RAFM Miniatures closed up shop.


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I remember having a few Call of Cthulhu miniatures produced by RAFM more than 30 years ago and I may have had a few of their fantasy figures as well. It's been so long, but I associate RAFM with old school miniatures from the 1980s along with Ral Partha. As I can best recall, I favored Ral Partha but that might have been because it was more easily available. After a cursory check, it turns out I have a few Rifts miniatures produced by RAFM. After being in my possession for more than thirty years, I probably need to paint it.
The truth is I haven't seen an RAFM miniature in years. Not counting the few I own. But it's a sad day to see them closing their doors for good after nearly half a century.
 

That's unexpected and uninformative, even with the tariff situation. I hadn't heard anything about them being in financial trouble or getting set to retire, although they've been pretty quiet for a few years now. Usually there'd at least be a mention of their molds and masters being sold or on sale to other companies.
 


I might have a few RAFM minis, but not many. I wonder how this will affect Reaper, whom they distribute.
I don't know the situation in Canada, but Reaper's presence in retail stores has diminished enormously since they started the Bones kickstarters. Some shops don't carry them at all (which used to be unthinkable) and distributors are spotty about keeping them in stock compared to (say) WizKids' licensed D&D stuff. Reaper is getting a lot more of their income off direct sales through the KS these days, so losing a Canadian distributor probably isn't a huge factor.
 

They made a post on Facebook. Quoting it below.

Silver Fox Productions and RAFM Miniatures Closing
With heavy hearts we share the news that Silver Fox Productions and RAFM Miniatures is closing. Having served the gaming and miniature hobby industry for 50 years, we are left with many fond memories and much gratitude to have worked in and contributed to an industry we love for so long.
After taking most of the month of April to empty out our space, the physical location of Silver Fox / RAFM Miniatures has finally been emptied.

We’ve incurred substantial costs in storage and waste containers - fifty years of gaming materials fill a large bin, let us assure you!
To try and recoup these significant closing costs we’ve activated some digital products on our site at rafm.com
These items will be expanded upon to include mostly our 15mm sci-fi items that were digitally produced and possibly some fantasy items as well. These will be available under a 3D printing license for personal use .
Any purchases will help us offset the costs of closing.
Being the largest miniatures producer in Canada gave us the opportunity to work with many great American companies like Ral Partha, FASA, R. Talsorian Games and Reaper Miniatures. We worked hard to bring a wide variety of miniatures and companies to the Canadian market, as well as our produced own Fantasy and Historical lines of miniatures and games.
After pouring our heart and soul into this business for 50 years, with many contributors and partners along the way, we hope that our product lines and proprietary creative works will continue to be available to the market through other sources, those details are still being finalized. Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for your support over the years, it has meant the world to us.
With gratitude,
Jack Van Schaik
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After pouring our heart and soul into this business for 50 years, with many contributors and partners along the way, we hope that our product lines and proprietary creative works will continue to be available to the market through other sources, those details are still being finalized. Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for your support over the years, it has meant the world to us.
That sounds promising, anyway. Reason to be hopeful that someone else will pick up their range. Maybe several someones.

Hey, maybe Abney Park has always wanted to own a minis casting company on the side. :)
 

When I was in middle school my best friend's uncle knew the RAFM guys. We would occasionally get to visit the warehouse and buy miniatures by weight. Wow, that takes me back. Anyway, its a shame they're closing.
 

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