Quite a surprise buy (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

It may seem strange to begin a thread under the "painting" header - when my first two pics show no painting at all!

That will change of course, as the thread progresses - but for now, I thought that I would share a nice surprise that came my way.

I had been watching a few e-bay items of interest lately - when I came across a lot of five Britains Native North American Chiefs on galloping horses - which just happens to be my favourite pose. As I already own three, I just "watched" - more to get an idea of what they were going to go for. They were reasonably priced - so I thought they would go.

Imagine my surprise - when I logged in to take a look - to find that they hadn't sold!

Around the end of the day - I was still thinking about them - so decided tob contact the seller - and agreed a bargain price for the 5 Chiefs - and waited for the postman with a deal of pleasure.

After arrival - I was able to inspect my purchase properly - but found that they were the usual mix of old paint - with a few more coats added by the previous owner - but was surprised to find only one tiny breakage on the rifle end of ONE figure. And they were all old figures. Clearly, they had been once owned by a very careful owner - who had looked after them - even though the paintwork was rather thickly applied in places.

So...........into the bath of paint remover they went - and this is what I found - Hmmm............nice!



BUT - even nicer was to be found both under the belly of each horse - and also on the base of each of the 5 - hidden by several coats of paint and grunge.

Take a look.



On each of the five figures, as well as the usual Britains marks - I have a date: 6.2.1908. This means that I have a set of 5 - probably owned by the same person - as they have stuck together since then, and from a mould used by Britains 109 years ago.{eek3} And they are to all intents and purposes intact and requiring no repairs.

WOW!!! What a very nice surprise................... Now that's what I call a very careful owner.jb

 

[theBaron]

Great catch, John! And as we've discussed before, with the paint removed, we see how good Britains castings could be. The simple gloss paints often conceal a sculpt with some details we'd otherwise not expect.

I look forward to seeing your work on these!

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Great catch, John! And as we've discussed before, with the paint removed, we see how good Britains castings could be. The simple gloss paints often conceal a sculpt with some details we'd otherwise not expect.

I look forward to seeing your work on these!

Prost!
Brad

Agreed Brad - a great find indeed. But what really blew me away - was the excellent state of not just one - but all five of figures that are well over 100 years old. I do have a similar one dated the same as these - but the work I had to put in before I got to the painting stage was huge.

I just love this pose - and as you mention - the sculpt underneath is outstanding. Many people knock it - but sometimes ebay really comes up trumps.

Loads of fun for me - and just a few casting holes to fill this time jb

 

[Buster]

Can't wait to see these all painted up, jb ..... I'm willing to bet they look a treat, congrats on your eBay bargain. {bravo}}

B. :salute::

 

[johnnybach]

Can't wait to see these all painted up, jb ..... I'm willing to bet they look a treat, congrats on your eBay bargain. {bravo}}

B. :salute::

Painting begun already, old buddy - just couldn't resist getting started. Thanks for the congrats - my back is still sore - from all the slapping I gave myself on it!!!! Couldn't be more pleased.{sm4}

By the way - I did a re-count on how many of these I already have. I thought I had three - but now realise it WAS 5.......so now it's 10!{eek3}

Here are my others............... jb

 

[Ivanhoe]

On each of the five figures, as well as the usual Britains marks - I have a date: 6.2.1908. This means that I have a set of 5 - probably owned by the same person - as they have stuck together since then, and from a mould used by Britains 109 years ago.{eek3} And they are to all intents and purposes intact and requiring no repairs.

WOW!!! What a very nice surprise................... Now that's what I call a very careful owner.jb

Congratulations jb !

Luck was smiling on you.

I believe after you are finished, in "109 years", another collector will get these and give you a similar compliment !

 

[johnnybach]

Congratulations jb !

Luck was smiling on you.

I believe after you are finished, in "109 years", another collector will get these and give you a similar compliment !

That would be nice - though I hope it isn't anytime soon!

Here's a couple of pics showing progress with these five figures. There's a couple of days between the pics - so I hope you can see how the basic colours are built up as I go along. This is a slow process - as I don't want to handle the finer details too much, whilst the paint is still not hard/dry. I always try to hold just the base (or the tail of the horse) whilst painting. jb

 

[thebritfarmer]

Very nice JB quite the find. Do you base coat areas that are to be painted white with yellow or cream?

 

[johnnybach]

Very nice JB quite the find. Do you base coat areas that are to be painted white with yellow or cream?

I use Cream ( Humbrol Matte 103) as an undercoat to Gloss White, Scott. This gives a nice smooth coverage to the metal - and a good tooth for the white, (which is actually Gloss 41 - Ivory). Not quite so garish as White Gloss, I think. jb

 

[thebritfarmer]

Thanks JB, find just using white difficult to get coverage.

 

[johnnybach]

Thanks JB, find just using white difficult to get coverage.

I have always found white to be a tricky colour to use Scott. If you try using gloss white over bare metal - you will find it very difficult to get a good smooth finish, as it will require many coats to hide the grey metal beneath.

I like to use Matte colours as undercoats - and by experimenting - have found that the undercoats can often enhance the top-coat too.

I now often prefer to use Cream under - and Ivory over - instead, when going for a white colour.

Good luck with your project. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Quick update on progress with this five: some getting near completion. jb

 

[DMNamiot]

Those are wonderful Johnny! Really brought to life with all the amazing colors!


Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Those are wonderful Johnny! Really brought to life with all the amazing colors!


Dave

Hi Dave - glad you like 'em. That's why I like these figures so much too - you aren't confined to any "uniform" and things like - how many buttons on a coat - or how many stripes on the arm etcetera. Once you've seen a few hundred Western movies - you have a fair idea that almost anything goes!!!!

I also love those Indian ponies - typically two coloured ( brown or black - with white) so usually choose to paint those too. This time - I've also included an Apaloosa ( another favourite of mine).

So..........5 of my favourite Native American sculpts from Old Britains - (originally well over 100 years old and bought for a song) - all in good nick - and a few pots of Humbrol Gloss - what more could you want? {sm4}

jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a couple of pics of my five, old Britains hollowcast Native American Chiefs - now completed. Note that even though these are probably well over 100 years old ( Dated from mould made in 1908 and embossed under each base and on the underside of the horse) - they all,almost unbelievably, use the same parts as found. Green Shirt Chief alone, has the end tip of his rifle missing - and even though I knew I could obtain a spare part for that - I decided that he looked okay with it - and as it was part of his history - I kept the arm and rifle as originally found. I did, however, add a knife or two to the belts of some of my Chiefs - and a bullet pouch or two as well - captured from the US Cavalry). Purists may tut-tut, but that's the way I like them.

I think this pose is just timeless - and like it more than any other of my Native Americans - so now that they have had new paint-jobs - hope you will too. jb

 

[Buster]

Exceptionally well done jb, love the colorfulness of the figures and the beautifully detailed paint work ..... I think you have this repair and repainting orphaned old toy soldiers thing pretty well mastered. :wink2:^&grin

{bravo}}

B. :salute::

 

[theBaron]

Beautifully done, John, both your painting and the quality of your repairs or modifications. I like how you take into account the casting's original state when deciding what and whether to fix or change something.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Beautifully done, John, both your painting and the quality of your repairs or modifications. I like how you take into account the casting's original state when deciding what and whether to fix or change something.

Prost!
Brad

It's a funny old thing Brad - but I always think about the who, what and where of the many old figures that come my way. Who owned you before, and who took so much care (or not) of you? Where have you been staying since you were made? Lovingly cared for in a cabinet perhaps? - or stuffed in a cardboard box - or a dusty attic space? What have you experienced along the way? A dusting off and careful life of occasional play? - or a target for a BB gun by a semi-sadist???{eek3}.

As I get older - I have begun to be far more aware that we are just custodians of our collections - and I for one intend mine to "live on" in as good a condition as I can make possible - for future custodians to enjoy - just as I have enjoyed them in my time.

These latest five - have had a lucky long life - so far, and my respect for whoever "owned" them before me - keeping them together - and keeping them remarkably intact, knows no bounds. Okay, the paintwork deteriorated - but the figures themselves ---- Wow!

The previous owner ( I'm almost certain it was just one person), just passed the baton on to me - and hopefully they will go on for............. well.......... as long as they can - now with a new coat of paint to keep 'em safe.

I hope they will stay together - and (eventually) go to a good home. But that's the same wish for all of my collection.............. But hopefully, no time soon.^&grin

Glad you like 'em too Brad - Thanks. jb

 

[HAWKEYE]

Great thread. I am very glad i stumbled on it , it was very entertaining, i just got three tradition castings of napoleonic figures and i want to paint them up to go with my trophy figures and seeing what you have accomplished has got me more excited about my venture, thanks, and they are absolutley gorgous

 

[Malcolm Britain]

Dashed fine work JB. The sculpts are full of energy given added vibrancy by your colourful interpretation. How I would have loved these aged 10...and 20, 30 etc come to that!. A great find and now "preserved".

I recently read Opie's book on collecting toy soldiers (when I say read I mean gorged on the plates) but I don't recall seeing these in there. I didn't realise, probably because I am not a great student of ancient
Britains, that they did such realistic looking sculpts. Eyes opened! Thank you for doing so.

M