Grenadier Miniatures

Grenadier Models often known simply as "Grenadier", was a pioneering miniatures company formed in 1975 by artists/sculptors Andrew Chernak and Ray Rubin that created series of lead miniature figures also known as "Minis", for wargames and fantasy role-playing games.

Grenadier Models first evolved from a short lived sculpting business formed by Chernak and Rubin - Canterbury Pewter (aka CP Ltd) in 1972. Their discovery of the new game Dungeons & Dragons in 1973/4 changed the direction of the company, and from this was born a miniature manufacturing production base that was to last 20 years.

The first figure line produced was American Revolution 25mm stock, released in 1975 to coincide with the US Bi-Centennial. During their 20 years of operation, Grenadier produced many lines of historical, fantasy, and science fiction miniatures for such role-playing games as Dungeons & Dragons, Call of Cthulhu, Gamma World, Boot Hill, Star Wars, Middle-earth, Traveller, DC Heroes, Twilight 2000, Champions, and Shadowrun, as well as published games like Journey, Seawolf, Fantasy Warriors, Kill Zone, and Dragon Lords.

1984 was a pivotal year for the US company. It tried its hand at producing role-playing game modules by releasing four different adventure scenarios. 'The Horrible Secret Of Monhegan Island' (for Call of Cthulhu), 'Cloudland' (for AD&D), 'Raid on Rajallapor' (For Blades 'Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes')and 'Disappearance On Aramat' (for GDW Traveller).The same year saw the formation of Grenadier UK by Chernak's brother-in-law Bob Watts. This was a direct move to combat both export costs of miniatures from the US to the UK, and the growing popularity of Citadel Miniatures (later Games Workshop).

Grenadier employed such sculptors as John Dennett, Julie Guthrie, William Watt, Nick Lund, Mark Copplestone, and Sandra Garrity. At a GenCon in August 1996, "persons unknown" announced that Grenadier had folded and that Stratelibri (Grenadier's Italian distributor) had purchased their molds and masters.

Since then, many companies have recycled and recast Grenadier's miniatures, particularly those produced in the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. Licencing has been transferred to such an extent that it is now difficult to know who owns what.

"The Fantastic Worlds Of Grenadier" gives insight into the company and its products, including the most comprehensive product listings available. It has been described as taking the reader on 'a nostalgic trip through the formative years of role-playing and table-top miniature gaming' and an 'educational and essential read for all fans of miniatures and role-playing games'.

Further reading

"The Fantastic Worlds Of Grenadier" by Terence Gunn (copyright 2003) is out of print, but can be purchased in PDF format on CD by contacting Terence Gunn directly at [e-mail].