Stone Wall (Hobby Lobby)-Review

"James, we're journalists, not spies!"

Do your troops need cover in an intense firefight?  Maybe your farms would like a sturdy enclosure to mark their land?  Are your spies requesting an obstacle to screen them from prying eyes?  A stone wall is a necessity for all of these things, and this particular one is admirable for 54mm soldiers.  Now you can recreate the retreat to Boston (1775) or the storm of Leuthen Church (1757), along with numerous other battles and skirmishes!

Manufactured and distributed by Hobby Lobby (a U.S. craft store chain), this wall is distributed as part of their fairy garden line "My Garden Friends."  Of course, it is easily repurposed!  Published dimensions are 6 5/8 inches long, 2 1/16 inches high, and 3/4 inch thick. (For dimensions, ordering info, and store availability, visit https://www.hobbylobby.com/Floral-Wedding/Floral-Supplies/Fairy-Garden/Stone-Wall/p/89747906)  It is factory painted, so color schemes do vary slightly.  Also, the original can be coated with glitter, but it is easily ignored.  The wall in the pictures is "off-the-shelf" with no conversion or paint.

Based on the dimensions, it is a substantial obstacle for your 54mm troops.  But more importantly, can soldiers fire over it?  Standing against the wall to fire are (from left to right), an Armies in Plastic soldier, an LOD soldier, another Armies in Plastic soldier, and an ATS soldier.  All of them have the height required to rest their musket on top of the wall and fire over.  The only soldier that I had trouble with was a standing firing BMC British grenadier.  His gun is held far too low to reach the top of the wall.  The rest of the figures worked just fine.  In addition, most 54mm troops will be able to look over the wall at their enemies, while remaining fully defended by it.

This wall also makes a quick backdrop for action!

Though Redcoats & Ruffles focuses on the 18th Century, this piece is good in multiple eras.  I will certainly be acquiring more of them in the near future!

Colonial Enforcer (Marx/Glencoe)

 This fellow began as a recast Marx pirate captain.  He decided to shed the unsavory reputation of a pirate captain and, shaving his unkempt beard, became a secretive fellow.  Spy, informer, gun-for-hire, no one is exactly sure what his profession is. Does he want a more genteel profession than pirate—or just one that is more lucrative?

Mr. Mercer participating in questioning disaffected persons

While his outfit is inspired by Mr. Mercer of Pirates of the Caribbean, I deliberately chose muted colors and no lace so that he could blend into the crowd.  And in a pinch, he can serve with the colonial militia.

Figure by Glencoe recasts from the original by Louis Marx and Co.  Minor conversion, including shaving a beard and sculpting a longer waistcoat.