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Re: US Cavalry Skirmishing

There were actually many Indian Wars battles DURING the Civil War, which means these figures and many other 1/72 ACW sets can be used against Indians. And many of the battles saw the cavalry using either Sharps or Spencer carbines. They look very similar. I think the Strelets cavalry are using the Spencers. You notice one trooper pulling the lever to reload the carbine. That is how you load a Sharps or the Spencer. But the Sharps is a single shot, and the Spencer, after you pull the lever, has a tube that you insert, with 7 round rounds, into the butt of the carbine. The box artwork, seems to confirm the carbine modelled. And the figs appear to carry the long boxes that carry the ammo tubes.

https://files.osgnetworks.tv/2/files/2015/10/spencer-4.jpg

and loading a Spencer

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fb/dc/60/fbdc60ad42c99107766b941e1df006b7.jpg

I think IMEX figures have Spencers (though just one pose has a carbine), but no ammo tubes, and the Italeri seem to have Sharps.
And just about all ACW Union Infantry can be used against Indians in these battles from 1862 – 1867.

1862
Battle of Apache Pass. Mostly Infantry (riding on mules) but some cavalry.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Apache_Pass

1862
Sioux uprising in Minnesota, this was a big war.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakota_War_of_1862

1864
The battle first battle of Adobe Walls pitted US Cavalry, with mountain howitzers under command of Kit Carson (yes, that Kit Carson, he was a Union Colonel in the war) against Kiowa, Comanche and Plains Apache.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Adobe_Walls

These illustrations of Adobe Walls shows troopers with Sharps carbines:

https://www.wargamesillustrated.net/osprey-books/#jp-carousel-15262

https://www.historynet.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ACW-Borderlands-1200x480.jpg

1864-1865
The Colorado War, mostly against Cheyenne. This was another big one, and unfortunately, included the Sand Creek Massacre.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_War

I read the Starr carbine was issued to many of the 1st and 2nd Colorado troopers at Sand Creek (almost all Volunteer cavalry). But the carbine looks very similar to the Spencer.

https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/sand-creek.jpeg?w=800&quality=85

1866
Fetterman Fight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetterman_Fight

This was US Cavalry and infantry, well before the the 1873 Springfield, and it looks like the troopers used Spencers, which look very similar in this scale.

https://www.hmdb.org/Photos3/324/Photo324142o.jpg

I think, even if the weapons were still being used up to 1873, the uniform starts changing enough that Strelets Civil War cavalry cannot be used any more. Moreover, even IMEX’s cavalry may be less useful. Field troops started wearing the kepi less and the campaign hat more.
Arlin

Re: US Cavalry Skirmishing

Hi Arlin,

I look forward to reading through all of the links you've provided over the weekend!

All the discussion of carbines and uniforms makes me wish the Strelets Team would produce another sef of US Cavalry Dismounted to go with their Set 1 mounted Cavalry. A good Custers Last Stand by Strelets would be at the top of my wish list.

OK, cheers!

Re: US Cavalry Skirmishing

Yes Arlin, my thanks as well for your resources. So I think it's fair to say that Civil War sets can be used for battles against the Native Americans both during and soon after the war, whereas for later periods sets like Strelets U.S. Cavalry works better. I quite like that set, in my mind it's the best made on the subject. Wouldn't mind seeing set 2!

Re: US Cavalry Skirmishing

Colin,

I just want to thank you for initiating this thread. I have had a life-long interest in this aspect of U.S. history and it's refreshing to discover other's interest also.

Hopefully the Strelets Team will continue on with more sets for the Wild West theme. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Cheers!

Re: US Cavalry Skirmishing

GarrisonClay
Colin,

I just want to thank you for initiating this thread. I have had a life-long interest in this aspect of U.S. history and it's refreshing to discover other's interest also.

Hopefully the Strelets Team will continue on with more sets for the Wild West theme. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Cheers!
Thank you Garrison, this has always been a fascinating period for me as well. I always liked to read books and watch films about the Indian Wars between Native Warriors and the Bluecoats when I was a kid. I feel like the Strelets set of US Cavalry is the best made in our scale, and like you I would love to see Strelets add more to this range one day.

Re: US Cavalry Skirmishing

Arlin,

I enjoyed going thru all your references this weekend. Thank you for taking the time to list them out.

The carbines, especially, are a very interesting aspect of the U.S. Cavalry during the 1800's, and I learned alot about them while enjoying this thread.

I look forward to reading more, also as time allows, and I hope Strelets Team continues on with the Wild West theme.

Cheers for now!