All finished - let the Battle commence
20 March 2019
In the summer of 2018, we began the task of sourcing the figures for our participation game, the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
The game is all about Custer sweeping into the Indian Village and attempting to capture the families of the absent warriors and gaining glory for himself and his command.
To recreate the battle, we had to build the forces from the ground up. For the US Cavalry we decided to base Custer’s force on company sized bases of nine figures representing 50 to 70 men per base.
We did the companies in both Mounted and Dismounted versions, using only one set of mounted command bases. This gives Custer a mounted force of 12 Company bases and 4 Command bases.
The Dismounted versions uses 10 dismounted figures and three horses with a horse holder to represent the Dismounted company. They use the same command bases as the mounted bases. There are additional formations, such as the two bases that represent Custer’s pack train and the four bases that we have added to represent the controversial Gatling Guns. These are shown above at the rear of the picture and represent two gun bases and two limber bases.
Custer’s Costs
The cost of the 6mm figures and bases in Custer’s Command, before getting them ready to be painted, based, flocked and varnished ready for battle:
Mounted Cavalry £0.19 x 108 = £20.16
Dismounted Cavalry £0.09 x 156 = £14.04
Guns £0.90 x 2 = £1.80
Pack trains £1.32 x 2 = £2.63
Gens £0.24 x 17 = £4.08
Bases £0.20/0.10 x = £5.30
Total Purchase Cost £48.01
Wargamer Collection Calculator gives us a price that covers preparing the figures ready for painting, painting them, cutting them, gluing, basing, flocking, finishing and varnishing ready for battle to a decent wargaming standard. That means that the 35 stands of command, mounted, dismounted and support troops are worth this:
7th Cavalry Regiment - 12 Mounted Company’s £0.52 x 108 = £56.16
7th Cavalry Regiment - 12 Dismounted Company’s £0.25 x 156 = £39.00
7th Cavalry Regiment - 2 Bases Pack Train £0.52 x 16 = £8.32
7th Cavalry Regiment - 2 Gatling Guns Bases £1.78 x 2 = £3.56
7th Cavalry Regiment - 2 Gatling Gun Limbers £2.32 x 2 = £4.64
7th Cavalry Regiment - 5 Command Stands £0.52 x 17 = £8.84
Total Selling Price £120.52
Sioux Indians
We took a slightly different approach with the Indian bases in that they are mixed half and half - half Mounted and half on Foot. This gives them the look and feel of constantly mounting and dismounting during the battle.
Some of the 6 mm figures and bases would cost the following to get Sitting Bulls warriors in to battle on mixed bases before we can start getting them ready to be painted, based, flocked and varnished ready for battle.
Indian Mounted Warriors £0.18 x 145 = £25.52
Indian Warrior Foot £0.08 x 145 = £10.88
Indian Command £0.18 x 35 = £6.16
Bases £0.20/0.10 x = £6.50
Total Purchase Cost £49.06
Wargamer Collection Calculator says that after preparing the figures ready for painting, painting them, cutting them, gluing, basing, flocking, finishing and varnishing ready for battle to a decent wargaming standard and comprising 36 Mixed stands of command, mounted and foot warriors:
Indian Mounted Warriors £0.52 x 145 = £75.40
Indian Warrior Foot £0.25 x 145 = £36.25
Indian Command £0.52 x 35 = £18.20
Total Purchase Cost £129.85
Total Collection Selling Price £250.37
So prices do vary, but by the time you have done all of the work on them why would you sell them for less than you at least paid for them?
Collection Calculator can help. We added the User Defined Price which means you enter the price of the figure that you paid for them and the rest is easy.
We have found a big variance in the way people are setting their own pricing. Some wargamers really undervalue their work while others vastly overpricing it. This is a clear sign that wargamers need some guidance on placing an actual realistic value on their work.
When you think about the processes you have to go through, from basing and then painting them, then add in the cost of the paints, glues and materials and the time you spent on them, you should certainly not undervalue them. Mind you, you will not want to overvalue your work if you want a quick sale.
Take the time to enter your collections on the Collection Calculator to find out the real value of your units and armies. You can then at least sell them, if you want to, at a reasonable and informed price.