Castings I have painted (1 Viewer)

Just worked out the composition of that band. 14 pipers, 1 bass drum, 5 side drums and 3 tenor drums. And before you ask, Johnny, the bass drum would have been carried slung out to one side the same as the US Cavalry did at that time. Very lopsided, you will definitely have to have a base on that one. Trooper
 
Hi trooper - just did a bit of quick research. Below is very long article - but excerpt is precised below it:

http://www.worldmilitarybands.com/pipers-and-pipe-bands/

1st Canadian Mounted Rifles.

" One of the most fascinating and unusual pipe-bands to be formed during WW1 was the mounted pipe-band of the Canadian Mounted Rifles. Originally formed in Brandon, Manitoba in December 1914. Band members were approached in the spring, by Battalion Officers, to have a try at a mounted band. The pipers and drummers were surprised at the manner in which the horses calmly responded to the skirl of the pipes and rat-tat-tat of the drums. The horses were fresh off the range - and were trained in a matter of weeks. All were trained to respond to knee guidance for direction and keep perfect step whilst the band was playing.
The band was 19 strong when they left Brandon, and remained the only mounted band in Canada. On arrival in France, they were dismounted and converted to infantry. Their jobs included stretcher bearing and working with ration parties. they had many casualties - but were re-organised towards the end of the war - and appeared on Dominion Day ( July 1st 1918) in a parade at Tirques. Their performance was described in the history of the 50th Battalion 'No Man's Land' as follows.
@ The most unusual and thrilling sight of the colourful occasion, was the spectacular march past of the 1st Canadian Mounted Regiment, 8th Infantry Brigade, 3rd division. The regiment was led by the mounted band of 12 pipers and 8 drummers and their beautiful chargers visibly enjoyed their splendid role to the tune of the Regimental march past "Highland Laddie". They were at the time, the World's first completely mounted band - and they made the most of the honour."
 
Hi Dave - thanks for the picture - looks a very nice set that - link worked fine too.

As I love to do castings myself - rather than ready-painted - and Marlborough don't do castings - I think that troopers find looks a bettter project for me to take on.

I've already found one article - just need a couple of Canadians who might know more to join in perhaps (Nova Scotia included - piper mad them!)

Then need to work out a possible donor figure - Fusilier spring to mind - they do a really nice WW1 range of cavalry - then get some instruments - work out how to do it - and we're off!!

BUT - must finish my ordered program first - so gives me lottsa time to think it through - work it all out - then do it. One for later on then. Luverly!

johnnybach
 
Yeomanry miniatures make figures like these and also have pipe and drum arms. Might be worth your while contacting Brian Harrison at yeomanryminiatures@virginmedia.com and telling him what you want. He supplies castings which are compatible with Asset's and would be only too willing to help. Trooper
 
The Indian cavalry regiment with a mounted pipe band was the 17th Cavalry, eight mounted pipers and a kettledrummer all mounted on greys. Have never seen a photograph of the Greys at the Meerut Horse Show 1926. Would assume they were wearing Indian hot weather kit with solar topees, very doubtful any other items of Highland dress would have been worn. Trooper

Hi Trooper

You dont happen to have uniform info etc on the 17th cavalry pipe band do you? As I was intending to do some conversions of Indian cavalry castings I have in my spares box.
Regards John
 
Hi trooper - thanks for the tip about yeomanry miniatures. I will certainly contact when I am ready to have a go at this Canadian band. As I have just found it however, and my time for the next few months is allocated - I think i will use some time having a good look around - and think through exactly what I will need.

At the moment, it looks like my initial band looks SLIGHTLY different to the one you have counted. It looks like there are the same number of drums - so that side looks sorted - but my list- towards the end of the war - has two less pipers. Maybe they didn't survive to play in that parade!

Still - a very interesting project which should be a load of fun to do.

Cheers for now - johnnybach
 
Just worked out the composition of that band. 14 pipers, 1 bass drum, 5 side drums and 3 tenor drums. And before you ask, Johnny, the bass drum would have been carried slung out to one side the same as the US Cavalry did at that time. Very lopsided, you will definitely have to have a base on that one. Trooper

"Mounted Rifles" they're not even cavalry, just a pipe band that got sick of walking!:D:D

Martin
 
Hi trooper. I have given Yeoman (Brian) a shout by e-mail - as you suggested - to enquire whether he might be able to help with castings for those old lazybones pipers who were fed up with walking!^&grin I gave him a brief description and mentioned that you had a photo - so he might be in touch.

many thanks for help with a most unusual potential project, johnnybach:D
 
Johnny, have spoken to Brian and after a long discussion he has decided to produce the band. Estimates it should be ready about June. So there you are, you will have your own personal little band, whose a lucky little Welsh gremlin then? Trooper
 
Well - now that IS a nice surprise! My own personal band. I'm rather touched by that. Thanks to Brian and you trooper. I think my original estimate of the day as being a good one - has turned out to be rather an UNDER- estimate. It's not every day that you have that. I think a second cup of tea may be in order! Wait 'till I tell the Commandante!!

Diolch yn fawr bachen, johnnybach

Thanks very much boys.

P.S. I have been in touch with Brian again - and we have an agreement in place. Who IS a lucky boy then?

ME!%^V
 
Hi Trooper

You dont happen to have uniform info etc on the 17th cavalry pipe band do you? As I was intending to do some conversions of Indian cavalry castings I have in my spares box.
Regards John

Hi John, I've been searching for an illustration of a 17th Cavalry trooper in full dress, but to no avail. Officers, yes. ORs in service dress, yes, but no ORs full dress. Nothing in the regimental history and nothing in any of the current literature. The best I can do is a written description and hope that is of help.

Dark blue kurta with white collar and cuffs, gold buttons, steel shoulderchains.
White breeches, dark blue puttees, black boots , steel spurs.
Dark blue turban wound around white kullah. Wrap around part on right hand side white with dark blue stripes in pairs.
Pale blue cummerbund with white panel on hanging ends, two pairs of dark blue stripes on white panel. Brown waistbelt with gold buckle.
I would assume that the pipebag and ribbons would have been Government tartan (Black Watch), this was standard issue.
If I do find an illustration I will send it to you. Sorry this hasn't been better, but if I can help in any further way just let me know. Trooper
 
I have begun practicing on WW1 figures already! These are the first three "Fusilier" WW1 Band underway. Bases are not quite finished and a little more work requred on fifers bugle. S look out Khaki - here I come. Back in the brown jobs again!

WW101.jpg


Note Martin; Base is not quite "varnished" johnnybach%^V
 
Hi John, I've been searching for an illustration of a 17th Cavalry trooper in full dress, but to no avail. Officers, yes. ORs in service dress, yes, but no ORs full dress. Nothing in the regimental history and nothing in any of the current literature. The best I can do is a written description and hope that is of help.

Dark blue kurta with white collar and cuffs, gold buttons, steel shoulderchains.
White breeches, dark blue puttees, black boots , steel spurs.
Dark blue turban wound around white kullah. Wrap around part on right hand side white with dark blue stripes in pairs.
Pale blue cummerbund with white panel on hanging ends, two pairs of dark blue stripes on white panel. Brown waistbelt with gold buckle.
I would assume that the pipebag and ribbons would have been Government tartan (Black Watch), this was standard issue.
If I do find an illustration I will send it to you. Sorry this hasn't been better, but if I can help in any further way just let me know. Trooper

Hi Trooper

Thanks for the info this has been a great help

Cheers John
 
Okay - settle back - I wanna tell you a story:

This time it's of a new find. Cast your mind back to before Xmas. La Commandante and I were on a trip to Bristol. Shopping - you understand. Well, as it happened , once all the fascination of that had worn off - we chanced upon a covered market. inside were all sorts of stuff - but I was drawn to a stall - wherupon I noticed some Toy Soldiers. Probing a bit deeper I chanced upon two items which looked familiar.

Two knights - in various stages of dis-repair and a bit moth-eaten. Paintwork very poor - bits missing - but still recognisable as "Knights of Agincourt" - the creations of Roy Selwyn Smith - and eventually owned by Britains. But these two - well - re-casts was my guess - but potential there alright.

A quick negotiation left me with the pair - and the stallholder satisfied . He even gave me some broken bits which went with them.

Back at the Ranch - I ran an inventory. Both shields missing. Arm and sword missing. Horse tail missing. No problemo - I know a man with spare bits for Britains. A quick e-mail - and they are on the way.

To cut a long story short. They were stripped, cleaned up, bits stuck or pinned back on (including new parts) - and they were complete.

Now to re-paint. I love the poses - but have never thought that Britains really did them justice with a paint-job. I also had a new book on Heraldry for Xmas so chose two coats of arms to use for the re-paint.

Knight 1 (with the mace) was to be Lord Gilbert de Clare - Lord of Glamorgan (amongst his other titles c.1302 then aged 21)

Knight 2 (with the sword) was to be Sir John de Boscawen - a Cornish Knight, c.1335 - the year of his marriage).

And this is how they came out - with coats of arms drawn from my new book>


PIC_1096.jpg


Anothe view from the other side:

PIC_1097.jpg



And finally charging together - friends again.


PIC_1101.jpg


The coats of arms on their shields are authentic - as are the dates they were around. The caparisons (padded cloth coverings on the horses) are from my imagination - but look as if they could be right.

They far exceeded my expectations - and I just love 'em. Hope you do too. johnnybach.

P.S the backgorund shots in pics 1 & 2 are of Castell Coch - whilst the third pic background is Caerphilly Castle - both in South Wales. Lovely!
 
WOW!! Those are stunning JB and the sculpts have always been a favourite and I don't think have ever been equalled either. The coat of arms on Sir John de Boscawen must have been a nightmare, how did you do that without your eyes going squirly ^&confuse^&grin:p
 
Okay - settle back - I wanna tell you a story:

This time it's of a new find. Cast your mind back to before Xmas. La Commandante and I were on a trip to Bristol. Shopping - you understand. Well, as it happened , once all the fascination of that had worn off - we chanced upon a covered market. inside were all sorts of stuff - but I was drawn to a stall - wherupon I noticed some Toy Soldiers. Probing a bit deeper I chanced upon two items which looked familiar.

Two knights - in various stages of dis-repair and a bit moth-eaten. Paintwork very poor - bits missing - but still recognisable as "Knights of Agincourt" - the creations of Roy Selwyn Smith - and eventually owned by Britains. But these two - well - re-casts was my guess - but potential there alright.

A quick negotiation left me with the pair - and the stallholder satisfied . He even gave me some broken bits which went with them.

Back at the Ranch - I ran an inventory. Both shields missing. Arm and sword missing. Horse tail missing. No problemo - I know a man with spare bits for Britains. A quick e-mail - and they are on the way.

To cut a long story short. They were stripped, cleaned up, bits stuck or pinned back on (including new parts) - and they were complete.

Now to re-paint. I love the poses - but have never thought that Britains really did them justice with a paint-job. I also had a new book on Heraldry for Xmas so chose two coats of arms to use for the re-paint.

Knight 1 (with the mace) was to be Lord Gilbert de Clare - Lord of Glamorgan (amongst his other titles c.1302 then aged 21)

Knight 2 (with the sword) was to be Sir John de Boscawen - a Cornish Knight, c.1335 - the year of his marriage).

And this is how they came out - with coats of arms drawn from my new book>


PIC_1096.jpg


Anothe view from the other side:

PIC_1097.jpg



And finally charging together - friends again.


PIC_1101.jpg


The coats of arms on their shields are authentic - as are the dates they were around. The caparisons (padded cloth coverings on the horses) are from my imagination - but look as if they could be right.

They far exceeded my expectations - and I just love 'em. Hope you do too. johnnybach.

P.S the backgorund shots in pics 1 & 2 are of Castell Coch - whilst the third pic background is Caerphilly Castle - both in South Wales. Lovely!


Johnny, the bases are absolutely superb! :wink2:^&cool^&grin And the figures aren’t too tatty either! :smile2:

:salute:::salute::

Jeff
 
The bases are especially for you Jeff, as I sensed you were dubious about the Mounties! - They took me ages to do - getting the shade just right. The horses and riders by comparison - I just dashed off in a spare hour I had.

Hey Jeff - and this is a first - even La Commandante likes them! Ooo-er!%^&confuse

She wants me to help with the shopping in Bristol again - next time we're over! Does this mean I have a Date?

Oooo-er again!

I wonder if I can remember where that market is again? jb
 
Hi Scott - thanks - I really enjoyed resurrecting these two knights. I think that's what I enjoy most - rescuing things whose original destination looks like the bin!

How did I do it without my eyes going SQUIRLY?

Used a bright light from a magnifying lamp that's held together with rubber bands - and my smallest brush ( and a secret weapon called a fine-line waterproof pen!) - and hoped for the best! I knew what I wanted to do - but wasn't sure how it would go. In other words - just went for it. I have actually surprised myself - as he turned out okay ( well, suits me anyhow).

I do agree with you though - you can't beat CLASS when it comes to sculpture - and these are just fabulously created. I already had this one:

SirWilliamMarshallShield.jpg


I did him as Sir William Marshall, one of our MOST famous knights - so these two have followed in his footsteps - so to speak. So I am now on the lookout for the last two "jousting knights with lances" to complete the five mounted ones originally sculpted by Roy Selwyn Smith.

I will have another practice at photography tomorrow ( better in daylight - as it's night-time here now) and photo all three in front of a Welsh Castle - and post it here. Okay? I will try even harder to get them in focus next time too! Sorry about this - it's all a learning curve for me. Glad you liked them though - johnnybach
 

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