Spencer Smith Miniatures and the Zulu War

BZ12 - Infantry standing, pointing backwards. I rather like this figure and reckon he would make a great NCO.

Over the last couple of months I have been browsing the Spencer Smith Miniatures website on a daily basis. Ignoring the myriad temptations it has in respect of STS, the Classic range, Jacklex, Tradition etc the list I have naturally been drawn to is what I would call the original Spencer Smith ranges. For most of us this means the 18th century, the Napoleonic wars and the American Civil War. However, there is also another range included in this section for the Zulu Wars.

I have seen examples of figures being used and well documented from the first three periods but never from the Zulu Wars. As an aside if any readers have done so I would be keen to hear about it.

The range is quite basic and there are a few gaps in the figure selection but there is sufficient variety available to be able to get together an old school style Portable Wargame sized set up. There is no artillery available for this range so one could convert the ACW gun crew to suit and use the artillery piece from that range if one was not too pedantic.

I have posted a selection of figures from the range but suggest looking at the website for the full listing.

BZ3 - Infantry standing firing

BZ4 - Minute man advancing - the catalogue is wrong in this case as it should read Infantryman Marching

BZ13 - Natal dismounted cavalryman standing at the ready

BZ14 - Mounted Lancer + separate lance

ZZ6 - Zulu attacking with Knobkerrie or Assegai (both weapons moulded together with a separate shield - shown with an Assegai)

ZZ7 - Natal native auxiliary standing with shield (can also be used as a Zulu)

The British range has the usual Zulu War thrusting and lunging selection of figures whilst the Zulus themselves include the obligatory warrior in a British tunic and a rifleman as well as an Induna.

The figures appear to be more detailed than the other ranges in this series - ACW, Napoleonic and 18th century - so I am thinking that they were a later range. In any event I will ask Peter Johnstone at Spencer Smith to see if he can shed any light on their history.

The Zulu War for me has enjoyed a chequered career in terms of actually gaming it. My research into the war seems to stick at the first invasion and the actions thereof. I have owned a selection of books over the years that has passed through my collection but I still get inspired by watching the film Zulu for the umpteenth time.

At the risk of offending any devotees of the period I have always looked at the actions as being rather limited from a tactical point of view. I have in the past likened it to the old arcade game Space Invaders where unlimited numbers keep on attacking and are scythed down in droves. However, this somewhat blinkered view has changed over the years as gaming the period presents both sides with opposite tactical problems - which for me is now the basis of a very interesting game.

My order to Spencer Smith for the remaining ACW figures I need will also include some samples from this range - just to see what they are like of course....