Welcome to my page about the hobby of
Historical Miniatures Gaming

Historical miniatures gaming, playing wargames with little figures of soldiers, ships, planes, tanks, etc., became a recognized and organized activity only in the second half of the nineteenth centruy. It originated as a formal activity, with rules and organization, by the general staff of the German army only a few years after the formation of a unified Germany. The German army staff used this as a way to plan potential future campaigns, and to train the officers of the army. Other nation's armies soon began to copy the German army's system. Soon after this German and British companies began making and selling inexpensive soldier figures.

One of the first people to create and publish a set of rules for miniature wargaming for the public was the famous author H. G. Wells. His book 'Little Wars', published near the turn of the 20th century, he described games he and friends had played with small metal soldiers and spring powered cannon that 'fired' small projectiles. They played these games indoors and outside on his lawn.

The hobby slowly grew, and began to reach an early maturity in the 1920's. It was only in the 1950's that the hobby began to be recognized as something for everyone, not just little boys and old retired soldiers. In the last 25 years the number of companies supporting this hobby, and consequently the resouces available to play the hobby, have expanded exponentially.

Some Interesting Hobby Related Links

For more information and links to other sites visit the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, East web page.

Other interesting links:

Table Top Tactics

Weg Grognards (Don't ask, just go there)

Colonial Angle

Halmark Figures