Britains Durbar Question (1 Viewer)

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

As you know, I have an evolving interest in figures/sets that relate to the 1903 Delhi Durbar. My knowledge of the sets produced by W. Britains is not only a little rusty, it is extremely rusty.

I have located and purchased a new, in the box set of Gaekwar of Baroda's Silver Gun for a very reasonable price. It is being shipped to me and I should have it within the next few days.

Now, here are my questions:

1. I know that Britains produced two sets of Gaekwar of Borada's guns. They are:

Gaekwar of Baroda's Silver Gun
Gaekwar of Baroda's Gold Gun

I also know that two sets of escorts were produced: Set #1 and Set #2.

Further, it is my understanding that Britains produced a gun crew set consisting of three crew members and a mounted officer.

Does a complete display of Gaekwar of Baroda's guns include a total of six sets? The sets in question are: The Gold Gun, the Silver Gun, Escort Sets #1 and #2, and two sets of gun crews?

2. Are there separate sets of gun crews for the Gold Gun and the Silver Gun?

3. Which Escort set goes with which gun?

4. And,...finally, what are reasonable prices to pay for each of these sets? I would prefer to purchase new, in the box sets.

Any information that can be supplied that will help me answer these questions will be greatly appreciated!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Pat,

Glad to see you found one of the guns they are very nice looking I like the gold one the best because of the drapery on the bullocks.

The question of price you asked has always been an interesting one to me. I will tell you that I have always only bid on the sets that are new in the box and have a really good starting price. I usually try and stretch my funds by going for 1/2 or less of retail. I recall getting these sets for about 30 bucks each. Sometimes you get out bid but usually I find there are very few bidders on most of the Durbar sets, my guess is that most people are in to the ACW or WWII eras and aren't as interested in the British Colonial sets.(just a guess here not backed by imperical data)

As for the number you need the 1999 catalog states you need two of each set for a complete gun crew, it further states you will need two of the addon sets which is the dismounted officer and gunners so you should have a display that look like the following. You get the driver with the gun. 2mounted officers, 2 dismounted officers and 7 gunners.

Set numbers are:

2 each 00142 Mounted Officer and gun crew.
1 each 00141 Silver gun
2 each 00267 Dismounted Gunners
1 each 00266 Gold Gun

These should be the Britains numbers for you to look for but I'm not 100% sure on the Gold gun makers number. Its in storage and I didnt want to dig thru the box to find it.

Hope this is helpful

Dave

 

[wadepat]

Dave,

You are a wealth of good information! Yes, the information is very helpful to me. Now, I know what it will take to complete a display of the guns. Unfortunately, I must acquire all the appropriate sets in order to create the display. It looks like I have my work cut out for me!

I especially appreciate your sharing your purchasing experience with me. I assume that the $30.00 range you mentioned is for the smaller sets of figures. From what I have seen, I think I will be exceedingly fortunate to find the gun sets for that amount. That is not to say, however, that I will not keep my eyes open for such deals!

I'll let you know when the Silver Gun arrives at my doorstep. I am anxious to see how well it might go with my Beau Geste Durbar sets.

Again, thanks for all you help!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Pat,

Always glad to answer questions on an area I know a bit about.

I have been trying to gather information on the exact production run from the folks at Britains and have had some success. When I get the entire run cataloged I'll send you a copy.

I am also very curious to see how the Britains looks next to the Beau Gestes sets you have. Please take a photo if you can and post it or barring that please post a detailed run down of how they look to you. I really want to add some Beau Geste sets in the next year or two and need an idea of how the fit together as I have never seen them together. One thing I noticed about the Marlborough sets is they are marching at a different step then the Britains. What I mean is the Britains lead off with their left foot and the Marlborough lead with their right.

Funny the things you notice when you can see the sets side by side.

Have a good day

Dave

 

[wadepat]

Hi Pat,

Always glad to answer questions on an area I know a bit about.

I have been trying to gather information on the exact production run from the folks at Britains and have had some success. When I get the entire run cataloged I'll send you a copy.

I am also very curious to see how the Britains looks next to the Beau Gestes sets you have. Please take a photo if you can and post it or barring that please post a detailed run down of how they look to you. I really want to add some Beau Geste sets in the next year or two and need an idea of how the fit together as I have never seen them together. One thing I noticed about the Marlborough sets is they are marching at a different step then the Britains. What I mean is the Britains lead off with their left foot and the Marlborough lead with their right.

Funny the things you notice when you can see the sets side by side.

Have a good day

Dave

Dave,

I am very interested in receiving a copy of the production run! I'll look forward to a copy when your work is complete.

You know, I had not yet noticed that the Marlborogh figures lead with their right foot. I only have one set of them, the 15th Ludhiana Sikhs, and they are still in the box. I want to get them out and compare them with the Beau Geste figures, but I have not yet done so. When the Silver Gun arrives, I will try to compare both the Britains and the Marlborough with the Beau Geste. At the very least, I will provide a written description of my impressions.

Again, thanks for all your help!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Pat

I'm glad to help and too have someone to discuss this series with seems like everyone is only about WWII, which is fine but I do enjoy discussing other topics too.

I will email you with the completed catalog when I finish adding all the photos and information to it. Anyway here is a 90% solution for the sets needed to complete the Britains Durbar Line:

(1) = Number of sets required to have the proper display

1997:

08848 The Delhi Durbar, Imperial Elephant Durbar Procession (1)

1998:

8951: * 38th Central India Horse
8952: * 5th Bombay Cavalry
8953: * 9th Bengal Lancer (Hodsons Horse)
8954: * 57th Wilde’s Rifles
8955: * No 1 Kohat Mountain Battery Punjab Frontier Force
8956: Duke and Duchess of Connaught on State Elephant (1)
8957: Ceremonial Guard for the State Elephants (2)

* = Indian Army Series that may also be displayed with the Durbar

1999:

00132: Mace Bearers (1)
00133: 14th Ludhiana Sikhs (1)
00134: * 125th Napier Rifles
00135: * Queens Own Corps of Guides (mtd officer)
00136: Delhi Durbar Amphitheater Dias (1)
00082: 27th Light Cavalry Madras (1)
00083: Imperial Cadet Corps (1)
00138: 17th Purbiah Pipe Major and Piper (1)
00139: 17th Purbiah Drum Major and Piper (1)
00140: 17th Purbiah Drummer and Piper (1)
00141: Gaekwar of Baroda’s Silver Gun (1)
00142: Mounted Officer and Gun Crew (2)

2000:

00264: Lord and Lady Curzon (1)
00265: ?
00266: Gaekwar of Baroda’s Gold Gun (1)
00267: Baroda Artillery dismounted officer and crew(2)
00268: 17th Purbiahs Base Drummer and Piper (1)
00269: 17th Purbiahs Cymbal Player and Piper (1)
00270: 17th Purbiahs Tenor Drummer and Piper (1)

2001:

40178: Officer of the Viceroy’s Body Guard (1)
40179: Silver Trident Banner of Jaipur (1)
40180: Viceroy’s Body Guard (1)
40181: 3rd Hyderabad Contingent Infantry (1)
40182: 24th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan Infantry (1)
40183: 12th Bengal Infantry Pioneers (1)
40184: The Maharajah of Bikahir’s State Elephant (1)
40185: The Bikahir Camel Corps (1)
40186: The State Elephant of the Nizam of Hyderbad (1)
40187: The Hunting Cheetahs of the Nizam of Hyderabad (1)

2002

40164: The Royal Herald (1)
40165: Indian Army Trumpeters (1)
40166: British Army Trumpeters (1)
40167: The Maharajah of Patiala and Escort (1)

2003:

40399: The Maharao of Cutch’s State Mace Bearer (1)

2004: (End of the line)

41100: The Jaipur Camel Drummer (1)


Like I mentioned before this is not totally complete yet, I need to finish adding in the Indian Army Line that was done in conjunction with this series and slightly earlier in the 90's such as the 45th Rattrays Sikhs and at least 7 other sets I still need to run down.

Talk to you later

Dave

 

[Peter Reuss]

Dave - I just looked at an old 2000 catalogue, and I didn't see any 00265 listed. Are you sure it was part of the series? It's not on the 2000 price list to dealers either.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for digging out that information. I dont have that catalog and sent a question to WBritains on that number and am waiting on their response. It seemed odd they would skip a number for no apparent reason. But as I said this is a work in progress and thats why I had a question mark next to that number. Did you happen to see if there is a figure set with that number in one of their other runs?

Thanks again for the clarification there.

Dave

 

[Peter Reuss]

I looked over the price list and didn't see any 00265 for the year 2000.

Pete

 

[wadepat]

Dave,

You have no idea how helpful your information is to me! The list of Durbar sets produced by Britains (complete with set numbers, year of production, and totals necessary for a complete display) that you have organized answers many, many questions for me. I am very grateful for all your work and effort. And,...I eagerly look forward to your final list.

I have printed the information you provided and I will use it as a guide for identifying and, hopefully, securing more of these wonderful figures/sets. However, my toy soldier budget is getting pretty thin, so for now, I may have to content myself with studying your list!

Thanks so much for the great information! It is very, very helpful! I'll keep you informed of my progress on expanding the Durbar portion of my collection.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[DMNamiot]

HI Pat,

Very happy to help. As you can see I have a lot of information gathered and its been in piles all over the office and in the computer (someday I'll learn how to organize it ) ) So when I get the right questions it keys me to get things straight. So thanks for the good questions.

As for the budget I have to agree with you I am trying to save money right now so I wont be looking for any new sets until after the new year. Unless of course something really good stumbles across my path.

I'll be in touch when I have the rest of the catalog finished.

All the best

Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

Here are a couple of photos of the latest additions to my Durbar set. They are the Marlboroughs Rao of Kutch's Warriors on Stilts and the 4 Dress Trumpeters flanking Major Maxwell The Royal Herald reading the Official Proclamation from Edward the VII.

 

[wadepat]

Hi Guys,

Here are a couple of photos of the latest additions to my Durbar set. They are the Marlboroughs Rao of Kutch's Warriors on Stilts and the 4 Dress Trumpeters flanking Major Maxwell The Royal Herald reading the Official Proclamation from Edward the VII.

Golly, Dave,

Those are beautiful figures. When I see pictures of your Durbar figures, I am always impressed with the size and beauty of your collection. I must admit I have to fight a touch of envy. Yours is a great collection!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Pat,

Thanks for the compliments I really appreciate it. I wish I had some more room to display things I am thinking of getting some sort of small curio so I can display more sets. I really would like to devote some space to the Crimean War especially with the new VC Series. What do you use for displays?

All the best

Dave

 

[kilted vampire]

Thanks for the pics. Those are beautiful! I'm saving my $s for the West Coaster. I will be looking for some of those figures!

 

[wadepat]

Hi Pat,

Thanks for the compliments I really appreciate it. I wish I had some more room to display things I am thinking of getting some sort of small curio so I can display more sets. I really would like to devote some space to the Crimean War especially with the new VC Series. What do you use for displays?

All the best

Dave

Hi Dave,

I sent you an e-mail earlier this evening with the answer to your question. Please let me know if you received my e-mail.

If anyone else is interested in my response, the short answer is that all the figures I have on display are in curio cabinets in a variety of locations within my home.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[hhenry]

Hi Dave,

I sent you an e-mail earlier this evening with the answer to your question. Please let me know if you received my e-mail.

If anyone else is interested in my response, the short answer is that all the figures I have on display are in curio cabinets in a variety of locations within my home.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

Pat, I'm interested in what types of display cabinets are available. Do you have some photos of types or links to where I can see photos?

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Hugh and Pat,

I appreciate the response and the really funny email as well as the wonderful link to those figures you collect They are magnificent!

I have a set of lawyer book cases that I use for a display and I think I am going to check out the Bombay Company's curios that Louis mentioned in one of his posts they sound very nice and are affordable and not to mention durable and not all glass which I dont like for a lot of reasons.

If I haer of any others I will dorp a line to you Hugh.

All the best

Dave

 

[wadepat]

Hi Hugh and Pat,

I appreciate the response and the really funny email as well as the wonderful link to those figures you collect They are magnificent!

I have a set of lawyer book cases that I use for a display and I think I am going to check out the Bombay Company's curios that Louis mentioned in one of his posts they sound very nice and are affordable and not to mention durable and not all glass which I dont like for a lot of reasons.

If I haer of any others I will dorp a line to you Hugh.

All the best

Dave

Dave,

You are very welcome for the link. Yes, the figures are truly magnificent. You should see them in real life!

Now about my e-mail. You realize, of course, that my message was a totally true and accurate account of my attempts to communicate with you through cyberspace ether. It was never intended to be funny!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Pat,

It always great to hear about another person like me who from time to time has the computer doing its impression of a paper weight.

I can also relate because my parents reside in a place refered to as radio h---. Where all mannor of communications from smoke signals to email seem to vanish as if they entered the twilight zone. Their dial up is so slow... repeat after me How Slow is it? It soooo slow that I thought my 5 year old was married with kids when it finally opened. Can Time really stand still in these places or am I over reacting here?

I couldnt even look at the Tree Frog Site with budgeting at least an hour just to get the computer warmed up. Kind of felt like Radar yelling into the hand set of the field phone HELLO SPARKY!!!!!!

Of course my kids just love it when dad gets all spun up over what should be a simple thing like sending an email, I guess its good to be entertaining for your children right?

They also think its really funny when dad starts to mumble incoeherently about cyberspace and cell phones, so to say I can relate would be an understatement.

All the best

Dave