Sunday, October 1, 2017

Perry Mercenaries - Burgundian Handgunners

Finally decided to order a box of Perry "'Mercenaries' - European Infantry 1450-1500." These have been out for some years, so most will know it comes with 40 figures which can be made up into pikemen, crossbowmen and handgunners. You can also convert most of the pikes into halberd/polearms. Here are the handgunners painted up as Burgundians. Figured they could be used in a few scenarios, not the least being the Battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury, when Edward returned with a group of these guys on loan from his brother in law the Duke of Burgundy.
Most of the bodies of this set are the same ones from the Wars of the Roses Infantry box. There are different heads, and arms, of course. There are a couple of nice fluted Kettle Helms - sometimes called a Burgundian Kettle Helm.
I plan to use them in units of 6 figures as a blend of Crossbowmen (normally 12 figures in Lion Rampant) and Bidower skirmishers (normally 6 figures). This should make them fairly effective in Shooting, but otherwise brittle.
Charles the Bold's death at the Battle of Nancy in 1477, would make the presence of these guys at Bosworth (1485) unlikely, however, they'll be used nonetheless. Maybe a few hardcore mercenary types kept their livery.
Here's what they looked like before staining with Minwax. Actually, the can of Minwax must've not been sealed tight as the stain had a 1/8" thick film covering it when the can was opened. I added some thinner to the thickened remainder of the stain, but it isn't as good as it was before. I ended up adding some ink/stain wash over the faces and the red and orange clothing. Highlighting helped out a bit too.
Next up are the Crossbowmen. Thinking of painting them up as Swiss Mercenaries in yellow and black.

24 comments:

  1. Oh, fantastic work Dean again!
    Really love your miniatures :)
    best regards

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    1. Thank you very much, Michal. I appreciate your kind compliments - although these are nowhere near your works of art. Best, Dean

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  2. Fantastic handgunners Dean, they look great!

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  3. Splendid colors on these handgunners, congrats!

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    1. Thanks, Phil. The coat of arms is simple, yet quite striking. Warm regards, Dean

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    1. Thank you very much, Jonathan. They should add some flavor to the English troops. Best regards, Dean

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  5. They look good still despite the issues with the Stain mate. Well recovered.

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    1. Thanks, Simon. I will use the remaining stain until the bitter end :) Regards, Dean

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  6. They look really good, I like them

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    1. Ah, thank you, Oli. You're too kind. Warm regards, Dean

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  7. Hey mate I've put up a new post showing figures that I'm giving away on my YouTube channel pop across have a look the give away started today and runs for two weeks hope you enter, oh the figure above look awesome as always

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    1. Thanks, Kent. Will drop on over. Best regards, Dean

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  8. This is not a time period I'm as familiar with as others, however wasn't there some Genoese crossbowmen of some fame? Or are they uniformed differently?

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    1. The Genoese were hired by the French during the HYW. The were infamously run down by the French mounted men at arms at Crecy when the former were retreating from English longbow fire. Not sure what they did during the Wars of the Roses.

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  9. Excellent work, Dean. I'm a bit envious of the speed with which you produce painted units however they do act as a source of inspiration - so it all evens out:)

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    1. You're too kind, Steven. I usually paint on weekends - too tired or distracted after coming home from a long day at work (and fighting traffic). :) Warm regards, Dean

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  10. Lovely looking crossbow men, as we've said it's a nice box and you've done them justice!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks, Iain. Hope to get the rest of the box done this weekend. Regards, Dean

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