Return of the Qajars

 

We last saw my Qajar Persians back in ’22.  I got a fair bit done, but!  Ran out of figures.  By the time they arrived my attention had shifted.  It really doesn’t take much.

 

Caught in a painting lacuna, I thought I’d make some Qajar progress.  Here it is.

 

First, a unit of Kurdish mailed Lancers.  These are from QRF’s Turkish range.  They have some nice Persian style helmets.  I have another of these to do.

The next job was to finish the regular battalions.  Above, the Guard mainly Russians.

Mostly, this required painting 2 or 3 additional figures per battalion.

Job done and you see them here.

 

The regular cavalry next.

All lancers.

 

The Camel Gunners below-two units.  I intend treating them as ultra light artillery using cannister ranges.

There is some dispute about uniform colours.  Some favour blue others brown.  I did one of each.

 

Jezail armed skirmishers below.  Note the rests for accurate fire.  I'm tempted to have these lads fire on the Artillery Card and to give them a high dice.  Slow but sure sort of thing. Negible in close combat of course.  It is said the sound of jezails loading was like Church bells ringing.  Ominous to hear I'd say.

 

Horse Artillery, half a battery.

So, what is left to do?  A second gun and crew, a unit of regular cavary and some village militia.  I might do some Persian Field Artillery by means of conversions.  We will see.

I’ll fit them in between bouts of painting SYW French infantry. More of that anon.

Most of the above are from Irregular Miniatures.

Qajar Persians in 15mm for With Talon and Claw

I had a bit of a revelation while reading through Barry Hilton’s “With Talon and Claw”rules.  These, I thought, will do nicely for the Anglo-Persian War.  The more I thought about it the more it appealed.  I particularly like Barry’s take on Eastern Armies and troop types.  While we are on matters Hilton, I’ll observe his command system lends itself very readily to the Indian Great Rebellion of 1857.  A thing to be explored subsequent.

Anyhow, in the spirit of time and tide, and faint heart and fair maid I took action. Here are my revitalised Qajars.  First, the tribal cavalry,

 

One unit bows, one guns.

A final one with lance and bow. 

 

Tribal cavalry were always fast and could be very dangerous.

Kurdish lancers looking as though they could have fought in the days of Saladin.  Their ancestors may well of done so.  His best troops were Kurdish lancers.

Next, the regular cavalry trained by a succession of French, Russian and British military advisers.   

They were not bad troops at all.  Apparently they found all the European gear a bit restrictive.

A battalion of Regular infantry variously trained by the above trio of military advisers. 

Quality was variable but some of them could have a real fight and be ready for more.

The rest of them will appear soon.   Guns, Camel Guns, more infantry regulars and a bunch of interesting irregular foot.

You may ask who were their opponents?  Afghans, potentially Sikhs, Ottomans, British and Russians.  Lots of options there.

The toys are from Irregular Miniatures.  I believe Khurasan also offer a range. 

You might have noticed that I have moved to a bigger font size. The idea is to make it easier on the eyes of the reader.