Confederate Infantry

Italeri 1:72 Scale Figure Review

The box contains a nice mixture of infantry officers and men in shell jackets, most of whom can be painted to represent Union Infantry as well. In fact, the miniatures are a little too uniform to represent late war rebel infantry. Within nine years of the original product review, published in January 1999, the Italeri Confederate Infantry figures pictured here have brittled and disintegrated.

51 Figures with 14 Poses, 1 Horse
24 mm equal 173 cm Height
Cavalry Officer with Revolver
3 Officers with drawn Sword
Standard-Bearer & Drummer
9 Standing (Kepi)
15 Advancing (Kepi, Hat)
12 Firing (Kepi)
3 Loading (Hat)
3 Fixing Bayonet (Kepi)
3 Dismounted Cavalry

Evaluation

Excellent detail. Folds in the clothing, facial features, buttons, metal fittings, and weapons are beautifully detailed.
Striking faces, each figure is a character.
Useful historic poses. These troops are good value for wargamers who need to fill entire regiments.
The dismounted cavalry trooper does not really belong in this box, but he’s a welcome addition to the growing number of cavalry skirmishers available in this scale. The man actually makes a perfect horse holder, and his carbine can be used to upgrade any cavalry figure lacking one.
The standard-bearer is a very nice figure, but the flag is too small. Wargamers may find this acceptable, modellers may want to scratch-build the proper item.
Most figures in this set may be painted to represent infantry of either army.
Good casting quality, some flash.
Cast in light gray plastic, these Confederates are suitable for speedpainting. Unfortunately, the PE plastic of these figures has brittled and disintegrated within nine years of purchase.

As is the case in other figure sets, some standard equipment is carried incorrectly. The most frustrating problem is that many figures carry the cartridge box on the left hip, where they can’t reach it during reloading. Likewise, the bayonet scabbard is worn left or right, as the sculptor wishes. Bayonet scabbards differ in length noticeable.
The officers carry their pistols incorrectly, with the butt facing backwards, and the holsters are not of the military variety. Best cut these off and scratch-build your own. Tassles are in evidence to the left of the belt buckle, but the sashes are not visible underneath the belt. Sculptors, please note: The waist-belt is not a sash! None of the officers show the typical Confederate rank markings, hungarian style knots on the lower arms. These will have to be painted on.
Too many of the men carry regulation knapsacks which would have been quickly lost or discarded in the field. Clearly, these troops are not veteran rebel infantry.
The crouching, firing man is in a very uncomfortable and, therefore, unrealistic pose for a combat infantryman.
The mounted officer’s horse is rearing, not a very versatile pose for a diorama or wargame unit. Wargamers and diorama builders may need one of these dramatically posed animals, but figure manufacturers give us entire armies of them. What a waste of valuable resources. The officer himself is a cavalry type, although he may be painted to represent a general officer.

Historical Employment

Confederate Infantry, 1861–1865
Union Infantry, 1861–1865

This box offers good value for money. Most of the poses are solid wargaming types, and they will mix well with figures available from other manufacturers.

Bibliography

On Campaign – The Civil War Art of Keith Rocco, pp. 29, 35-39, 44-45, 52, 60-64, 75-77, 85-86, 92
Wise, Terence: Military Flags of the World, 1618–1900, Plates 58-59

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American Civil War Miniatures