"Khurasan 15mm "Late 17th Century Europe" Size Comparison" Topic

Khurasan Miniatures is a US-based company whose products include ranges of both fantasy and historical miniatures. I have collected 15mm figures from several of their ranges. Most recently Khurasan released their "Late 17th Century Europe" range for all those folks that would like to see the battles of the Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678), the Monmouth Rebellion and the early War of the League of Augsburg, being fought in 15mm scale on their tabletops.

When a new range comes out, people are curious as to what the figures look like and the good people at Khurasan are excellent at providing photos on their website. The next major question is typically: "How will these figures fit in with others I have already collected; what are their sizes, their proportions, etc?" To answer this I decided to provide some photos for those with an interest in this range.

The Khurasan figures were lined up side-by-side with Essex, Irregular, Donnington, (and one Minifigs soldier from their Marlburian range.) My conclusion is that the new Khurasan range is closest to Minifigs in size and style, maybe slightly taller is some cases, as not all figures are exactly the same height. Essex figures from the same period, are bigger-headed and shorter-legged and in general, shorter in stature. Irregular are perhaps slightly taller and stockier but once again, there are variations in height within the Irregular range. Donningtons are the largest and certainly the stockiest of the 15mm ranges that I am comparing. Still, I think I will be using them on the same tabletop, probably in separate units.

Khurasan plan to add more figures to this range which will include figures sporting a French style uniform, shorter coat sleeves, shoulder ribbons, etc. This will include both infantry and cavalry.

Quite honestly, this Khurasan range solves a lot of problems for me. I was never very pleased with 15mm cavalry for this period. Also no one made an infantry drummer that I liked. Well sculpted artillery figures were lacking. Thanks to Khurasan, these three issues are now solved. I knew I was waiting for something better for a reason! Good on you, Khurasan!

Cheers!

Gallo

Hey, great comparison pics! Thanks for that.

I forgot to mention, there are cavalry in the range specific to English armies, mainly troopers in barred pot helmets. There is also a command figure that represents the Duke of Monmouth.

I've bought at bunch of these. They are among the best 15mm figures I've seen, certainly in this period. Great detail, yet each to paint.

I agree, dbf1676, these figures are top notch for the period, great detail, poses and variations. These generic infantry should be fine for just about any European army, including the French since not all units wore the short sleeve style coat. Nor were the shorter sleeves an exclusively French fashion. Illustrations show Spanish, Bavarians, English and Austrians also wearing the short sleeve coat. I know some are waiting for the French style infantry and cavalry to come out before they buy. I'm also interested in the French. I want lots of cavalry. The Khurasan French style cavalry will have buff coats, according to their Facebook page.

Most of the French are already done, on my desk at the moment are French personalities, plus a few grenadier variants in different mitres. Then there will probably be some Swiss.

Also started are Swedes for the Scanian war. After that I think it will be Spanish, and possibly some civilian types to cover the Monmouth rebellion. Don't quote me on those last two sets, I have no specific orders yet.

"Each" should read "easy", but you get the idea.

Clibinarium! I don't recall the Khurasan website mentioning the sculptor but I should have guessed it was you! Once again, you surpass all expectations. This range, I believe, will set a new standard.

"Most of the French are already done, on my desk at the moment are French personalities . . ."

So does this mean The Great Conde? Turenne, campaigning on the Rhine? It would be very cool to see some of the allied leaders like Montecuccoli to oppose them. Perhaps Caprara and that crafty Dutchman William, Prince of Orange. The imagination goes wild . . .

The grenadiers, Swiss, Swedes, Spanish and the period civilians would all be wonderful to complete the range. Spaniards?! I'm not sure one can get period Spaniards in 28mm let alone in 15s. I think I have a lot to look forward to. Thank you clibinarium and Khurasan.

Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you are enjoying the figures. Its always a nice thing to hear and perks me up when the sculpting gets to be a bit of drudge, which today it has been.
Four characters in front of me now are Louis, Turrenne, Conde and Luxembourg. No allied personalities yet, but I imagine William and Montecucolli will certainly be in there.

Spanish army are an interesting case. I've seen a number of illustrations similar to the one you posted, but I have had difficulty tracing the image back to its source. Plus it means that all Spanish soldiers are give a goatee, which seems a bit of a cliche.

After looking through some of my reference materials I think the illustration I posted might not be all that representative of period Spanish infantry. The lapels running the full length of the coat's front (are they lapels?), I'm not seeing in period illustrations that are more contemporary. Also the cuff could be somewhat misleading. The other illustrations I've found show Spanish infantry wearing the same basic European uniform that you've already sculpted and are in the comparison photos. There are some slight differences with how the cuff is split and some show the neck cloth tied in a bow. I am certainly no expert at this. It does make a soul wonder how much guesswork becomes necessary. It's not like there's a wealth of info for uniforms of this period!

I think you sense correctly that much cliche is likely in the older illustrations. How common were musket rests in the period? Heck if I know! :)

As to the goatee and facial hair in general, I do have a more solid opinion. Unless the dude is supposed to have a long beard like Gen. Longstreet or a thick moustache like Joe Stalin, why sculpt it at all? In 15mm, I think the consumer/painter should be responsible for adding them. It doesn't take a lot of skill to do this with paint and at such a small scale, the thickness of the paint should be just about correct. The rather trim moustaches and goatees that are often illustrated for the period could be painted on with very little trouble. That way the consumer can decide, "facial hair or not?" and that also creates more variation among figures and less trouble for the sculptor.

Does my humble opinion represent most 15mm gamers/collectors? I really don't know. I suppose that's a question for the forum. What I do know is that your sculpts and attention to detail are excellent!

Cheers!

Gallo

This new issue of Desperta Ferro magazine is supposed to have uniform info on the Spanish Army of the period 1660-1700 and an analysis of the Spanish troops at St. Denis.

link

Thanks for the link! There were some good illustrations on that site which are useful to me.

Cheers!

Gallo

Will definitely be getting that magazine, though from the preview it looks like they are following the same illustrations, goatees an all.
On painting them on- I think for the goatee that works, but I like to sculpt the moustache on where possible. That said for think 17th century moustaches like Louis XIv sported perhaps a paintbrush is better.

That makes sense clibinarium. I should probably check into more contemporary illustrations. I often refer to "Louis XIV's Army" by Rene Chartrand (Osprey series, 1988). The illustrations by Francis Back show very minimal moustache and/ or beard. Sometimes the center seems to be shaved out of the moustache leaving only the corners! Why is is hard for me to imagine common foot soldiers maintaining such trim, stylish facial hair? I think many would opt to shave it all off if they had access to regimental barbers or their own personal razors. Maybe there were a few dandies and certainly officers that would keep up with the styles. Once again, I will have to defer to those who have studied such things.

I'm always delighted to see your excellent work, clibinarium. I very much look forward to experiencing the new figures in this range when Khurasan releases them. (I can't believe I will have Louis and Turenne in 15mm!!)

You will, I just finished them yesterday ;-)

Gosh, years ago I quit buying Irregular after they were so irregular I melted them down for bullets!
Those look pretty good.

Hi pikeman666,

I think some of the Irregular ranges are not as detailed as their "League of Augsburg" figures. Also, I am inclined to modify figures so with these Irregulars I used Milliput to add longer hair. I will use them with Khurasan's new range and might even put them in the same units, although the Khurasan range is much better detailed and proportioned IMHO.

Ok, I noticed Khurasasn now has the Late 17th Century French. They are looking good! I need mostly cavalry. I'll be putting an order together soon. I think it is safe to assume that the new French figures will be about the same height as the figures I've already reviewed.

Cheers!

Gallo

That should be a safe enough bet, they were made with the same dolls!

Hi clibinarium,

I'm glad Khurassan released the French figures. I plan to field French cavalry units wearing the long coat, wearing the buffcoat, and perhaps a unit or two mixed. I am especially happy to see the dismounted French dragoons in stocking caps. Also, the French grenadiers firing look very forceful. Things are looking up for those interested in the Franco-Dutch War! Thanks for all your hard work, clib.

Cheers!

Gallo

I am glad you are enjoying the figures. In the last few weeks I've sent off some additional stuff for the range; more grenadiers in mitres, some generic cavalry in coats and hats, French grenadiers in marching poses (apparently people don't really buy the firing poses as much as marching), plus the four French personalities, The king, Turenne, Conde, and Luxembourg. Additionally a bunch of Swedish foot in karpus and some Swedish horse in kyllers. Can't say how long they'll take to appear.
Other additions will follow- Swiss and Spanish are probably next.

What an amazing range! I always believed 15mm was the way to go. Khurasan has been great for breaking new ground and raising the bar for existing ranges. I understand Khurasan will be releasing an Italian Wars range too and, having seen some of the photos on Facebook, they should really make a big splash! These are splendid times to be a collector of 15mm.

Cheers!

Gallo

I got the new French last week. Three days after I ordered! They are excellent.

Hello dbf1676,

Did you order the French cavalry? I'm curious what are your impressions?