The American Civil War opposed the north industrialized states against the more rural south ones, between 1861 and 1865. Naturally this war was a major theme for American companies. Those who like to paint their figures can obtain information on uniforms in many publications like these:
- Kiley, Kevin F.; Digby Smith & Jeremy Black. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Uniforms of the 19th Century. Lorenz Books, 2014: 256 pp.
- Mongin, Jean-Marie & André Jouineau. La Guerre de Sécession, 1861-1865. Les Armées de l’Union et de la Confédération. Soldat, 10, février-mars: 35-80 pp.
- id., Soldat, 11, ed. Heimdal, avril-mai: 81-160.
BMC
Appomatox 40028 (c 2011)
The plastic bag with this reference included a total of 26 figures.
The two central figures are the Generals Robert Lee from the Confederate Army and Ulysses Grant from the Union. The flags are engraved making the painting easier.
The soldiers are equal for both Armies and as usually the Confederates were moulded in grey plastic and the Union soldiers in blue. Each figure is repeated 3 times in each plastic colour. Of course Generals are single figures. The quality of sculpture is not great. For example the hands are oversized. On the positive side there is information engraved on the under side of base.
Britains
These figures were used for both armies depending on the paint job.
These group of figures was produced between 1954 and 1966. The numbers are from the de Peter Cole book.
Bibliography:
Peter Cole, Suspended Animation, An Unauthorised History of Herald & Britains Plastic Figures. A Plastic Warrior Publication. New edition: 198pp.
Expeditionary Force
Union Artillery
In the box of Union artillery we get two cannons with 5 soldiers on foot and one officer on horse back. The sculpture work is good as usually with this company.
Imex
As with many other companies that made figures for this war, the poses are the same for both armies, only plastic colour is different.
These figures were painted as Confederate Artillery according to the Magazine Soldat nº 11.
Italery
6851 – Union Infantry
In each box there are two groups of 8 different poses. The sculpture work is good but heads seem to be a little to large.
The inclusion of 6 Zouaves in three poses permits a nice variation in uniforms.
Revell
2602 – Confederate Infantry
Sculpting is of average quality and poses are natural and useful.
Timpo
Timpo made a good number of figures of Union and Confederate armies both as one piece figures and in swoppet types.
Union one piece figures
Sculpting is average, but a paint job and they became nice.
The first figure is in a very odd pose.
The first figure is in a very relaxing pose with a stone under the right foot whilst the second is in the more common pose of firing when standing.
Union swoppet figures
The second figure has a different coloured trousers and boots.
Two officers and two more soldiers.
These soldiers had the characteristic kepi. The use of the sword is not very convincing as it should be only a officer possession. As usual with the figures of this company the arrow struck sideways due to mould constrains.
In total I have 10 different torsos.
Confederate swoppet figures
Two cavalry soldiers with very nice saddles. Unfortunately one horse loose one leg. With age and Sun exposure the plastic becomes brittle.
These figures show an excess of swords. Poses are similar to the union ones just made in a different colour.
In this photo I show the two types of head and hat. The first figure has hair and a more elaborate kepi.