Monday, 25 May 2026

Finishing a few left over English Civil War miniatures

A rather delayed and short post this week, Things have been rather busy around the home the last week or two, leaving limited time for painting and wargaming activities. With the time that was available, I decided to paint up a small unit of commanded shot and an officer for my English Civil War forces. These figures had been lying around for quite a while and, for one reason or another, always seemed to get pushed to the back of the painting queue.

Commanded Shot and Officer. The figures are a combination of Hinchliffe and Minifigs.

Additionally, I painted up some barrels that I had spotted at the local model shop last year, intending to use them as out-of-ammunition markers to replace the cardboard ones I currently use. Although having now painted them I find I still quite like the old cardboard markers. I guess I can now choose the type of marker that is to my liking at the time.

Cardboard barrel counters showing out-of-ammunition.

Wooden Barrels Kit.

All the barrels painted up. Not all the barrels are suitable as some are just too big, but I painted them up anyway as they will get used as smaller terrain in and around buildings.

The new out-of-ammunition barrel.

All being well this coming week, I will be able to return to painting my Zulu forces and also get a couple of games played for my Battle of Britain campaign using the Blood Red Skies rules.

30 comments:

  1. Your figures have painted up rather well - with an “old school” vibe 👏
    The barrels have turned out nicely too 😊

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    1. The glossy finish helps with the old school look.

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  2. Nice work. Good idea with the barrel Peter.

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    1. The barrels were an opportunistic purchase which has worked out.

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  3. Nice additions to your ECW collection, the barrels look great but I like the cardboard marker to be honest, looks the part.

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    1. Both options seem to work, although the cardboard markers can be a little bit fiddly.

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  4. Good looking reinforcements! You are not alone in struggling to find hobby time.

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    1. The time I had was very fractured and I was never able to really start any wargame activities.

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  5. Nice work, I like the barrels idea. I have some bases done that have dice holders on the back, but I find the fitting of dice too fiddly, dropping a barrel in instead would be better, the fit would stop the barrel moving out of position, but still be loose enough to manage.

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    1. Thank you. Markers can be so fiddly. In my first game using barrels I just dropped them on the unit’s base avoiding the pikes. They can be shaken out at the end of game.

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  6. Very nice. I must say I prefer the cardboard markers. Clear and neat.

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    1. The cardboard barrels do work well, but can be a bit fiddly. I will most likely continue to use them on occasion.

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    2. Add some long tweezers to your wargaming accessories box. It’s what John Sanders used with all his fiddly little Sandskrieg markers!

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    3. Oh yes, those markers were fiddly. Good idea with the tweezers.

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  7. Some nice additions Peter and the barrels look good too

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    1. Thank you. My lead pile of ECW is getting smaller.

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  8. Lovely work and additions there Peter and I too prefer the 2D barrels, as they work better visually for the game IMHO.

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    1. The 2D barrels do work well. I should think about mounting them on thicker card to make them easier to handle. At the moment they are a bit fiddly.

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  9. Nice looking additions to your forces.

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    1. Thanks. My Commanded Shot units are now all complete.

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  10. These look superb. I love the basing methodology and the barrels. Look forward to seeing them in action.

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    Replies
    1. New units are always a good reason to get the armies on to the tabletop.

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  11. Replies
    1. Thank you. There is not much more I want to add to my ECW armies.

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  12. Clever ammunition tokens. Great idea!

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    Replies
    1. I now need to put them to use in a game.

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  13. Lovely looking units Peter - I really must have another go at painting ECW units

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    1. Thank you. Good luck with your ECW painting.

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  14. Useful items, barrels. I really should paint up more of mine. Good for creating barricades for fighting in built-up areas, as well.

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    Replies
    1. They are proving a useful addition for markers and terrain.

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