A quick Round Up of 2014 and what's next.

First can I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope Santa brings you more toys for your metal mountain or pile, depending! and thank you for supporting me and the range.

It will most probably come as no surprise that 2014 has been the best year so far for Crann Tara,- sales have been good, Richard has been productive and I have forged an alliance with Niels of Westfalia Forge and their lovely equipment range.

Financially i guess I may be just about paying my way or at least closing the gap on expenditure over income :) just don't tell the wife!

So what's the plan next year -
I aim to finish the Jacobite rebellion, Richard is currently sculpting Fitz James' horse and the Princes Lifeguard - both of which will suitable for WAS French.
Baggotts Hussars - mounted and foot, a kneeling French infantry man and a mounted British Horse Grenadier ( cos I wanted one :) ).

I would like to think we will get these out in time for Salute but it all depends on Griffin the casters/mould makers who are one of the best in the business but are also very busy!!!!

Following that the Jacobite Personalities and either Government or Jacobite Artillery crew. The Georgia Scouts and mounted Highlanders.

The final release will see which ever artillery crew didn't make it, Government Marines and some other surprises.

John, the other sculptor will be doing some more Savoia pieces and the main project will be the Garde Francais. - no timescales on this though.

To close a couple of my favorite pics  - the Government firing line and the Westfalia Miniatures amusette being pulled by some of my own  Albion sculpts

Merry Christmas Offer - Free Postage on all orders over £50

In order to celebrate the festive season from the 1st December until the 2nd January I'm offering free postage to anywhere in the world on all orders placed to the value of £50 or more. This doesn't include Terrain or Flags but does include all the figure ranges and equipment.

When prompted just enter Xmas14 in the coupon code. All the new figures including the Savoia infantry will be on the site for the 1st. Good time to stock up on the metal mountain.

Savoia Infantry, Prussian and French Guns released

Hopefully going up on the web shop are the new items in stock.
First I have the French 8Pdr and 12Pdr Cannon and the Prussian 12pdr, 10pdr Howitzer and 3pdr from Jim's  Fife and Drum range, these items are in stock and as stated above will be in the shop in the next few days.
Also is the Savoia infantry - sculpted by John on the Crann Tara dollies - the figure is in light kit and could be used as a pretty generic 18th Century Infantry line infantry.

A lovely figure and nicely painted by John - musicians and NCO's will be following shortly. Again these should be in the shop this week and all these items will be available on Saturday at the Battleground show.

Battleground Show 29th November

Just a quick reminder I shall be at Stockton on Saturday at the Battleground show ( formerly Smoggycon).
Now organised by Pendraken miniatures and a new venue it promises to be a good show.
Can I ask that if anyone wants to place an order for collection then do so in the next few days.
You get a 10% discount and the figures will be waiting for you.
I will have all the new stock with me although Personalities and the Fusiliers de Morliere are already getting low!!
Here's the link to the show.
http://www.battlegroundshow.co.uk/

Stock Update! and new Sutlers Wagon

I should be in receipt of the new stock on Friday, all outstanding pre.orders will be processed and dispatched over the weekend and next week, thanks for being patient.

I have also received the new Sutlers wagon from Niels at Westfalia Forge - great piece,
the picture is whilst it was still on work bench. this will be in the shop next week.

Up date re Pre.orders availability

First thanks to everyone for being patient.
Stewart at Griffin moulds has confirmed that the 10 production moulds have just been completed, that means he hopes to have stock with me in the next 7-10 days, so with a fair wind I should have all pre.orders in the post by the 21st/22nd November.
Thanks again.

New Releases available to pre.order

I’m pleased to say that the British Dragoons (mounted and on foot), the French Infantry firing and a new French Command Pack together with the first of the Personalities are all available to pre. Order in the Crann Tara shop.

I have also put up a figure of the converted French/Irish Piquet marching. I have made him to be suitable to represent the infantry in The Manchester Regiment, so trousers and a plaid, will hopefully get some pics on here later.

The Marshall Saxe was kindly painted for me by Dave Jarvis.

Also shown are the Fusiliers de Morliere

So get over to the shop-

http://www.cranntaraminiatures.co.uk/

As usual I offer a 10% discount on all pre.orders  just enter the code Cumberland when paying.

Any questions just get in touch.

Personalities for Government Army

The first of the Personalities have been sculpted by Richard and are currently at Griffin Moulds for the metal masters to be made.

All for the Government army

First up is the Duke of Cumberland CinC at Culloden but also suitable for Fontenoy and Dettingen

Albermarle  commander of the first line of Government troops

 Henry Hawley commander of the Cavalry at Culloden and fought at Dettingen

All eminently suitable for British/Hanoverian armies be with us in a few weeks.

Minden Miniatures - Marshall Saxe in Coach and his Volontaires de Saxe in stock

Great news yesterday I received stock of the new Minden Miniatures Marshall Saxe in his coach at Fontenoy.
I've also received his Volontaires de Saxe - African and European lancers and Command figures -
Hurried pics below.

The coach will retail at £20 for the coach, two horses and one rider and of course Marshall Saxe
Lancers are £10.50 for 3
Command £7.00 for two.

If you order from me through the blog before I get them on the web shop ( sometime next week)
I will give you 10% discount and flat rate £2.70 postage.
This is only available to UK and European members.
Just send an e.mail to cranntara_miniatures@yahoo.co.uk to order and we will take it from there

Jim is waiting for his stock but it should be with him next week.

Culloden Wargames Day

Whilst it may be a log way to travel ( at least it is for me), I shall be attending the above event on the 11th October at the Culloden visitor centre.
Here's the link
http://cullodenwargamesday.gamescape-north.com/
Prof. Duffy will be there and my trade stand shall hopefully attract him especially if I have the personality figures cast by then. :)
If you do decide to go and want any figures please pre.order, get your 10% discount so contact me direct with your requirements.

The Fontenoy Range

Just a short update, as stated earlier I have placed my flag firmly in the 1740's and as we press on with the '45 I also want to offer up some additional figures.
Bearing in mind within the '45 range there will be Dutch etc I have decided to also look at releasing figures that will expand the French and English armies around the time of Fontenoy.

The Fusiliers de Morliere will be released in the near future, I'm looking at adding Horse Guard Grenadiers for the British alongside the release of the Jacobite horse - most of which of course will serve as French Cavalry.
To that end over the next couple of weeks I will create a new tab for the Fontenoy range and list packs from the '45 that are suitable for this and also list the new packs as they become available.

Looking at the French Garde as the next release for this!

New Greens - More French and the British Dragoons

Richard has sent me photos of the latest set of sculpts. All are shown except the 3 Personality figures.

First up are some more French, the start of the firing line - the next set of sculpts will see one or two more figures added.

 Next we have the dismounted British Dragoons, I think these are some of Richards best sculpts to date, love the Officer.

 More dismounted dragoons, getting ready for Clifton Moor refight.

 Then of course the British Dragoons, really happy with these.

Together with the 3 Personalities that will be another 16 figures for release. As soon as I receive the greens and check them over they will be off to Griffin for the moulds to be made.

Up and Coming Shows

Just a short note to say I will be at the Border Reiver Show at Gateshead Stadium on the 6th September, if any one wants to pre.order then now your chance.

In addition I shall be attending a gaming event at the Culloden Battlefield on the 11th October.
Here's the link http://cullodenwargamesday.gamescape-north.com
The visitor centre is well worth the trip and of course Fort George is only a few miles away and that is also worth a visit.

Again if anyone wants to pre. Order then 10% discount applies to all orders made for either show.

Westfalia Forge- 18th Century Wagons and equipment in stock

I am pleased to inform you all that I am now starting to stock a range of 18th century wagons and Equipment from Westfalia Forge, a small company based in Germany. Niels, the sculptor already makes equipment for a number of established companies so I am very pleased to be able to offer these new pieces.
All of course are for the 18th Century and are all in stock and on the web shop.

 First up is a two wheeled munition cart, based on the Austrian design but I think would be suitable for other forces as well.

 This is a British Field Forge, great piece.

 Finally the generic hay wagon, suitable for any one :)

More pieces to come in the near future.

Painted figures and Important news

There are some major changes taking place  with Crann Tara. I have decided that  I should return to my original vision and that Crann Tara Miniatures be devoted to the 18th Century therefore to that end over the next couple of weeks I will be removing the Border Reivers and the Graven Images from the shop. You can still buy these but they will be available from my partners sites at http://www.hokaheywargaming.co.uk/ and http://www.waughgames.co.uk/.
We are trying to co-ordinate the change over but you may find some items disappear and then reappear. Sorry for the inconvenience. We have received around another 6 ranges from Graven so it makes sense to do this now.

With this change comes some exciting new announcements, I am stocking the Journals of Horace St.Paul, a series of books written by Neal Cogswell. They are the Journals of St.Paul an Englishman forced to flee the North of England and who served with the Austrian army as an aide to Marshall Browne. Cracking stuff full of orders of battle, maps etc. 

The books will be listed shortly but in the meantime you can always message me. I have received new stock of the upgraded Jacobite rebellion flags from Iain at Flags of War and I am also stocking his AWI flags, again these will be listed shortly.

Having decided to stay with the 18th century my own range of figures will stick firmly around the 1740's and I have some exciting plans for future releases. Shortly there will also be some equipment pieces a British Field forge, generic hay wagon and small ammunition wagon.

Below are some pics of the painted new releases (which I'm still waiting from Griffin -damn holiday season), I will therefore extend the pre.order discount dates on the web shop.

British Infantry regulation dress at ready

 Irish/French Infantry standing easy and marching

 Irish/French Command marching

 Irish/French command standing (waiting for new drummer)

 Grenadier at ready

 Almost forgot these are the four poses of the figure in campaign dress variant 2 i.e. tricorn turned down coat buttoned up.

 
 In addition i have done a couple of conversions, initially i was going to use them as deserters then felt they may be carrying too much kit, so now I will use them just as variants. Question is are they good enough to sell? If so will sell as individual pieces.

Finally coming soon! Using the same dollies to keep scale but a different sculptor I am going to release some other units for the 1740's period. These are the Fusiliers de Morliere. Once the command is done they will be made available. No time scale on these new pieces

Richard is cracking on with the British Dragoons and I think the dismounted figures are going to be something rather special.

Irish Piquets and British Infantry ready to pre.order/ coming soon and Claymore.

The new codes for the Irish Piquets and the remaining British Infantry in campaign dress with turned down tricorne and the 'at ready' pose for all dress are now in the shop and the figures available to pre.order.
The usual 10% discount applies to all pre.orders just enter piquets14 when asked for the coupon.
I hope to have the figures early August so not too long to wait.
Richard has already started on the next set of sculpts, now confirmed as the Irish/French firing line, Mounted British Dragoon, 5 dismounted dragoons skirmishing and the first 3 personalities.

I can't get a stand at Claymore on the 1st August however I am attending and will be travelling up the night before. If anyone wants to order any figures for collection then get in touch via e.mail with what you want. Again I can offer a 10% discount and as at salute the figures will be ready for collection from the Magnetic displays stand.

Stock Due 9th July

Just a quick update, I'm popping over to Griffin on the 9th July to collect the Fife and Drum stock so to all those that placed pre.orders - thank you and your orders will be dispatched by the 12th.

In addition the metal masters for the new Irish Piquets and the rest of the British Line will be ready so I will sort them out for the production moulds whilst there and will hopefully have stock by the end of the month.

I will be doing some pre.order offers on these from the weekend of the 12th.

Crann Tara Miniatures to stock Fife and Drum Miniatures

I am pleased to announce that Jim Purky and I have reached an agreement for me to be the UK and European retailer for his excellent Fife and Drum AWI range. The figures are sculpted by Richard Ansell so there is a great 'cross over' between my @45 range and Jim's.
In addition I am also stocking the majority of his equipment range and his civilians/labourers from the Minden range. I will also be stocking the Government Highlanders from this range (not listed yet).
To celebrate this announcement I am offering a 10% discount on all pre.orders placed between now and the 4th July - just enter 1776 in the coupon box and the discount should apply. - Please note this is for all orders over £10.
Head on over to the shop at  http://www.cranntaraminiatures.co.uk/
Initially figures will be sold in packs of four infantry and three cavalry, this is until I can work out the mould make ups correctly. Discounted unit packs etc will follow in due course.
The initial stock from Griffin is due in anytime soon.
Please don't ask if I will be stocking Minden Miniatures, Jim and I are waiting to see how this partnership works before making a decision on that range.
I am still doing work on the webshop so don't worry if some items appear and disappear from time to time.