Crescent Stagecoach - A Refurbishment (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

My Crescent Stagecoach has completed another stage in its journey from e-Bay. I have now added the pair of horses that I found at a Car-Boot sale in South West England. In fact - it is not quite the correct Crescent coach for this particular pair of gee-gees, as the draw bar to which they connect is too short. Clearly, there is another Crescent coach and horses for this pair.

However, as I intend to restore it to look a bit different from a standard Crescent coach - it doesn't really matter. The picture below shows the parts that came with the coach - with the old tin-plate draw bar removed (rather bent and a little rusty). At the top is my new draw bar - made from a piece of soft metal which at 8 centimetres long, will allow the horses to be connected.

I think that I will re-paint the whole thing to reflect the colour of a Wells Fargo Stagecoach - which has yellow wheels and undercarriage parts - and a wine-red body. (see next pic down).

So - I'm off and running with another little glossy fun (still having fun) project. Yee-hah! johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Below - see two more pics showing the new draw bar temporarily fitted to the coach - and the two horses now in place - albeit temporarily. I think that I will make up a base plate for the two horses before going further. jb

 

[GICOP]

This is going to be another great set when it's finished jb {bravo}}

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Martyn - I hope so - though I intend to keep the feel of it in the "Toy" category - and not try to make it into a more serious model. I also have in mind at some future point to really try for something like this:

Which should be another fun thing to do. Anybody know of a maker of castings who does Cowboys, Injuns - and maybe some US Cavalry too?^&grin However, one thing at a time - coach and nags first! (incidentally - I think that these are different Crescent horses meant for the old drawbar that I removed - their legs aren't so stretched out as the ones that I have).As I never throw any spare parts away - I'll keep the bar for some possible future use.

 

[johnnybach]

The next two pics show the base made for the horses - and the first two holes drilled for a pin to locate one of the hooves of each horse into the base. I will be painting the horses before pinning and gluing them to the base - as I prefer to base my horses. I have removed all of the mould lines - which were never cleaned up by the original manufacturer (Crescent) - doubtless to keep the price down to as low as possible. I have begun painting the horse furniture and leatherwork. The horses will be painted with darker shdes.

Next pic shows one of the axles removed and the wheels demounted. Both axles are bent causing the wheels to wobble (well played with). I will replace both axles with brand new ones which I will fabricate using new brass rod.

Note also the amount of flash still within each wheel which was never cleaned out and just sprayed green. I will clean each wheel up, sand back and prime - before re-painting them yellow, for my new colour scheme. jb

 

[theBaron]

Hi, John, thanks for the first look at this project! You're off to a good start.

If I may offer a suggestion, I know you're striving for the toy soldier style, but as I looked at the first photos, of the coach in its original finish, it looked from the phots as though there was some outlining of the raised detail, like an application of pin washes on a scale model. I would try to replicate that, if I were doing it, maybe with a very light wash of black or gray or siena, depending on the final colors. Sort of John's (beating retreat's) style, too, I think. Just my observation.

Looking forward to the next installment!

You're also reminding me that I haven't sat myself down at my bench in over a week--time to get crackin'!

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Brad - The original finish is just a plain one-coat colour on metal with no no primer. I think what you are seeing in that first picture is the raised outline of metal - where the paint has been worn away - doubtless by loving little hands over the years. There was no shading. Crescent were not really renowned for detail finishes - more "cheap'n'cheerful" in trying to undercut their major competitor at the tim - Britains.

Yes - I follow what you mean - I'll give some shading a shot. I'm going to go for Humbrol "Wine" (matte 73) - which when varnished gives a nice deep bergundy, as the basic colour. I was then thinking of trying to use a fine yellow lining on those raised lines - but will try out a few options first before doing so. What often sounds good in the mind - doesn't always work out well in practice.

Below - see how things are developing now. All wheels are now off - and the bent axles have been discarded. I have cleaned up the flash from the wheels - and you can see the new brass rod that will become the new axles. I have also cleaned up and straightened out bends in the tin-plate underpart of the coach and given it a coat of primer - this will eventually be painted yellow, as will the wheels. I think you may also be able to make out the pin in one hoof of each horse, so far - and the holes in the base at the back which I have made for them. I will paint the underparts of each horse before monting them on the plate - and pinning anpther leg for each horse. Have to be a bit gentle with this - as the legs are thin - and the metal a bit old.

All going along nicely, so far, however. johnnybach

 

[Leadmen]

Nice work Johnny on your Crescent stagecoach. It will look new when you finish. I have one in my collection with Britain's Indians and cowboys. I enjoy these early pieces and you are doing a fine job bringing the stage back for display. John

 

[johnnybach]

Hi John - every time I pick it up - I'm seven years old again! They are great fun - so glad I'm not alone in enjoying it. Hey - did you buy your Cowboys and Injuns ready-made, or IS there a producer out there who does castings?

Also driver/shotgun guard perhaps? So-long for now pardner!^&grin johnnybach

 

[Mister Dave]

Hi John. This project you are working on is fantastic. Looking forward to seeing it develop.

For rider and driver figures you might look at Andrea's catalogue under the "Golden West" series. They also have some mounted Native American figures you may be able to use.

Thanks for all the WIP photos.

MD

 

[johnnybach]

Hi MD - Many thanks for the leads for possible figures to go with my coach - very much appreciated - I will take a good look at those.

Below see current state of my pair of horses. Full of vigour - and now nice and shiny! Coach and wheels are being primed - and am making new wheel nuts to fix wheels to axles - once paintwork is finished. Will show pics of developments later. jb

 

[johnnybach]

MD - had a look - but not all that impressed. Found some better ones by Irregular Miniatures in the UK - sold as castings - so I can paint myself - sample below:

 

[Mister Dave]

MD - had a look - but not all that impressed. Found some better ones by Irregular Miniatures in the UK - sold as castings - so I can paint myself - sample below:

Glad you found some figures to work with. Can you give us a link to that website by any chance?

Thanks.

MD

 

[johnnybach]

Hi MD - this is the website - have a look at the relevant area " Colonial Plains Wars" - there aren't that many of them - but I like these better AND they are available as castings in 54mm.

I'm thinking that I might be better to try for some Crescent Cowboys from e-bay - - which may match up better with the coach - eventually.

Here's the link anyway, jb



http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/

 

[Mister Dave]

Thanks jb. I'll have a look.

MD

 

[thebritfarmer]

Cowboys !! Stagecoaches, Injins !!! OH MY have you gone stark raving??? Hardly imagine this charging through the grounds of Buckingham Palace wot? ^&grin^&grin^&grin^&grin^&grin Old Vicky would not be amused that is for sure !!!


Another great painting thread JB and fun to watch your progress.

 

[johnnybach]

I just found these two horses in a car-boot sale. Posted 'em - and found out they were Crescent stagecoach nags. GICOP told me there was a stage outa e-bay for a small amount - result - I bought it. And NOW I want some cowboys and injuns.

Progression - I calls it squire. Takes me straight back to Tom Mix and Hoppy in the "flicks" on Saturday mornings does that.

Viccy may say "We are not amused" - but I am.

Told you I was a magpie (didn't I?){eek3}

On one side of my desk I have knights of Agincourt - the other side a Stagecoach - and in my head - about a dozen more ideas.

NEXT!^&grin johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Just a few more pics showing progress to date. The wheels and underparts of the coach have been cleaned off, primed and had two coats of colours applied. Note a small modification to the top of the coach. Small pieces of metal were attached to hold a signfor each side.

Also - a small paper sign was copied for the door panel. This reflects the Wells Fargo "US Mail" signage used by the Company in the Santa Fe area. I just felt these would give some nice touches when finished.

Note that the wheels have now been put back on to brand new axles fabricated from brass rod. Wheel nuts have been made up from some scrap material and glued in place. The wheels still rotate - and no longer wobble on bent axles. These nuts will eventually be painted yellow too.

The paper signs (just placed at the moment) were done by me (under expert supervision of my daughter) using some stock signwriting material for the "Wells Fargo & Company" sign - whilst the door panel sign came from a Wells Fargo history website. These will be glued in place once the vehicle has been finished - and then varnished. johnnybach

 

[thebritfarmer]

Looks awesome JB a couple of Assets Victorian civilians would spice this up a notch too !!

 

[GICOP]

Looks awesome JB a couple of Assets Victorian civilians would spice this up a notch too !!

......or Trophy 7th Cavalry to the rescue as per John Wayne's "Stagecoach" ^&grin

Looking good jb:salute:::salute::

Cheers

Martyn