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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Pinkerton agents

In 1855, Allan Pinkerton created the North-Western Police Agency, later known as the Pinkerton Agency. From humble beginnings in Chicago, it was to become the largest private law enforcement organization in the world. 

In 1862, Pinkerton was hired as Lincoln's bodyguard. He broke up a scheme to assassinate the President on the way to his inauguration. By the end of the Civil War, the agency's reputation was well-established. The railroads and post office became two of Pinkerton's most lucrative clients. His agents gained a reputation for toughness, thoroughness and professionalism. They kept files on suspects and were credited with creating the first rogue's gallery, using photographs to identify criminals. Agents kept case journals and documentation, cracking cases through research, undercover work and surveillance.

Pinkertons were hired to track outlaws like Jesse James, the Reno Gang, the Dalton Gang, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. They were also hired for more mundane tasks such as transporting money and high quality merchandise between cities and towns. As a result, Pinkerton agents were well armed and well paid. 

These agents will be used as a faction in Dead Man's Hand.  Pinkertons get a better than average "nerve" score in the game and their activation cards reflect their ability to relentlessly pursue and get their man.   
You best finish our basing, painter man!
I went for a darker look with the dusters to hint at moral ambiguity. Uniform dusters give them an orderly, professional look, I think. The only downside to this bunch was the flatness of the dusters.  That made them a bit of challenge to bring to life and my subtle triad didn't help.
Below is a picture of the Mr. Pinkerton and two of his agents.  They do look dead serious and well-armed. As good as he is with a gun, I'd advise against asking him to give you a headcount on the Army of Northern Virginia.

34 comments:

  1. Excellent work on the Pinkertons, Monty.

    We shall have to see how well they shape up on the tabletop though; is there an AAR in the offing, by any chance?

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    1. Thanks Evan! There will be blood, and an AAR about it. The only challenge is that with 4 new factions, it might be awhile till I can feature the Pinkertons!

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  2. Moral ambiguity sounds about right. They look great Monty.

    FMB

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    1. Thanks Marcus! The strike-busting was a bit of a black eye for the agency.

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  3. Excellent work. I like 'uniformity' theme.

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  4. Lovely figures and Paint Job. Did my own Pinkertons for Fist Full of Lead they are a great gang concept for any old west game.

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    1. Thanks Adam, and I need to look at Fist Full of Lead!

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  5. The Magnificent Seven! Your rich, reddish brown treatment on the dusters make them appear to be oilskin. "Moral ambiguity?" I like that!

    Outstanding brushwork.

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    1. Thanks Jonathan! Oilskin dusters for hunting in the rain. ;-)

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  6. Don't know much about them, but these 'Pinkertons' are really excellent!

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    1. Thanks Phil! In the nearly lawless west, they were the best law money could buy.

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    1. Thanks Chris! Old West painting really fires the imagination.

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  8. I too like the rich brown you used on the dusters and they do look good as a unit. I have a hard time with dusters and don't know what I'd do if the sweeping folds weren't there in the sculpt.

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    1. Anne, thanks! I hope all is well in your corner of the world. And lol, I didn't know either. I needed that last color jump to be just a bit brighter. ;-)

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    2. The worst thing of all is when the eyes are cast badly. I have no way to overcome that and compensate when I take the pic to hide a wonky eye.

      All is fine here, I've been out of doors in the gardens mainly. Hope to post again soon though!

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    3. Good point, Anne. I've fallen away from painting eyes. For good figs and in small batches, I'd gladly dig back in. But like you say, many models have lids cast, or a poor socket that really makes the eyes look bad.

      Great news on the gardening! It's very therapeutic, as long as the deer don't eat every damned thing you plant.

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  9. Those are an excellent bunch of "Gentlemen". Your take on them really is inspiring.

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  10. These are very cool Monty, very sinister looking indeed. The dusters are excellent.

    Nice bit of history as well!

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    1. Thanks Jonas, and they are a fascinating bit of history!

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  11. Very cool dudes ! Perfect painting!

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    1. Thanks Ray, I hope it's been a good summer of gaming for you and the gang!

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  13. Very nice indeed Monty. The brown on the coats is wonderfully rich and warm.

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  14. Excellent paintjob, Monty.
    And a nice history lesson as well.

    Cheers
    Stefan

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    1. Thanks Stefan! I hope to have a bit more of Old West history up before this run is done.

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  15. Great looking agents in dusters!

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