Muscovite Commander's Coach, Cossack and Tartar artillery

In an attempt to clear my store of spare wheels decided to construct a few wagons and guns for my Renaissance armies. I can't confirm the authenticity to this model but the idea that the Muscovite Command might have had a campaign coach seems plausible. The war-wagon is based on some late medieval ideas and can serve with either the Muscovites or the Ottomans. I'm satisfied with the Cossack light guns but the Tartar artillery is a bit boring, perhaps they need more interesting bases. MGB

Completed Khazars, Muscovites, and Tartars (Asiatic conversions no.4)

Here are s few photos of the Asiatic figures restored and integrated. My Muscovite Boyar horse archers have gained four recruits, and two more added to my Tartar horde. Rather pleased with my new Khazar heavy cavalry unit. Still to design their banner, something suitably Jewish such as a Hanukkah Menorah, an emblem which has been found on some relics from the Khazarian period. This unit will also serve as Tartar nobles. Finally, an ornamental bannerman for my Medieval Muscovites. Well thats twelve completed, six more are being exchanged for others, leaving eight more to be restored. MGB

Tartar raiders on foot

Have just completed another batch of Tartars, this time they are dismounted. I decided to add some of my spare shields to these castings although I will classify them as skirmishers without armour on the wargames table. MGB

Tartar Horse Archers, PAINTED & READY

Well here are the twenty-four Tartar horse archers finally painted and based. I have issued two flags influenced by those thought to have been used by the Tartars of Kazan. Some historians have suggested that the dragon is a Russian distortion of a winged snake, the latter does have some historical links to the legends of the founding of their khanate. The figures are mainly Hinchliffe but I have added some Essex Miniatures to some spare horses for variation. All are on larger bases to confirm they are irregular raiding cavalry, and they can operate in bands of six, eight or twelve. These figures will also serve with my Ottomans, providing a much needed element to their army. MGB

NB.The flag renditions are taken from the excellent CRW FLAGS website for purposes of research.

Tartar Horse Archers, first seventeen painted

Have just completed a new batch of horse archers for my Ottomans. I can't base them yet until I'm sure some Essex archers and banner men will mix with these Hinchliffe castings. I noted John of BAND OF WARGAME BROTHERS BLOG has a fair number of six-figure light horse units on skirmish bases and I like this obligation to use them this way. I've painted mine in bold colours as the kidnaping and slave trade has been quite profitable lately. MGB

TARTAR LIGHT HORSE, SERVING WITH THE OTTOMANS

Pleased to report that I have been quite busy over the weekend. At a quick count I have filed, occasionally drilled, and undercoated over 250 castings. There is still another fifty or so needing this work but its a welcome sight to see so many figures primed and ready. Included among these are eighteen Tartar horse archers, as Robbie Rodiss of 'Wargaming the Borgias Blogspot' has rightly pointed out, the Ottomans need 'large amounts of unpaid marauding light cavalry'. He has plans to increase his collection, I'm doing the same. I already have a handful of Akinji, but I am planning to increase them to a more appropriate number too. I also picked up a bag of Black Tree Arab crossbowmen(20) for service with my Granadines. Must say they look very good and came with hardly a cast line, and no flash whatsoever. MGB