Monday, 18 November 2024

Naismith Design Aztecs / Mayans - back to the 80's!

 

Edit - updated 22nd April 2026 with a catalogue listing so missing codes updated. Where there's no pic I need it!

Edit - updated 19/12/2025 - pics of AZ49 Amazon Archer added (thanks Iain) - more to find. How many other missing codes I wonder!


Back in the early 80's Bob Naismith sculpted a massive range of figures in both 15 and 25mm for Navwar, under the umbrella of Naismith Design. Until recently the 15mm were still available but unfortunately the owner, Tony Anderson, passed away in May this year.

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Navwar founder, Tony Anderson, who left us on 12/05/2024 at the age of 78. Tony spent over 55 years building his wargaming and ships business and his passion and attention to detail has been second to none. He will be greatly missed.

The business will continue to be operated by Tony's wife (Noshi Anderson) with the casting of models to continue. Please have patience with us whilst we transition at this difficult time.

(Via TMP) - The company was originally a partnership between Bob Naismith and Navwar, with casting taking place sometimes in Glasgow and sometimes in London. It was never more than a part-time income for Bob, however, so he instead moved on (around 1984) to work with Bryan Ansell at Citadel Miniatures and Naismith Design became wholly owned by Navwar.

Bob is (obviously!) notable for his original sculpts of the Citadel / Games Workshop Space Marines... started with a limited edition (limited to how many they could cast I think) and the followed up with the wonderful C100 range (image c/o Stuff of Legends, link to the page below).


I bought a few of the Aztec baggies back in the day, not sure where from, possibly mail order however then, more recently, picked up a load with a veiw to getting them up on the blog and the Lost Minis WIKI! Greater love hath no man. He did Aztecs, Mayans, Inca and Conquistadores for this genre... lots of others such as Roman, Ancient Greek, Medieval etc which were all in the same lovely style.

AZTECS

AZ1 Novice Warrior, Spear and Shield at Ease


AZ2 Warrior, Quilted Tunic, Firing Bow


AZ3 Warrior, Quilted Tunic, Throwing over arm


AZ4 Warrior, Quilted Tunic, Charging


AZ5 Warrior, Quilted Tunic with Two Handed Cutting Weapon

AZ6 Warrior, Quilted Battlesuit, Tall Helmet, Charging


AZ7 Warrior, Quilted Battlesuit, Cylindrical Helmet, Throwing


AZ8 Warrior, Quilted Battlesuit, Coyote Helmet, Receiving


AZ9 Warrior, Quilted Battlesuit, Veteran (Quachic), Advancing


AZ10 Warrior Priest, Quilted Battlesuit (Slashed Ears), Standing


AZ11 Warrior, Quilted Battlesuit, Helmet, Raising Arms


AZ12 Jaguar Knight, Quilted Battlesuit, at Ease


AZ13 Jaguar Knight, Quilted Battlesuit, Advancing


AZ14 Eagle Knight, Advancing


AZ15 Pack of Assorted Back Banners and Supports


AZ16 Aztec with Quilted Tunic and Sling

AZ51 Aztec Weapon Pack


AZ60 Otomi Knight with Bow and Cutting Weapon


AZ61 Arrow Knight

MAYANS

AZ28 Peasant Infantry with Sling


AZ29 Peasant Infantry, Advancing


AZ30 Officer with Back Banner


AZ31 Musician with Trumpet and Maracas


AZ32 Standard Bearer with Feather Banner


AZ33 Warrior, Spear and Bow

AZ34 Warrior, Throwing Spear


AZ35 Warrior on Guard


AZ36 Warrior at Ease


AZ37 Warrior, Charging


AZ38 Warrior, Advancing


AZ39 Warrior, Attacking


AZ52 Mayan Weapon Pack

INCA

AZ40 Officer

AZ41 Standard Bearer

AZ42 Warrior, Household Regt. Advancing

AZ43 Warrior, Household Regt. in Reserve

AZ44 Warrior Advancing with Spear


AZ45 Warrior Loading Sling

AZ46 Colla Warrior with Bolas

AZ47 Equadorian Warrior with Two Handed Sword

AZ48 Chinchiyaolsan Warrior with Javelin

AZ49 Amazon Archer (thanks for the images Iain)



AZ50 General on Foot


AZ53 Inca Weapon Pack

AZ52 Mayan Weapon Pack


EQUIPMENT GROUPS

EQ7 Inca War Dogs & Handler



EQ8 Inca Religious Group



EQ9 Inca Chieftain on Litter


Can't find my chieftain figure... I did have a Slann conversion for it (somewhere else on blog)


PA2 Aztec General in Human Skin Suit with Back Banners


There is an eleven pack Conquistador range that I'll put up at some point. I'll also take some pics of my loose ones.

Finally found a 1992 catalogue listing from an Australian distributor; Battlefront.

Some of the Naismith Design packs are up on the WIKI, these will follow at some point.

 https://www.miniatures-workshop.com/lostminiswiki/index.php?title=Naismith_Design

You can find a bunch of other images and stuff on Bob on the blog via the Naismith Design label;

http://www.deartonyblair.co.uk/search/label/Naismith%20Design

There's a great Osprey book on Aztecs etc on Amazon available below (associate link so I'd get a penny or so if you do purchase)

Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies: v. 239 (Men-at-Arms)

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