Friday 2 February 2018

"Swedish"-style horse


Here are a couple of regiments of "Swedish"-style horse for the coming Salute game. "Swedish" tactics were introduced from the continent and promoted by Prince Rupert. Three ranks deep, "Swedes" would charge aggressively, reserving their pistols for the moment of contact. Many rules refer to them as "gallopers", although they would more likely charge at a "good round trot". Initially only the Royalists fought in this manner, but in 1644 the Parliamentarians had also adopted it and both sides fought in the same manner.

These are Redoubt horse that I bought ready painted (and got a few more painted, to match). I don't like them quite as much as the Bicornes I generally use- that said, some of the minis have great character and animation and the sizes are broadly compatible with Bicorne. Funnily enough, whilst writing this, a third Redoubt regiment that I'd bought on eBay and forgotten about, just arrived in the post.


One thing that I do feel strongly about, is adequately representing the unusually high ratio of horse to foot in some ECW battles. I intend to base a LOT of horse; up to 500 minis. :)

16 comments:

  1. I love them, I made a close up on them and the faces are just superb (with the hats!)...impressive bases as well Simon...

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    1. The chap with the hat blowing off is fantastic. They warranted a better paint job than the original painter gave them. Thanks re bases- I try!

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  2. Nice looking horse unit, I have to say mine aren't that large, I'm painting ecw cavalry on and off and am looking forward to your rules, will they be on sale at salute?
    Best Iain

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    1. Hi Iain; yes at Salute - hopefully a little before, too.

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  3. That's a LOT of horse to be painting up - this is shaping up to be a spectacular project! Splendid stuff, Simon, well done!

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  4. I have hundreds of mostly painted horses and riders in various states of disrepair and assembly. Daunting...

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  5. Forgive me if you have done this already...but any chance of a run down on your basing process including materials used?

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    1. Hi Sean, it's all here http://bigredbat.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Bat%20basing I'm a martyr to me basing.

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  6. "... reserving their pistols for the moment of contact."

    I've never been able to figure out how they could use their pistols at the last moment and still be able to unsheathe there swords for "hand-to-hand combat" while still advancing to contact.

    Maybe "combat" is a rarity because one side or the other breaks before contact?

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    1. I think there was combat, sometimes lasting for some time. I would imagine that they charged with pistols and drew swords in the melee. Judging from Atkins' account of Roundway Down, swords were a bit secondary! They do look good on a charging mini, though.

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    2. Not that I know what I'm talking about but attempting to draw your sword after dropping your pistol while one or more adversaries are trying to lop your head off seems like self-limiting behavior.

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    3. I believe the sword had already been drawn, and was hanging from the wrist by a thong.

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  7. ...and yet both Dutch and Swedish tactic relied, in the first instance, on pistols. It's surprising, isn't it? Not what one imagines. I suppose your pistol pressed to an opponent's chest (even in a buff coat) was more likely to be fatal than a sword blow.

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  8. A beautiful looking unit Simon - your ECW collection is coming along in leaps and bounds.

    It would be interesting to find out if pistol-armed cavalry typically aimed for opposing man or his horse. As a past recreational rider, I would think shooting the mount may have been the most sensible choice, as it would either make the opponent's horse fall or run in pain, giving you time to switch to arme blanche to engage either a dismounted rider or one who has an injured horse. A pitiless consideration, but it might answer to the tactical situation, especially in an environment where remounts were fairly accessible.

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  9. Hi Curt, I know what you mean, it would make sense. The detailed account of which I'm most aware is Richard Atkins, though, trying to kill Sir Arthur Heselrige and he was very much focussed on the rider, rather than the mount, even though the rider was unusually well protected. I wonder whether the relatively small pistol bullets would be sufficient to guarantee mortally wounding a horse? Best, Simon

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    1. Ps my friend Ian reminded me of how many accounts there are of officers losing several horses during a battle... so perhaps they were targeted.

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