31077 Artilleryman question (1 Viewer)

[Partner]

The Britain's catalogue says this figure can be used as either Union or Confederate . He looks like a Reb to me .

Has anyone used this figure with Union Artillery ?

Any thoughts on how it fits would be appreciated before I acquire it

Many thanks
Kirk

 

[Fubar]

I'd say he looks like a Rebel . It could go either way,he COULD be a Yankee in the West but the Russet leathers point me to a Confederate conclusion.
fUbAr

 

[mestell]

hi Kirk . . . . I am using the figure as a Union artillery man. I have repainted the beehive hat to a very dark gray with blackened highlights. Also, the Union army did issue gray shirts similar to the one this fellow is wearing. When I was a reenactor in Company K, 2nd WI (Iron Brgade), many of our group (including myself) wore a similar shirt. I am thinking about getting another one of these figures and repainting his trousers a butternut color and use him as a Reb. However, the Confederates often reused captured Yank uniform trousers so repainting wouldn't necessarily be needed. Also, Union "Gunner's Pouches and Belts" were commonly made of russet leather as was the leather Haversack that was used to carry the artillery rounds from the limber to the gun. All-in-all, this figure is generic enough that he could be used on either side.
Mike

 

[AIDMAN]

Hi Kirk...I too have this figure and although Britains states quite correctly that this is a universal figure to me he just screams Confederate!!!,
Maybe I will indeed repaint the pants in Butternut or Grey, but captured Union pants are also OK!!.

Steve

 

[Fubar]

Mike you are right. He just LOOKs like he'll fit with a Reb Battery right out of the package. I have 8 sections of guns each Union and Confederate , and this figure just does not fit in with the Union Battery as is.Much more at Home with the Rebel's. My 2 bits anyway.
Repainting Britain's Confederates for more variety is a lot of fun by the way.

FUBar

 

[Partner]

Thanks Fubar , Mike and Steve , I appreciate the comments ,
I think I will hold off on this guy and go for a definite Union piece

Best regards

Kirk

 

[Scott]

What's kind of interesting is that one side of his "braces" is over his canteen strap. It could happen when you get busy. I'm leary of the red "long johns" shirt sleeves showing under the issue shirt. The "Union Suit" was patented in 1868.

The pose is top notch and this gunner figure is a useful addition. The hat rather than the forage cap can be seen in period images on Union artillery. The gunner with the red shirt is neat. He's not wearing the US issue shirt nor the yet to be patented "long johns." The artist for this image, Frederick Carada, was at the battle.

 

[Terp152]

I've used this fig in my 6 gun Union battery. Painted the hat black. Looks fine in the mix. Chris

 

[Jefman]

Chris: Your six gun WB Union battery diorama is a masterpiece. So now the next question is when are you going to assemble,photograph and upload a four gun WB Confederate battery?

 

[AIDMAN]

What's kind of interesting is that one side of his "braces" is over his canteen strap. It could happen when you get busy. I'm leary of the red "long johns" shirt sleeves showing under the issue shirt. The "Union Suit" was patented in 1868.

The pose is top notch and this gunner figure is a useful addition. The hat rather than the forage cap can be seen in period images on Union artillery. The gunner with the red shirt is neat. He's not wearing the US issue shirt nor the yet to be patented "long johns." The artist for this image, Frederick Carada, was at the battle.

View attachment 79224

Hi...I believe the Canteen strap under the braces is intentional..To stop it flopping around in action!! Done a bit of Living History in my time, WWII..and after a while you learn to carry your gear in the way it really was carried...I think this is just another example of Ken Osens acute
eye for detail/realism!!...Just my two bits.

Steve

 

[Partner]

I've used this fig in my 6 gun Union battery. Painted the hat black. Looks fine in the mix. Chris

Checked out your album , he does look good . You have a great display . What paint did you use to paint the hat black
Also interesting comments about the position of his braces by Scott and AIDMAN.
I am liking this guy more .

Regards
Kirk

 

[mestell]

Checked out your album , he does look good . You have a great display . What paint did you use to paint the hat black
Also interesting comments about the position of his braces by Scott and AIDMAN.
I am liking this guy more .

Regards
Kirk

Wow, until Scott pointed this out I never really noticed it and I am usually very observant with this kind of detail :redface2:. As a reenactor I never would have thought to wear my braces over any of my gear including the canteen which you would want to have very handy to easily facilitate taking a drink. I would be interested in Ken Osen's thoughts about why this figure was sculpted as such. Steve might be correct but I know the one piece of equipment I always wanted to have tight against me was my cartridge box and always wore the cartridge box sling UNDER the waist belt to prevent the cartridge box from slapping my "backside". I used Delta acrylic paint I purchased from Michaels to paint the hat. I used flat black mixed with just a touch of white to create a dark charcoal color. I painted the entire hat with this. After the paint had dryed I went back over the hat "dry brushing" it with black to bring the highlights out.
:smile2: Mike

 

[Terp152]

Kirk, thanks for the comments. I used a flat black acrylic paint, Apple Barrel Colors by Plaid, from Walmart, in the crafts dept. Goes well with any medium; metal, plastic, etc.

Jeff, it's tempting to go "South", such as those posted by Mike with his great dio photos posted here. But I'm waiting for my Ken Olsen dio base to setup my ACW cavalry and medical scene next. Plus, Ken has promised more additions to the Union battery! Chris

 

[Scott]

The man might have to disrobe when the canteen detail comes around. :wink2:

I usually kept my canteen "free" but snugged up in strap length to keep it from banging around.