Comparing War of 1812 Figures

My intent here is to compare figure manufacturers; not criticize. They are all artists, and all ranges have pros and cons.

Figure Review

Size of Average Figures from largest to Smallest

Front Rank; not recommended for 1812 because they do not mix well with others

Victrix

Plastic Perry = Musket and Tomahawk = Conquest Miniatures (Indians) = Brigade Games= Warlord Games

Knuckleduster = Crusader Miniatures (Indians) = Some Old Glory=Most Metal Perry

Most Old Glory = Wargames Foundry

                        

Figure Pose Quality from Best to "Least Best"

Perry

Muskets and Tomahawks = Conquest Miniatures=Brigade Games=Warlord Games

Victrix = Some Knuckleduster = Some Old Glory = Some Wargames Foundry

Some Knuckleduster = Some Old Glory = Some Wargames Foundry

Metal / Plastic Quality from Best to Least

Knuckleduster

Perry = Musket and Tomahawk

Old Glory

Victrix = Brigade Games = Warlord Games

Perry Miniatures; 

-plastic early British Infantry, late British infantry

-rifles, light infantry

-late British Light Dragoons

-British Colonels

-some AWI natives

-plastic AWI can make some militia units; Virginia, DC

-AWI cavalry fits Canadian and US militia cavalry

PerryConversion Possibilities *only worth it because they are so nice

-AWI British legion cavalry easily converted to Canadian Light Dragoons

-plastic british can be converted, with a lot of work into american infantry

-Belgian metal line can be converted into late american infantry

-Belgian, Nassau and Dutch generals easily made into american generals

-plastic riflemen easily made into Glengarry LI

-Carlist War rocket troops easily converted to Marine rockets

Pros

-the best poses, historically accurate

-great price, especially for plastics

-good quality metal and plastic

Cons

-plastics are large; a little larger than most of the 1812 figures from other companies. Their metal ranges fit well with knuckleduster. 

Front Rank

-early British Infantry

-early British Artillery

-British Colonels and Generals

-late British Infantry

Pros

-very nice poses

Cons

-very tall and bulky

-very expensive

Knuckleduster

*They make everything

Pros

-they have the largest range by far

-excellent, durable metal

-fantastic service; Forrest Harris will even change up packs for you

-size is between Perry and Old Glory so mixes well with both

-marching units and horses are very well done

-historically accurate

-good prices 

Cons

-some units not as well sculpted as others

Old Glory

*they make almost everything, though they are 25mm scale

Pros

-cheap, fairly large range

-some units are very nice ex) Canadian Voltigeurs, US Rifles

Cons

- horses are very tiny

-the size ranges, the smallest are quite small

-some errors; US infantry with blanket roll, wrong plume on US Light Dragoons

Wargames Foundry

Pros

American volunteers are nice

Cons

-smallest of all,  may mix well with Old Glory

-expensive and hard to find

-small range of Americans

-limited range of poses

Brigade Games

-late war American infantry

-late war Scott's brigade

*both of the above available in marching and shooting line but only one command for each

-late war American Rifles

-late war American Artillery; only 12 pounders

-American Generals x2

-Canadian Voltigeurs

-Sedentary Militia

-Mohawks with Indian Dept.

-early British Light Dragoons

-early British infantry

-early British Artillery

-round hat / Canadian militia 

-mounted British colonels

-navy figures

Pros

-they are as nice as Perry for the most part

-match perfectly with Perry for size

Cons

-not all troop types have commands

-very bendy metal; at least with 2 of the units I have

Warlord Games

-marching early and late war British infantry

-Royal Horse Artillery Rockets (Good for New Orleans only, or could be converted to Marine Rockets)

-British command figures

-extra command groups for British infantry

Pros

-combined with Perry you get cheap plastic shooting and marching guys

Cons

-very brittle plastic

Muskets and Tomahawks

-Indians

-French sedentary militia in winter clothing 

-voyageurs

Pros

-very nice poses and sculpting 

-good quality metal

Cons

-None

Canadian Militia Uniforms

Canadian Sedentary Militia

There were 40000 militia in Lower Canada, 10000 in Upper Canada and 10000 in the Maritimes. One fourth of each unit would receive better training and often cast off British uniforms; these were called flank companies. It was often just the flank companies that were involved in battles. There were also volunteer companies in every region which were usually uniformed. Very few of the regular sedentary militia would have had uniforms. 

Upper Canada

Stormant and Glengarry Sedentary Militia

In the Eastern regions of Upper Canada, the Americans reported being followed by 500 highlanders in kilts. These were revolutionary war veterans and their descendants. 

Lower Canada

Maritime Territories

These saw no action.

Canadian Fencibles and Provincial Regulars

Canadian Fencibles / Regulars

Many of these units were in existence prior to the start of the war. They were British regulars in every sense except that they did not have to fight outside North America. 

The New Brunswick Fencibles / 104th Regiment of Foot

This was the only numbered Canadian Regiment. It became part of the British army at the beginning of the war and was stationed in Kingston. 

New Brunswick Fencibles

After the original unit became the 104th and marched to Upper Canada a new unit was formed which stayed in New Brunswick. It had the same uniform as the 104th, but probably retained the shako below. 

Royal Newfoundland Fencibles

This unit fought as marines in Upper Canada. 

Canadian Fencibles

Canadian meaning French Canadian. This was a light infantry unit. It was divided into 2 company sections over Lower Canada and Eastern Upper Canada. 

Nova Scotia Fencibles

Same uniform as the Canadian Fencibles above. Stayed in Nova Scotia for the war. 

Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles

This unit was raised in 1812 from Scottish Canadians along the St.Lawrence. They saw lots of action in Upper Canada, also Sacket's Harbour and Oswego.

Canadian Voltigeurs

These were formed in 1812 from French Canadians. These were not technically Fencibles but were treated as such. Divided up in 1812 and 1813, but converged for the invasion of New York.

Provincial Regulars

These units were equipped and trained as British regulars, but just for the duration of the war. These were volunteers except for the SEM which were French Canadian conscripts. 

Select Embodied Militia

There were 6 battalions of SEM in Lower Canada. These were provincial regulars. For the invasion of 1813, 2 more temporary regiments were formed. In 1812 and 1813, their flank companies were formed into separate light battalions with British regulars' flank companies. The 5th Regiment of SEM were formed as light infantry, in 1814, they were reformed as the Canadian Chasseurs. 

Canadian Chasseurs and Voyageurs

The Canadian Chasseurs were formed in 1814 from the 5th SEM. The British embodied several hundred Voyageurs for the duration of the war. 

The Incorporated Militia Battalion

This regiment was formed in Upper Canada as a light infantry regiment. It was divided up for mostly garrison duties up until 1814 where it fought heavily in the Niagara campaign of 1814. 

Canadian Light Dragoons

These were used as couriers and scouts. 

Canadian Artillery

Caldwell's Western Rangers

This regiment was the same unit as Butler's Rangers from the Revolutionary War. Two companies strong, they were created to fight alongside Indian allies. 

Raunchey's Coloured Corps

Originally used as light infantry, they were turned into artificers attached to the artillery in 1813. About 30 to 40 strong, these were Canadians of Aftican descent. 

American War of 1812 Uniforms; Militia

American Militia Uniforms

Plates from Uniform Blog

Alabama

*See Kentucky Uniforms; very similar

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Georgia

Indiana

Illinois

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Maine (part of Massachusetts)

*See uniforms above for Massachusetts 

Michigan

Mississippi

New Jersey

New Hampshire

*No plate available. Mostly fought in civilian clothes; long jackets and round hats. 

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Vermont

Virginia

Wisconsin

No plates available. 

Canadian Volunteers

These were recent immigrants to Upper Canada from the US. The size of this unit was between 60 and 120 men. It was responsible for burning lots of properties on Canada. They fought in the 1814 Niagara Campaign. 

Volunteer Regiments

There were around 5000 volunteers. These were irregulars; often probably as good as regulars. They were usually / often equipped by the US government but not always. This is how some may have looked in 1814. Others would have kept their militia uniforms.