"15mm ACW Figures - Identity?" Topic

Does anyone recognize who made this line of ACW 15mm figures? I bought them between 1978-1982 (I think, memory is foggy on exact year). Are they still available? Maybe under another manufacturer's name?

From the rear, they look like the Heritage line from that period in time. No idea if that line is still produced.

Hmmm look a lot like mine. 15mm Der Kreigspiellers/Heritage. Are the flags lead as well, already with flag design on them.

About 100% sure that is what they are

Thanks guys, now that you mention the name Heritage, that rings a bell (the flags are indeed metal, with the design molded in). I found some mention online that Jim Oden founded Heritage Models in 1974. The company produced both historical and fantasy figures. By 1981 Heritage apparently went bankrupt, according to this article by Howard Barasch:

ddwzrd.com/interviews-2

However, I'm wondering if some other company later acquired the molds and continued producing the ACW miniatures line.

The "Heritage" ACW & Napoleonic lines were procured, cast, and sold by Todd Fishers' "Emperor's HQ" in Chicago, IL around 1982 or 1983. There were plans at the time to update and renew all the molds as many of the ones obtained in the purchase were well worn out.

The figures were available for at least a couple of years afterword. When the store went into Chap. 13 not sure if the Heritage Lines were picked by any other manufacturer.

The figures were originally Der Kreigspiellers sold later to Heritage. I may be wrong on this, but think Stan Getz was one of the original designers. If TMP member Gary Owen sees this, he will know the details.

These are definitely Heritage, originally Der Kreigspiellers. The were sculpted by Stan Glanzer here in Dayton, Ohio for Duke Seifried and Custom Cast. Stan had already done 25mm Civil War and American Rev and these where his first venture into 15mm. Stan actually showed me the very first figure he ever did for this line, sculpted in old plumbers epoxy (brown).

The line was named "Confederettes" (Napoleonettes line would follow). Stan also would do 15mm WWII and was just starting 15mm Ancients as well. Sadly, Stan would pass away from heart failure at the age 33 years old. He was way ahead of his time for sculpting 15mm figures and these figures are still some of the best of all time. The are "True" 15mm scale.

Kim

My first 15mm figures were Heritage Confederettes. I loved those figures. Sad to hear about the sculptor.

Thanks Kim. Thought I had his name wrong.

Duke got me into gaming when he did a big 25mm Napoleonic game at the Salem Mall. Bought a lot of my figures at his shops on Salem Ave, then in Centerville.

Darrell,

You confused Jim Getz, another of Duke's associates who wrote "Napoleonique" rules, with Stan. Thankfully Jim is still around and games with us when he can.

Kim

Duke got many of us into miniature gaming back in the 70's. I helped in organizing his original store and would work for him at the Centerville store when he sold off Custom Cast to Heritage and went to Texas. Stan also went to Heritage and was in Texas when he passed away. With Stan gone, Heritage had no sculptor to continue the 15mm lines and along with other poor business decisions would not last long.

Kim

They are Heritage figures. I still have mine and still use them. I think I bought them in the early 80s.

link

Nice

Great history lesson – good memories!!

Thanks for sharing all this info on the story behind the figures. I wish I could have bought many more of them but I didn't have the money back then. They are still my favorites. RIP Stan Glanzer…a great talent lost too young.

Some day I may sell mine. 2 divisions each side, plus a lot of Cavalry. Why not, I am selling everything else. 😉 Army of the Cumberland and Army of Tennessee.

Last I heard the molds were in the possession of an unknown lady in Texas. She apparently had no interest in re-casting them. Not sure why she won't sell them. True 15mm figures.

Heritage Confederates – I have a bunch that I have had for 35 plus years – great little figs and they have seen many a table top battle

I confirm what Kim Young posted above. "I" was also one of Duke's customers when his operation was on Salem Avenue. (Kim and I go way back and have gamed together when 10 sided dies were like hen's teeth to find!)

Stan Glazner also did Bugle and Guidon line of 54 and 25mm figs while he was in High School. Yes folks, he had the talent to be a one man "Perry Twins" to the USA.

I like that they are true 15mm figures. With all the scale creep now a days, 15s are like 18s and 18s are true 20s.