""Over Open Sights" Reviews?" Topic

Eons ago I started playing naval war-games using the old Fletcher Pratt rules. I have acquired some pre-dreadnought models recently, which has rekindled my interest in big gun naval combats. Looking over my old Pratt rules they could work, doing some surfing I found "Over Open Sights" also. But no reviews…..at least on Amazon. Here is their quote about the rules set:

"Over Open Sights traces the early development of naval wargaming in the Royal Navy between 1873 and 1904. It is part of a series by the History of Wargaming Project documenting early wargaming. The book opens with a foreword by the wellknown author and game designer, Larry Bond. Next is a reflective essay about the position of naval wargaming within the hobby. The heart of the book is the reproduction of the early wargames, with period commentary from various Rusi sessions. The naval wargames included are: Lieutenant Castle R.N.: The Game of Naval Tactics (1873) Captain Colomb R.N.: The Duel: A Naval Wargame (1879) Lieutenant H. Chamberlain R.N.: Game of Naval Blockade (1888) The Launch of the Fred Jane Naval Wargame at Rusi (1898) The First Edition of The Fred Jane Naval Wargame (1898) The book also includes further material on the Fred Jane War-game."

Has anyone tried these rules out, and will they work well with the pre-dreadnought era?

Thanks!

I haven't played any of the rules mentioned (nor even heard of any but the Jane's), but I suspect that they would be accurate since written in the period to be gamed. From articles I've read about Jane's game, it seems to require some pretty exotic hardware to determine hits, so that might make it a non- starter.

You might want to check out the War Times Journal website; they have free downloads of "Quickfire" rules for large pre- dreadnought fleet actions. I'm currently in a Russo- Japanese campaign using these rules with 1/3000 models. Actions play fairly fast without an overwhelming amount of paperwork and have a nice period feel. There is a more detailed set "Battlefleet 1900" that might be more appropriate for small or single- ship actions.

I should have mentioned too, I'm looking at some that are solo gaming friendly rules. I recently moved and left my long time gaming club behind. I checked out the WTJ site, the ships I currently have are in the 1/1200 and 1/1250 scales. Probably single ship actions would be a good way to start out.

Thanks!