, with four rounded wings, as reflected in the illustration above. If you don't use the shields the figure can serve equally well as Basotho.
OR 32 Basotho Hut (Resin Product). (£12.00)
OR 33 Generic Northern Nguni musket-armed warriors (13 figs). (£26.00).
We've designed these figures to be widely usable as generic C19th Africans, in the sense that they are not sporting any notable tribal distinctions. Amongst other things they are entirely suitable for amaZulu and amaNdebele [Matabele] armies, across a wide date range from the 1830s to the 1890s. Also ideal for the 'Grand Army of Natal', raised in 1838 by the English traders at Port Natal (Durban,) which consisted mainly of Northern Nguni locals, a good many of whom had been supplied by the traders with muskets. The army soon came to serious grief at the hands of King Dingane's Zulu amabutho (regiments).
OR 34 British Line Infantry, on the march, centre company coatees, Kilmarnocks (no peak), regulation crossbelt equipment, blanket packs, P1842 percussion muskets. (8 figs).
Particularly suited for the 91st (The Argyllshire) Regiment in Southern Africa 1845-1851. See notes to OR 11 for further guidance on utility. Also good for the 6th (The Royal 1st Warwickshire) Regiment in the first few weeks of the 8th CFW.
Not yet available.
OR 35 British Line Infantry, slope arms, at the double, centre company coatees, Kilmarnocks (no peak), regulation crossbelt equipment, blanket packs, P1842 percussion muskets. (8 figs).
Particularly suited for the 91st (The Argyllshire) Regiment in Southern Africa 1845-1851; see notes to OR 11 for further guidance on utility. Also good for the 6th (The Royal 1st Warwickshire) Regiment in the first few weeks of the 8th CFW.
Not yet available.
OR 36 74th Highlanders. 16 figs. (Set I). (£32.00).
The 74th Highlanders deployed to the 8th Cape Frontier War in 1851 and remained to the end. Their dress was unique. They wore their regimental trews (Lamont tartan) and canvas trooping smocks, dyed down from their original cream-white colour using boiled mimosa bark. See the full uniform guide at the 'Historical Notes' drop down menu. The set includes a kneeling sergeant, indicating a target (sixth in from the right). The 74th were heavily involved in the several attempts to clear and secure the Waterkloof stronghold. Additionally one company of the regiment took an active part in the Battle of Berea in Lesotho, (while 3 other companies were guarding the nearby British encampment).
OR 37 74th Highlanders. (Set II - Firing line). 18 x figs. (£36.00)
8 standing figures, 8 kneeling figures, an officer and a sergeant - ideally structured for two Sharp Practice 'groups' of 8 and a leader apiece.
OR 37A 74th Highlanders (Set III - 'Charge bayonets!'). 16 figs. (£32.00).
Two figs have separate arms and are carrying their muskets at the 'trail arms' position i.e. down by their sides.
OR 37B 74th Highlanders. (Set IV - 'Running Fight'). 18 figs. (£36.00)
The most celebrated of the highlanders' fights during the 8th CFW was the Battle of Kroomie Heights, in September 1851, where after beating off a heavy Xhosa attack, Lieutenant Colonel John Fordyce was obliged for want of adequate ammunition to withdraw his regiment to the low ground. The 74th again came under heavy Xhosa attack as it hastened downhill via a narrow trail through the forest. It was also thrown into confusion by the two Fingo companies operating in support,, which forced their way past the 74th from the rear of the column. This code 'Running Fight' is inspired by the events of that day, but as you can see the figures can just as readily be put to use in a great number of other scenarios. The set includes an officer and a sergeant, so is again ideal for acquiring at one fell swoop two Sharp Practice groups of 8 figs, with a leader apiece.
OR 38 Fingo [Mfengu] Skirmishers. (16 figs).
The Mfengu (contemporaneously referred to as 'Fingoes') were an agglomeration of Northern Nguni refugees who eventually found their way to Cape Colony (in 1835), following a discontented period of residency in Gcalekaland. Allied with the British against the Xhosa during the 7th and 8th CFWs, they found several dependable infantry units, such as the 'Fort Beaufort Fingo Levy', which played a notable part in the several Waterkloof campaigns. There were also large communities of Fingoes resident at Fort Peddie and Alice (Fort Hare), where the men of fighting age mustered under arms and played a vital role in defending those towns against the major Xhosa attacks of 1846 and 1851 respectively. The Fingoes had their own chiefs and captains (recognized military leaders), but were usually taken into the field by European volunteer officers, (who in their real lives were not uncommonly government employed 'superintendents' of the several Fingo communities).
OR 39 74th Regt. and Fort Beaufort Fingo Levy, Comd & Baggage.
Officers & bat horses for both the 74th Regt and the Fort Beaufort Fingo Levy. Includes a Xhosa prisoner under escort and a personality figure of Lt Col John Fordyce (waving cap, 2nd from left)), the well regarded commanding officer of the 74th, who was killed in action on 'Mount Misery' on 6 November 1851. The 74th were rarely in the field without companies of the Fort Beaufort Fingo Levy in support The company officer of the 74th (shouting, 4th from left), is in a smock, while Fordyce and the volunteer officers of the Fingo Levy wear civilian shooting jackets. In practice the mounted officer and the officer fifth in from the left could also readily be used to depict regular officers.
OR 40 7th Dragoon Guards in brass helmets, Brunswick Rifles.
(6 riders, 6 galloping horses).
Suitable for Zwartkoppies Campaign 1845. For command figures see OR 48 (to follow).
Above and below: OR 41 7th Dragoon Guards in brass helmets, charging with drawn swords.
(6 riders, 6 galloping horses).
Suitable for Zwartkoppies Campaign 1845. Sword arms are separate. Half the figures are provided arms with swords at the point (front rank), while the other half have swords at the shoulder (rear rank). For command figures see OR 48 (to follow).
OR 42 Cape Mounted Rifles (1840-49), peaked forage caps. (Set I).
(6 riders, 6 galloping horses).
Suitable 7th CFW & Pretorius Rebellion. Couple with OR 42A for a 12-fig unit including command. Also matches OR 43 and OR 43A.
OR 42A Cape Mounted Rifles (1840-49), peaked forage caps. (Set II).
(6 riders including command [offr, sgt, bugler], 6 galloping horses).
Suitable 7th CFW & Pretorius Rebellion. Couple with OR 42 for a 12-fig unit. Also matches OR 43 and 43A.
Not yet available.
OR 43 Cape Mounted Rifles (1840-49), peaked forage caps, mounted skirmish line. (Set III).
(6 riders, 6 standing horses).
Suitable 7th CFW & Pretorius Rebellion. Couple with OR 43A for a 12-figure unit. Also matches OR 42 and OR 42A.
Not yet available.
OR 43A Cape Mounted Rifles (1840-49), peaked forage caps, mounted skirmish line (Set IV).
(6 riders including command [offr, sgt, bugler] and 6 standing horses, ).
Suitable 7th CFW & Pretorius Rebellion. Couple with OR 43 for a 12-figure unit. Also matches OR 42 and OR 42A.
Not yet available.
OR 44 Cape Mounted Rifles (1840-49), peaked forage caps, 2 x horseholder sets.
Two privates, 6 held horses. Suitable 7th CFW & Pretorius Rebellion.
Not yet available.
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OR 45 Cavalry Brigade Baggage (12th Lancers & CMR).
(4 riders, 6 horses).
Suitable 1851-53. 8th CFW & Anglo-Basotho Conflict.
OR 46 7th Dragoon Guards in watering caps, charging with drawn swords.
(6 riders, 6 galloping horses).
Suitable for 7th CFW. Perfect for the celebrated 'Charge at Gwanga River'. Sword arms are separate. Half the figures have arms with swords at the point (front rank), while the other half have swords at the shoulder (rear rank). For command figures see OR 48 (to follow).
OR 47 7th Dragoon Guards in watering caps, with Victoria carbines at the ready.
Six riders, 6 walking horses. Suitable for 7th CFW. For command figures see OR 48.
Not yet available.
OR 48 7th Dragoon Guards Command.
Not yet available.
OR 49 British Infantry Command III
Not yet available.
OR 50 12th Lancers at the halt.
6 riders and 6 standing horses. 6 x strapped carbines supplied loose (3 x Victoria, 3 x rifled Lancaster DB).
Not yet available.
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OR 51 Ndebele ['Matabele'] Indunas and Casualties. (9 figs). (£18.00).
Also entirely suitable as Zulus.
OR 52 Ndebele ['Matabele'] Warriors Attacking. Set I. (8 figs). (£16.00).
Feathered headband. Also suitable as Zulus. Includes stabbing assegais and knobkerries for open-handed figs.
OR 53 Ndebele ['Matabele'] Warriors Attacking. Set II. (8 figs). (£16.00)
Feathered headband. Also suitable as Zulus. Includes stabbing assegais and knobkerries for open-handed figs.
OR 54 Ndebele ['Matabele'] Warriors Set III. (12 figs, 12 shields, weapons for open-handed figs included). (£24.00).
Bare-headed. Also suitable as Zulus.
OR 56 Ndebele Warriors Set IV. (12 figs, 12 shields, weapons for open-handed figs included). Married or veteran regiment with head ring. Also suitable as Zulus. Not yet available.
Basotho Shields
As can be inferred from the code illustrations above, the Basotho had acquired great quantities of firearms by 1852. These were usually either Brown Bess trade muskets or, more typically, the heavier calibre 'roer', (as the boere called them), a more antiquated Dutch made flintlock typically dating from the mid-to late 1700s. These they used as a primary weapon, whilst continuing to carry their traditional weapons, namely throwing assegais, winged shields and clubs or battle axes. Everything but the shield comes as part of the casting. All of the figures that have a quiver of assegais come supplied with a loose shield. Not all warriors carried a shield, so it's up to you who gets one and who doesn't. They will superglue into place neatly, as illustrated below, if you position them in the recess hard against the quiver, to one side or the other as makes best sense to you. The shields were made of stiffened cowhide, so that there was nothing much to prevent the wings warping. Thus the extremities can legitimately be bent around round a bit, where that helps to get a firmer grip in the superglue. But take it easy: when you set about bending little metal castings there is always a limit beyond which it is not safe to go! Unlike the Zulu, the Basotho did not use shield colours in a regimented fashion, so you would want a random mixture of colours in your wargames units. For inspiration as to colours and patterns of cowhide try googling 'Nguni cows'.
