A Two-Year Milestone. . .

Here's a close-up shot of Stollen's 1st (Princesse Waltraud's Own) Battery of Artillery in action during the recent Action at Pelznikkel. Of all the Stollenian units engaged that day, this unit acquitted itself well by all accounts. . . unlike the easily driven off allied dragoons and infantry along with the lethargic jaeger corps!

The Grand Duchy of Stollen blog is now just over two years old. While the kernel of ideas that have become the Grand Duchy of Stollen “classic wargaming” project can be traced back to December 2005, the continuing documentation of that project began right here on August 19, 2006. Australia’s own Greg Horne (the man behind the Duchy of Alzheim) had an article appear in an early issue of Battlegames that year, which inspired me to have a go at blogging about the hobby myself. And, two years later, here we are with 33,126 visits!

As a thank-you to all of the wonderful friends, acquaintances, and interested parties around the world, who have helped to make this blog (and, indeed, my wargaming experience) what it is, here is yet another picture taken earlier this month, during the Action at Pelzkikkel. This time, we see a full crew (according to the guidelines outlined in Charge!) of Revell plastic 1/72 artillery crew, manning two metal 25mm MiniFig cannon. KA-BOOM!!!

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Taking Stock Part II: The (As Yet) Unpainted but Planned OOB. . .

Two companies of Reichsarmee grenadiers painted back in 2017 or 2018. Minden Austrians of course. A lovely early autumn day here in the grand duchy. Bright sunshine and a light breeze with cool temperatures will make for some very pleasant late afternoon lawn mowing in a little while. But first a bit more discussion of painting plans for the future. Last time, I looked back at the various and sundry units, support troops, and civilians that I've managed to paint in the last 17 years as the Grand Duchy of Stollen project has developed. So today, let's look into the seemingly bottomless Drawer 'o' Lead to my left for a clue to the new direction. Be forewarned, it's not going to be a quick job getting everything painted and based, but there we are. The following plans are based on the pile of unpainted figures already here. Any future purchases will be limited to small things that might be needed to fill out the envisioned units (the odd few officers mounted o

Having a "No Day". . .

F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day." A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day. I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers. These have stood waiting untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday a

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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