This is the first set that we have reviewed from Nikolai, and it is something different from the usual fare. Instead of the dozen or more cavalry figures in soft plastic, this set contains just three figures and is cast in resin.

The three figures represent an officer and two troopers in relaxed poses. The horses are standing while the men are perhaps on guard duty, or resting while on patrol.

All the figures and horses are very nicely sculpted, with a wealth of detail on show. Anatomically the figures are faultless as well, with properly proportioned heads (an all too rare feature in our view) and a very natural look. The men wear the uniform that was worn for the Zulu War of 1879, and are correct in every detail. The officer is similarly correct, and has been modelled with the unofficial but very common brown leather belt and revolver holster.

The horses have all the correct equipment, and two even include spare boots strapped to the rolled cloak in front of the saddle. They all have the round valise behind the saddle with the mess tin strapped on top, but unfortunately reigns have not been provided for any of them. Two carbines in their holster are provided separately (not shown above), which allows them to be correctly placed on the saddle. Note that none of the horses has a base, but all have at least three hooves on the ground and stand by themselves successfully.

The troopers are provided with lances, which come as separate items, and pennons, which also come separately though we would have thought they should be attached to the lance, allowing the customer to remove them if desired. The lances are the 1868 pattern, which were 2.75 metres long and usually made of bamboo. Almost unheard of amongst sets of lancers, these lances are the perfect scale length, and are sculpted to look like bamboo too.

This is a case of quality over quantity. Wargamers may want to see more figures per set, and they would usually prefer the charging poses, but for collectors and anyone interested in quality military miniatures these are unbeatable.