Celtic Rabble

[FanatiChris]

The Warlike and Sedentary Gallic and the Ancient British lists both field several elements of Rabble, described in Triumph! as "Poorly equipped and trained bowmen, slingers, and unshielded javelinmen." These are the same skirmishers classed as psiloi in the DBA list. While working on translating my DBA armies, I was surprised to find the options available for unshielded Gallic javelinmen to be fairly limited. Most makers equip their javelinmen with shields. Short of excising them, here are the makers I found that offer unshielded Celtic javelinmen:

Corvus Belli - If you can find them, the Old Corvus Bellis Celt range had an "Adolescent Skirmisher" code that was perfect. 15mm and barechested, the javeliners had hairless, round boyish faces and definitely looked the part. Totentanz (http://totentanz-miniatures.com/) doesn't seem to be offering this particular code under its Corvus Belli license...at least not yet. David Kuijt has a set in his 15mm Figure Reference if you'd like to check them out at: http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/~kuijt/miscel ... s/CB05.JPG

Xyston - Offers shieldless javelinmen as part of its Gauls/Galatians range. Not "adolescence" skirmishers, some with bare-chest and some in tunic. Check them out at: http://www.scotiagrendel.com/Xyston/ind ... ucts_id=86 Larger than most 15mms, but not the worst in terms of Xyston's occasional scale creep.

Splintered LIght - Check their Scots-Irish javelinmen, which come with separate small shields that can be omitted. See: http://www.splinteredlightminis.com/scja.html. They are lanky and on the 18mm side of the scale, but look pretty appropriate.

I can't speak for Thistle and Rose. Essex doesn't have shieldless Gallic javeliners, nor does Old Glory/Blue Moon, Forged in Battle, or OG15s. In the end, I put an order in for a pack of Xyston. If you have found other makers that offer Celtic shieldless javelinmen...drop a note and let me know what you think.

[Bill Hupp]

We do have shieldless guys at T&R. I'll post a picture when I have a chance.

I do think a couple of shields in a 5 figure group looks fine.

Bill