In the world of historical miniature wargaming, few things are as satisfying as surveying your beautifully painted battalions, regiments, and divisions arranged in perfect formation across a meticulously crafted battlefield. While many gamers start their journey collecting figures needed for specific rule sets or scenarios, there’s a particularly rewarding approach that has stood the test of time: collecting armies by nation and period. This method not only provides a deeper connection to history but offers flexibility and purpose that can sustain your enthusiasm for decades.
The Appeal of National Armies
Historical miniature gaming sits at the fascinating intersection of art, history, and strategic gameplay. When you commit to building armies by nation and historical period, you’re embarking on a journey that transcends simple gaming pieces. You’re recreating history in miniature, capturing the distinctive character, equipment, and fighting style of actual historical forces.
Collecting by nation allows you to develop a special connection with your chosen force. You become intimately familiar with their uniforms, weapons, tactics, and historical campaigns. This knowledge enriches your gaming experience and often leads to a deeper appreciation of history itself. Many wargamers find themselves developing extensive libraries about their chosen nations and periods, becoming amateur historians in the process.
Additionally, nation-specific collections offer remarkable versatility. The same French Napoleonic army can be fielded in games representing battles from 1805 to 1815, across multiple rule systems, from grand tactical to skirmish level engagements. This approach provides more gaming opportunities than narrowly building for specific scenarios.
Choosing Your Nation and Period
The first and most important decision for any historical wargamer is selecting which nation and time period to collect. This choice will guide potentially years of painting, research, and gameplay, so it deserves careful consideration.
Historical Interest
The most successful collections typically begin with genuine historical fascination. Are you captivated by the revolutionary fervor of Republican Rome? The disciplined professionalism of Wellington’s Peninsular army? The desperate courage of the Spanish conquistadors? Start with a period that already holds your interest, as this natural enthusiasm will sustain you through the inevitable painting marathons.
Aesthetic Appeal
Never underestimate the importance of visual appeal. You’ll spend countless hours painting these miniatures, so choose armies whose appearance excites you. Perhaps you’re drawn to the splendid scarlet tunics of British redcoats, the ornate armor of Samurai warriors, or the flamboyant uniforms of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard. Select an army you’ll enjoy seeing on your painting table day after day.
Gaming Considerations
Consider practical gaming factors as well. Do you have regular opponents with complementary armies? Is there an active community in your area playing your chosen period? While collecting should primarily follow your interests, these practical considerations can enhance your overall enjoyment of the hobby.
Building a Coherent Collection
Once you’ve selected your nation and period, it’s time to plan your collection. Rather than purchasing randomly, a structured approach will yield better results both for gaming and display purposes.
Research and Planning
Begin with thorough research. Understand the organization of your chosen army, its typical composition, and how it evolved during your selected period. For instance, a mid-18th century Prussian force under Frederick the Great had very different organization than a Prussian army of 1813. Osprey books, dedicated historical works, and period army lists are invaluable resources here.
Create a master plan for your collection, starting with core units and expanding outward. This prevents the common pitfall of having too many partially completed units and ensures you’ll have usable forces for games even before your collection is complete.
Scale and Manufacturer Consistency
Consistency is crucial for a visually appealing collection. Decide on your scale early (28mm, 15mm, 6mm, etc.) and try to maintain consistency with manufacturers. While mixing can sometimes work, differences in proportion and style can be jarring when units are placed side by side. Companies like Perry Miniatures, Warlord Games, Old Glory, and Baccus 6mm all offer extensive ranges that allow you to build entire armies from a single manufacturer.
Basing Standards
Establish a consistent basing approach that works across different rule systems you might use. Many gamers adopt a flexible basing system, such as individual figures on small bases that can be grouped on larger movement trays. This allows the same collection to work with different rule sets without rebasing.
Expanding Across a Period
One of the most satisfying aspects of nation-based collecting is the ability to represent your chosen force across an entire historical period, showing its evolution over time.
Evolutionary Collecting
Many nations underwent fascinating military evolution during key historical periods. The Roman army transformed dramatically from Republic to Late Empire. French Revolutionary troops evolved into Napoleon’s Grande Armée. American forces developed rapidly during the Civil War. By collecting units that represent different stages of this evolution, you create a more complete historical representation and gain more gaming options.
Allies and Enemies
A natural expansion from your core national force is to collect historical allies and enemies. A British Napoleonic army can be complemented by Portuguese and Spanish allies, creating a complete Peninsular War collection. A German WWII Eastern Front force pairs naturally with Romanian or Hungarian contingents. These additions provide variety while maintaining historical coherence.
Bringing Your Collection to Life
A national army collection truly shines when attention is paid to the details that bring historical accuracy and character to your miniatures.
Flags and Standards
Few elements add as much historical character as accurately reproduced flags and standards. Companies like GMB Designs, Flag Dude, and Maverick Models offer historically researched printed flags for countless nations and periods. These small additions dramatically increase the visual impact and historical authenticity of your units.
Command Groups and Characters
Invest extra effort in command groups and character figures. Well-executed officers, standard bearers, and musicians become the visual focal points of your units. Similarly, representing specific historical commanders (Wellington, Saladin, Caesar) adds narrative depth to your collection and provides painting challenges that improve your skills.
Terrain and Accessories
Complete your national collection with period-appropriate terrain and accessories. A Napoleonic Russian army deserves onion-domed churches and snow-covered fields. Japanese Samurai should fight among rice paddies and Buddhist temples. This environmental context enhances both display and gaming experiences.
The Joy of Completion and the Endless Journey
There’s a special satisfaction in fielding a historically accurate, visually cohesive army that represents a specific nation at a particular moment in history. Yet paradoxically, such collections are never truly “finished.” There’s always another regiment to add, a specialized unit to include, or a command vignette to create.
This combination of achievable milestones within an endlessly expandable framework is what makes collecting by nation and period so rewarding. You can complete enough forces for satisfying games within months, while still having projects to anticipate for years to come.
Conclusion
Collecting historical miniature armies by nation and period connects us to history in a tangible, immersive way that few other hobbies can match. It combines artistic expression, historical research, and strategic gameplay into a deeply rewarding pursuit. Whether you’re drawn to the phalanxes of ancient Greece, the knights of medieval France, or the tank divisions of WWII Germany, building a nationally focused collection allows you to create not just gaming pieces, but a physical representation of history itself.
As you survey your painted battalions, each with its correct uniforms, equipment, and banners, you’re not just looking at miniatures. You’re seeing history brought to life through your own dedication and craftsmanship. And that connection to the past is perhaps the greatest reward this wonderful hobby has to offer.
