Qualiticast vs Esci, Napoleonic foot

The photo above compares three plastic figures from Esci (A,C,E) with a pair of metal guardsmen from Qualiticast (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from Qualiticast’s Napoleonic Range. They are listed as code NF40 “French Imperial Guard Fusilier/Grenadier Standing Firing” on the original packaging. Note that this does not match the codes given in other places, such as at Brookhurst Hobbies (which carried them at the time.)

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

Qualiticast stopped producing figures around 2005 and it is now very hard to find remaining stock at hobby distributors. Used figures do show up on auction sites fairly regularly.

Notes on the Samples:

The samples were obtained from Mike Epting in a trade.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures come from two Esci sets:
A: Box 226 “Napoleonic Wars Waterloo 1815, Prussian and Austrian Infantry”
C, E: Box 236 “Napoleonic Wars Russian Grenadiers.”

Each box contains 50 figures in 15 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Box 236 Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.

Availability:

The Esci figures are no longer in production, but used figures are easily found, and unopened boxes still show up occasionally on auction sites.

Notes on the Samples:

The Esci samples were donated by Liam Sullivan and obtained in a trade with Will McNally.