Martial Metals was a company that produced miniature figures in the 1970s and 1980s for science-fiction tabletop games.
Company history
Martian Metals was founded in 1976 by Forest Brown to provide metal miniatures to the burgeoning fantasy role-playing game industry. Miniatures produced by the company had a distinctive six-sided base designed to fit the standard hex grid map used in many miniatures games. The company became the licensed supplier of miniatures for games such as Ogre/G.E.V., Traveller, and RuneQuest. Martian Metals rapidly became one of the premier miniatures companies in the RPG industry, winning several awards.
A major fire in the mid-1980s destroyed everything in the company shop, forcing Martian Metals out of business. As Matt Irsik recalled, "this was one of the up and coming companies in sci-fi wargaming. At the time they were just getting going." Brown would later start up another miniatures company, Deimos Design Studio, that was active until his death in 2010.
Miniatures lines
OGRE/G.E.V. Miniatures for the Steve Jackson Games board games Ogre and G.E.V.. In Issue 29 of The Space Gamer, Nevin J. Templin commented that "My sample [of Ogre] needed a minute with a file prior to assembly. The G.E.V. is sharp and crisp, and requires a bit of assembly. The Heavy Tank is an impressive vehicle, nicely cast. The only other vehicle available is the Missile Tank, another sharply detailed casting."
Runequest
A 1982 line of 25mm bubble-packed sets of denizens of Glorantha for the fantasy role-playing game RuneQuest. In Issue 57 of The Space Gamer, John Rankin commented that "Overall, the Runequest line is a very imaginative and well done offering. Considering how long Runequest players have waited for these figures, the line should enjoy considerable success."
Traveller
Martian Metals produced many licensed lines for the Traveller.
Aslan
Twelve 15mm miniatures. William A. Barton commented that "The figures are nicely detailed, as usual with MM figures, and relatively free of flaws or flash."
Beast of Burden
A 15mm figure of a quadruped beast and rider. William A. Barton commented that "Overall, Beast of Burden will probably prove of more use in your Traveller miniature animal encounters than those figures in the earlier Aliens pack. I'd recommend adding at least one or two to your collection."
Citizens
A pack of twelve 15mm miniatures. William A. Barton commented that "If you're a completest, you may even wish to pick up a set (no more than one) each of Citizens and Patrons."
Droyne
A pack of twelve 15mm miniatures. William A. Barton commented that "The figures are nicely detailed, as usual with MM figures, and relatively free of flaws or flash."
Imperial Striker Force
A pack of twelve 15mm miniatures for Travellerfeaturing figures in various poses with a variety of small arms, plus a miniature of the map box featured on the cover of the Striker miniature rules. William A. Barton commented that "Overall, the 15mm miniature enthusiast will probably find [this set] of use, as will Traveller players and refs who use the miniatures in their role-playing campaigns."
K'kree
A pack of three 15mm miniatures. William A. Barton commented that "The figures are nicely detailed, as usual with MM figures, and relatively free of flaws or flash."
K'kree Military in Cloth Armor
A pack of three 15mm miniatures for Traveller. The set features K'kree warriors wearing cloth armor and carrying centaur-sized weapons. William A. Barton commented that "For those who have an interest in them, these K'kree figures will be well received."
Mercenaries
A pack of twelve 15mm miniatures for Traveller. William A. Barton commented that "If you're into 15mm miniature use in your Traveller scenarios, you'll probably want to pick up a set or two of Mercenaries."
Miniatures for Traveller
A line of 15mm miniatures first released in 1980, most of which contained twelve figures per set. Forrest Johnson commented that "All in all, a B plus effort. Recommended to Traveller fans and SF miniatures gamers in general."
Patrons
A pack of twelve 15mm miniatures. William A. Barton commented that "If you're a completest, you may even wish to pick up a set (no more than one) each of Citizens and Patrons."
