Can I get some help identifying these two figures (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Davey
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Hollowcast
DMNamiot
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Does the visor on the mounted figure move up and down? If it does it could be from and English company called Sacul from the 1950s-1960s they were chrome coated and used real feathers. But that’s all I know about them. Maybe Brad can narrow it down with one of his references.
Dave
Dave
theBaron
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Thanks for that suggestion, Dave! I think you're right. In his "Collecting Foreign-Made Toy Soldiers", Richard O'Brien has a photo of three knights, one mounted and two on foot, identified as Sacul, in the chapter, "Miscellaneous English Metal", page 233. The caption notes, "Chrome coated with real feather plumes and moveable visors."
It's worth noting that Timpo also used real feathers for plumes on some of its knights.
As for the ancient warrior, who looks like he depicts an ancient Gaul or Celt, my first thought is Mignot. He is sculpted and painted in a style similar to Mignot's ancients. His round shield is similar to the shields on Mignot's 6th century Franks. But if he's hollow-cast, that rules out Mignot, whose figures are solid. Are you sure he's hollow?
Prost!
Brad
DMNamiot
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Hi Brad
I see the resemblance with the Mignot but am not totally sure either but will look at my references for gem and see if I can find an ancient Celt that looks like him. I am wondering if the sword is a replacement since it seems too bulky for this figure. What do you think?
Dave
I see the resemblance with the Mignot but am not totally sure either but will look at my references for gem and see if I can find an ancient Celt that looks like him. I am wondering if the sword is a replacement since it seems too bulky for this figure. What do you think?
Dave
johnnybach
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I've been thinking that there seem to be a few modifications to these figures Dave. Whatever they were originally, they could well have been altered at some time. I agree that the sword on the foot figure looks way too big for the figure carrying it. The mounted figure too doesn't seem quite right. That over-grasp on the lance doesn't look right. Also, the rein guard, for example, looks like it has been added on. The paintwork looks pretty naff too.
A good way to find out - would be to remove all of the paint - when glue and possibly pins for added parts would show up.
By contrast - the horse looks well modelled - the tail is particularly good.
I'm not sure it's a Sacul - as it doesn't have any brightwork.
I'm not helping much! jb
DMNamiot
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Oh Johnny you slay me I think your 2 cents worth is always a help! I believe the knight was reworked as well because the paint is too new looking for a guy from the 1950s the odd over hand lance hold is another clue too. But still I enjoy digging out the truth on these older figures and love helping folks figure out what they have. Anyway I still believe the mounted guy started as a Sacul figure but information in that company is scarce at best.
Dave
Dave
theBaron
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I agree that the knight looks like he's been reworked or otherwise modified, though I still think the basic piece is Sacul. It looks similar to the one pictured in O'Brien's book. Same goes for the ancient. The nose piece on his helmet looks tacked on, too, and the sword may be a replacement. The basic body looks very similar to some of Mignot's, so maybe that was the starting point.
I think these might have been in that box of Timpo knights that Davey describes, because the seller, or someone earlier in the chain of ownership saw the feather plumes and lumped them together.
They're interesting pieces, to be sure!
Prost!
Brad
I think these might have been in that box of Timpo knights that Davey describes, because the seller, or someone earlier in the chain of ownership saw the feather plumes and lumped them together.
They're interesting pieces, to be sure!
Prost!
Brad
Thanks for trying guys , I have a couple more books on order so maybe one day I’ll get to know ! This particular box has been such a good buy as it had a couple of Richard Courtenay mounted knights in there along with a few mignot figures , it’s been fun researching them !