From collections of the Museum of Ventura County, private collectors and the artist.

From tribal skirmishes to titanic conflagrations, battles have been fought and won or lost by hand-to-hand combatants. These extraordinary warriors of the ages range from highly trained professionals to conscripted landsmen. While most defended their families and land, many others used their prowess to pillage and plunder as marauders or mercenaries. These generic Figures particularly reflect an appreciation for bravery and skills in life-threatening engagements. From the Greek Hoplite, Aztec Leopard Warrior, Roman Legionary, Centurion, through the Norman Knight and Landsknecht depended on sword, spear or bow. With the invention of practical firearms, battles became less hand-to-hand combat. Even the generic Mountain Man, Jedediah Smith and Kit Carson depended more on the gun than the knife when battling American Indians or bear.