"Old Mikes Models USA 15mm Renaissance figs from the 1980s" Topic

I recently came upon an old catalogue of these figs in a corner of my basement along with some sample figs. While advertised as 15mm the samples seem like 10MM.

Out of curiousity i found an old post on TMP that stated the molds had gone to Essex. However, they no longer carry the line and the molds have been destroyed.

Are there any Mikes Models Renaissance collectors out there?

Would love to see some pics and potentially purchase in the future.

Cheers!
Beeker

Beeker: I contacted Essex and they stated that they do in fact have the molds and will cast them upon request. Prices of packs are the same as their current rates (and same packaging sizes). I believe this is only for the renaissance range. I have not ordered from them to test this out, but plan to. I have several renaissance armies in various states of completion and cannot wait to get them finished.

As for pics, you can go to my flickr account, here is the link:
link

About the only thing you can use Mikes Models for is Gnome Wars, based on their perfectly detailed anatomy ;}

Geez, have small drawers full of Mikes Models (think they are but took them outta the bags to fit) along with asgard, Gallia and MiniFig strips. My own personal time capsule ? <lol>
Had a bunch done up for colonial and still remember the sarcasm when ah brought them on. "Oh look, the midgets to the rescue !" <chuckle>

Paul

Paul,

Interested in selling… pleeeeze!

There is a Yahoo Group just for the folks that like the figures and there is an active market for them.

While some of the figures were stocky, most are wonderful looking, easy to paint and appear great on the table.

Dan

Demaratos

Could prolly part with 'em ? Reality check is that I'll never get around to doing anything with them. E me at WOLFSHANZA AT aol DOT com and let me know what you're interested in ? Suppose it's cruel to keep 'em penned up for decades like that ? <lol>

Paul

Ah! Mikes Models.

Some of the earlier figures were a bit simple but I still recall my original 15mm MM Army – Trajanic Roman – I managed a 1000 point army for £10.00 GBP – a penny a point

The renaissance figures were much better and had a certain jolly character to them. They are still the core of my French Italian Wars army

I came across a couple of small bags (maybe 8 or 10 figs) of Renaissance-looking cav with lances that appear to be Polish or similar that remind me of Mike's. Anybody want em? historicalgamer@aol.com

I must say the pictures I have seen are really cute, charming, fun little guys. If I were going to do 15mm Renaissance, I would get those guys (I do 10mm)

They are stumpy, sure, but some of us love little pudgy, caricatures of soldiers. It all seems less terrible and more like a game.

Of course I don't expect most people would agree…..

"Jolly", that's the word!

Another range that should mix with them would be Tin Soldier. They have a late medieval range (15th kind of stuff, but much will be usefull)

Somewhere on the net are pictures of the whole range, and if your a stumpy lover like me (which is strange as I'm 6'4"), you'll love these. I have the pictures downloaded, but i have no idea where i got them (catalog pics)

tinsoldieruk.com

Good luck with it, I'm glad to hear that Essex will still cast them. Although I'm doing 10mm, I may well have to do 15mm one day too, I love the period.

I have a bunch of their later figs that were done for their TYW range and they are very nice! They did two one piece TYW cuirassier figs that I would like to get my hands on. One of them is a cuirassier firing his arquebus to the front (a la De Geyn ?) and the other has the cuirassier firing a pistol. They also did some very nice TYW musketeers.

Kyle

Prince Alberts Revenge – Brilliant!

Wonderful pics!

A bit odd though the message from Essex. They responded to my last inquiry about the molds this past Monday with a….

"Sorry, molds no longer exist. Regards, Essex Miniatures"

Can you confirm again with your contact?

Cheers!
Beeker

Dan Cyr

Do you have an address for the Yahoo Group?

I just did a seach for Mikes Models but got nothing.

many thanks!
Beeker

link

Because they cleverly called it "Fans_of_Mikes_Models_15s"

Enjoy.

Dan

"the samples seem like 10MM"

This is an simple example of scale creep. I have some 10mm Kallista medievals that look eye-to-eye with a friend's 15mm tabletop renaissance from a couple of decades ago.

@ xenophon

They did two one piece TYW cuirassier figs that I would like to get my hands on

I have some of those I'd be happy to sell, if you're interested post some contact details and I'll check how many I've got.

Alas, the final word from Essex is that the Renaissance molds are no more….

Who originally sculped these?

Hmmm…interesting.I emailied them April 7th of 2008. My question to them was "I was curious if you still cast the Early Essex (Mikes Models sculpts) for orders? I can provide the codes/names of the packs. If this is possible, please let me know how much this would cost and any other relevant information." Their response was, "Hello there,Yes, these are still available. They are the standard 15mm figure pack price (£1.88).
Many thanks, Essex Miniatures."

I believe that Ally Morrison sculpted them.

Re. Morrison – still on the scene after 20 years?

Furthermore, those who might have MM Renaissance figs for sale.. please seek me out on the yahoo group site indicated above!

Cheers!
Beeker

I have quite a few of these old Mike's Models. Some unpainted , but mostly painted. I would be willing to part with some of them, especially 16th C types. What comes to mind immediately are 100+ landsknecht pikemen, a buncha arquebusiers, some cavalry mostly lancers.

Hi Renman – any chance you are on the yahoo group indicated above? What is the best way to communicate?

Cheers!
Beeker

Beeker,

I just joined that group and replied to a message I think was from you.

Just to update this old discussion…

Essex does indeed sell the renaissance range of Mikes Models – here is a link to their web page:
link

Just be aware that the moulds are very old and there's some very solid infill that will take a lot of work to remove. If you can get originals from the eighties do so in preference.

I was lucky enough to pick up enough second-hand landsknechts to complete my mercenary forces, and even though they're painted, stripping them will take much less time and effort than rendering new castings usable.

I got quite a few MM's Renaissance from Essex over the past couple of years, infantry and cavalry, and there were only a couple of figures with the infill Henry is referring to; landsknechts I think, everything else was fine. I was very happy with my purchases but maybe I got lucky.