Originally Published on the Spanner and the Yank Web Site. Used by permission.

I confess to dancing on the periphery of the AB line, but many of you either have seen or own the bread-and-butter grunts. Both Dal and I review what we buy, so our personal quirks are glaring. (I know we should review some Nap Russians; I just don't own any! Yet.)

The small series of mounted Mamelukes Tony has produced will tempt anyone who has a good relationship with their paint brush. They are not the most finely defined figures he's done. But they are high on the list in terms of animation. If there is one criticism that can be made of AB's, it's that they are a little on the static side... a wee bit stiff. Not so with these knights of the desert.

I received three variations on the order I placed with Nic. My favorite is of an older horseman armed with a pistol. His arm can easily be adjusted so that he's firing down into enemy infantry. It is one of the more intimidating figures in the AB line. The second is a youthful looking figure, with scimitar in hand. The contrast in ages is nice. The third fig is shooting what looks like a sawed-off carbine (I need to do some research) and again can be positioned so that he is firing down.

The charoual trousers and a charged Arabian horse, warrant an 8.5 rating. It would be higher were it not for the the fact that there is only one Mameluke horse. While the position is dramatic, a larger body of these miniatures -- were they to be used as adversaries of Bonaparte in Egypt -- would look a little like the Spanish Riding School -- all rearing in cue. Modification of other AB horses is possible. Select ones with smaller heads.

As Imperial Guard troops in action, they're great as you'll only require a few. They are not wearing the cahouk head-dress typical of the Guard, but the turban is fine for field service. Drawback: No officer or standard-bearer.

There are plenty of reference illustrations to consult for uniform detail and color.

Good Gaming!

Mike