Muskets and Magnification
The Chronicles of the Silesian Wars (1740–1763)
Welcome, fellow commander. This page serves as the digital headquarters for my monumental Silesian Wars wargaming project. My ambition is to meticulously model and recreate the decisive battles, legendary regiments, and grueling campaigns that defined the mid-18th century.
This journey spans the entire conflict between the rising Prussian state and the Habsburg Empire. From Frederick the Great’s sudden invasion of Silesia in 1740 to the final, world-altering peace of 1763, I am bringing this "Age of Enlightenment" warfare to life on the tabletop.
The 6mm Vision
To capture the true "grand scale" of linear warfare, I have chosen Baccus 6mm figures as the heart of this project. The unique scale of 6mm allows for a level of magnification that larger scales simply cannot match; it enables us to see the sweeping movements of entire army corps and the vast, rigid lines of musketry as they were meant to be seen. In this project, a battalion looks like a battalion, and a battlefield feels like a theatre of war.
Rules and Research
The tactical engine for these engagements is the Black Powder / Last Argument of Kings ruleset. These rules strike the perfect balance between playable tabletop mechanics and the distinctive period flavour of 18th-century warfare—where command, friction, and the "thin blue line" are everything.
Every post, regiment, and map on this blog is grounded in historical rigour. I rely heavily on the academic work of Christopher Duffy for organisational data and cartography, alongside the incredible primary-source journals of Horace St Paul.
Technical Standards & Basing
The success of a large-scale project relies on absolute consistency. To accurately represent the combined arms of the era while prioritising visual spectacle and ease of play, I use the following definitive basing conventions for all regiments:
24-Figure Infantry Regiment
- Total Strength: 24 Figures
- Frontage: 60mm
- Base Size: 60mm x 30mm
- Layout: Two ranks of 12 figures
12-Figure Cavalry Regiment
- Total Strength: 12 Figures
- Frontage: 40mm
- Base Size: 40mm x 50mm
- Layout: Two ranks of 6 figures
Artillery Battery
- Total Strength: 3 Guns & 12 Crew
- Base Size: 60mm x 30mm
- Layout: Standardised battery frontage
Explore the Campaign Hubs
The Commissioning Painter
All 6mm figures for this project are commissioned and painted by:
Robert Jackson (Mersey Wargames)
Business Name: Mersey Wargames
Email: rgjackson100@gmail.com
Phone: 0151 280 0833
Address: Flat 3, 45 Seel Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK L1 4AZ
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