Assorted Chinese Laundry Workers and Soiled Doves

Every Wild West game needs civilians. People to trade with, interact with, defend, manipulate or just get in the way at the most inappropriate moment. I have been building up my collection of 28mm scale Wild West civilians and I'm reviewing two particular types today - Chinese laundry workers and "soiled doves".

The three figures to the left of this photo and the one below are from the Brigade Games American West range - set BG-AWE006 Chinese Laundry, which retails for $10.00 for all three figures. I ordered these and the Brothel set below at the same time as I ordered my Wild Bunch outlaws, which I reviewed last time. At the far left is the aged owner of the laundry. Most likely he is exactly what he appears to be - an unassuming old man. But perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye. He could be a martial arts master or the leader of a gang of Tong assassins. Next in line is a young worker carrying two buckets of water for the laundry. He is using a wooden yoke to help carry them. Third line is a worker with a batch of freshly cleaned clothes.

The guy at the far right is produced by Wargames Foundry and is the Chinaman from their Old West set OW11/2 Out on the Town, which retails at £12.00 for six figures. He is only available for sale as part of the set. He carries a large bag across his back, which could contain clothes ready for delivery to either the laundry or their owners.

The three figures to the left of this photo and the one below are from the Brigade Games American West range - set BG-AWE003 The Brothel, which retails for $10.00 for all three figures. At the far left is the madame, the brothel owner. She oversees her "stable" of soiled doves and makes sure her establishment runs smoothly. Soiled dove is an archaic term for a prostitute. The woman standing next to the madame is dressed alluringly as she waits to attract a client, Third in line, this soiled dove has stripped down to her underwear, corset and pantaloons, whilst keeping her boots on.

The young lady at the far right is produced by Hasslefree Miniatures for their Fantasy Villagers range and she is HFV003 Strumpet. She sells for £3.50. Although designed for a fantasy setting, she fits in very well in a more modern setting, but especially so in the Wild West as a sexy Mexican señorita. She is expertly sculpted by Kevin White and yes, her flimsy top is see-through. Out of the four soiled doves I've shown here, she is definitely the one I'd go for.
All are useful figures even if they won't see much action.