Wednesday 15 May 2019

Bob Naismith old fantasy sculpts....updated.


I was very lucky to pick up a collection of Bob's fantasy sculpts....including the dragon at last.....so thought I'd update the original post....problem is you don't know an earlier post has been updated unless you go and look for it...curses. So, I've copied the original text, expanded a little and added the new pics......still a couple of 'not sure' sculpts which could do with some confirmation......

Back in the late 70s and early 80s Bob sculpted a number of now out of production fantasy pieces for various companies. I am led to believe he first sculpted for Wargames Publications (Scotland) Ltd. He sculpted a large amount of historical, both in 15mm and 25mm under 'Naismith Design' label which were distributed by Navwar Productions Limited. The 15mm are mostly still available however the 25mm are long gone and Navwar have never been able to supply any information regarding the masters etc. I would assume they are gathering dust in one of Bob's Highland hideaways......the man is a true Scot through and through. He has sculpted for many different companies over the years including being responsible for the first Games Workshop Space Marines (should I insert a 'TM' there?) - the old classic Womble helmeted ones. He left GW around 1990 to become freelance. He sculpted a large Sci Fi range 'Cobalt' that has recently been picked up by Black Hat Miniatures...they are expanding it and they are superb. He is currently producing plastic for both Fireforge Games and Mantic Games although has branched off into his own very nice range of Sci Fi 'Overunners', available on his new website;

http://www.bobnaismith.com/

These are what I have of the fantasy he released under Naismith Design.....If anyone has any other variants please let me know.


F1 Dungeoneer Duck




F2 Adventurer Elf ready to travel (versions 1 and 2)



F3 Superhero in cape & tights (version 1 and 2)





F4 Thief Adventurer with loot and pack




F5 Skeleton Warrior with sword and shield




F6 Knight of the Order of the Chaotic Pig




F7 Hunchback half troll prowling



 F8 Unarmoured troll advancing





 This one has no markings but seems to fit the description for a second version?


F9 Armoured troll striking - 2 variants, first one is confirmed.....a little assumption with the second....




F10 Troll with shoulder plate marching with a possible 2nd variant below?



F11 Mutant four armed adventurer (versions 1 and 2)




F12 Green adventurer with "muscles" & sword (versions 1 and 2)




F13 Knight of the Order of the Chaotic Ant (versions 1 and 2)





F14 Wizard casting spell



F15 Witch, invoking the spirits


F16 Orc standing guard



 F17 Orc marching, half armoured




F18 Orc in chainmail & plumed helmet advancing


F19 Dwarf with Axe



F20 Armoured Dwarf drawing dagger





SD1 Dragon - Something Special.................


And an unknown hunchback......I don't think he quite fits F7 Hunchback half troll prowling although someone may know better??


Unknown......from his size he belongs to the trolls but there is no code for him.....he doesn't seem to completely fit the 'Knight of the Chaotic Pig'  stance when comparing him to the Chaotic Ant Knight above.....thoughts?? I've now put him as F9 Armoured troll striking up above but the jury is still out....


Two different base inscriptions (I know, I am very sad and lonely). One had the code added which is always useful....



The previous post is here and has pics of some of the wonderful Amesomerican ranges Bob sculpted.

There is a nice interview here at the Magpie & Old Lead blog, another here at the Realm of Chaos 80s blog and a recent one on the tabletop Gaming page here.

The historical ranges are available via this site http://naismithandroundway.co.uk/ - I haven't ordered as yet as I didn't get a reply to an email so if you do order please let me know.

5 comments:

Brutorz Bill said...

If you hear back please post about it. I would love to get some of those for my collection.

Independentwargamesgroup said...

He was a great sculptor. Im certain he created the small Vulcan Miniatures range which contained the wonderful multi piece gendarmes. I am lucky enough to have ten of these. He also sculpted the brilliant Aztec and conquistadors ranges for Naismith. You are a very lucky man.

Springinsfeld said...

Very nice collection...that dragon is very familiar, perhaps a drawing of it appeared in an early White Dwarf or something similar.

David Wood said...

I never saw the Vulcan gendarmes, would be nice to see some at long last!

The dragon looks quite similar to a later Nick Bibby young dragon for Citadel.

Anonymous said...

I realise the blog entry dates back to May and is an updated post from 'way back when' but the Cobalt-1 Minis- and most of the minis Black Hat used to sell- have moved on to new homes in summer(ish) 2018.
Cobalt-1, Mutants & Madmen, Shattered Isles and some other ranges can be found at: https://bridgeminiatures.com
The Tales Of The Dragon Kings (originally sold by BC Miniatures) went from Black Hat to Scotia Grendel and the WW1 fantasy Goblins and Halflings can be found at Macrocosm Miniatures.
ink