Minifigs S Range Assyrians and Ancient Horses

 

Updated 12th August 2025

The next installment... I do need single examples of the ones that are missing please! These were produced from 1968 as far as we can work out. The sculptor was probably Dick Higgs. There appears to different names associated with the codes so there may have been resculpts going on.

Quote from Vintage Wargaming;

These figures first appeared in autumn 1966. In 1968 when the S range ancient figures were launched the 20mm figure selection was renamed the JonBee range in honour of the designer John Braithwaite. They disappeared shortly afterwards possibly because Braithwaite had launched his own Garrison range.

Infantry

AA 1 Noble, full mail, firing bow / AA 1s Assyrian officer

(AA1 on the base)

AA 2s Assyrian Standard Bearer

?

AA 3 Light infantry throwing spear

?

AA 4s Assyrian Heavy Archer Firing Bow

AA 5 Light archer firing bow

?

AA 6s Assyrian Heavy Slinger

AA 7s Light spearman with Shield Advancing

AA 8 Light archer

?

AA 9 Light swordsman

?

AA 10 Standard bodyguard swordsman

?

AA 11 Standard bodyguard clubman

?

AA 12s Assyrian Heavy Spearman Charging

AA 13 Assyrian charioteer

?

AA 15s Assyrian Medium Archer

AA 16s Assyrian Javelinman

AA 17s Assyrian Wicker Shield

?

Cavalry

Please note my examples are later seperate castings, the originals were one piece which they phased out early on.

AAC 1s Assyrian Lancer

AAC 2s Assyrian Horse Archer

AAC 3s Assyrian or Parthian Half Armoured Cataphract

Images of the original one piece castings are c/o Pascal Mahe. I need these!

AAC 4s Assyrian Chariot

1972 catalogue image... I have the oxen somehow!

Listings and id compiled via the 1972/73 catalogues, Wargamer's Newsletter and;

https://www.planetdiecast.com/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=category&category_id=362&Itemid=2579&page=5

and

http://www.vintagewargamingfigures.info/rblack/minilist20.htm

All credit to them both. More research required to fill the gaps!

Wargamer's Newsletter May 1968 ad introducing the 'Special' or S range...

Cavalry Horses 25mm "S" Range

Ancient Period

ACH 1s Half Armoured Cavalry Horse

?

ACH 2s Fully Armoured Cataphract Horse

?

ACH 3s Ancient Britain Chariot Horse (inscribed ACH IIIs)

ACH 4s Eqyptian Chariot Horse

ACH 5s Ancient Cavalry Horse Trotting

ACH 6s Ancient Cavalry Horse Cantering

ACH 6s Ancient Cavalry Horse Cantering

ACH 7s Ancient Cavalry Horse Galloping

?

ACH 8s Half Armoured Cataphract Horse for Sassanid

?

Camels

Camel 1s Dromedary Trotting - here being ridden by PBC35 Camel Rider

I just need the camel!

Camel 2s Bactrian Trotting

Camel 3s armoured dromedary

?

Artillery - Animals - 25mm "S"Range

NFAH 1s Limber Horse

?

NFAH 2s Pack Horse

?

NFAH 3s Ox

Please leave a comment or two or even contact me on enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk

Minifigs JonBee Ancient Greeks - possibly!

 

Back in the dawn of time (mid 60's), in the early days of Miniature Figurines John Braithwaite, who later formed the machine behind Garrison Miniatures wargame figures, sculpted a number of historical pieces for Neville Dickinson in that currently popular 20mm scale that would allow their use alongside Airfix figures. It has to be said that a lot of the JonBe minis were possibly derived from converting said Airfix minis... The JonBee listing is taken from the wonderful Parumpugna blog, a veritable goldmine of old school joy.

https://parumpugna.blogspot.com/2013/01/jonbee-20mm-listing.html

As and when we can get confimation of the minis origins they wll be added to the Lost Minis WIKI;

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

Greeks AGr 1 Officer throwing spear

AGr 2 Hoplite advancing with spear

AGr 3 Hoplite charging with spear

AGr 4 Phalanx hoplite with long spear

AGr 5 Light archer firing bow

AGr 6 Macedonian phalangite

AGr 7 Peltast

AGr 8 Spartan hoplite throwing spear

AGr 9 Slinger with shield

AGrC 1 Mounted spearman with shield

Very few of the below minis have codes, this seemingly was a later thing however I've added what codes there are (some of which were added in en by their previous owner. If you know what everything is please comment below or email me! These came together in a lovely job lot so some may be other manufacturers?

MF AGr 8.5

G10 and G11 (possibly early Warrior Miniatures)

G9s

G7

G5

No markings

No markings

AG2 (a Lamming figure, not minifigs)

No markings on the rider

ACH5s

Any thoughts etc please leave a comment or giveme a shout on enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk

Minifigs S Range Ancients and more old stuff to id

 

I was fortunate indeed to pick up a largish collection of old school miniatures including a great selection of the old S ('Special') ancients ranges from Minifigs - bear in mind these were released around May 1968. It's a slow process to work everything out however the VINTAGE20MIL blog is a gold mine of information. Thanks John Cunningham!

http://www.vintagewargamingfigures.info/rblack/index.html

Onto the pics - these are quick pics I took whilst unpacking and will sort everything out for another post at some point. Lots of Hinchliffe and Garrison along with Skytrex/Leicester Micro Model and Minifigs microarmour and galleys (thanks Rick P for your help identifying). If you can help id anything please let me know. A few extras at the bottom for more internet points!

Mostly early AR although there's a sneaky Byzantine bowman there.

Greeks.

Romans.

A wonderful haul of the early Samurai range - unfortuntely a lot were drilled and replacement weapons added. Understandable for gaming but a bit of a 'Doh!' moment.

The joy of a G&B baggie of gladiators!

Micro Armour - a bt mix of companies I think. Both Cannon Miniatures and Leicester Micromodels used wire for barrels and Minifigs didn't have barrels? Assume you supplied your own. The lying down German Infantrymen are Minifigs... the rest open to conjecture!

Galleys are Skytrex (thanks Rick) - one will be finding its way into my Series 77 Greek Hoplite with boy on his shoulder as it came missing the toy galley and I think one of these will be the perfect replacement. 15mm are possibly Peter Laing? 

A coupe of Greek Hoplites... any thoughts?

A Draco standard but I can't find a reference for it!

Any idea on the horse? No markings.

Not sure on this one. He's on his way - possibly an early one piece castingAssyrian/Persian? 

Separately I managed to pick up the re-designed Samurai SAM2. Slow process but we're getting there.

As always leave a comment or give me a shout;

enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk