Dodge City Cowboy Band (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

Howdy Pardners. As I seem to be on a bit of a Cowboy spree lately, I thought that it was high time that I pulled my Dodge City Cowboy Band out of their box - and started painting.

As you may see - they came as castings in a nicely labelled box from some galoots called White Tower Miniatures - somewhere in England-shire, under their label "Legends of the West". Well, pardners, indeed they are - because this was once a real band from Dodge City - and I sure aim to try and do them justice over the next week or two. So settle back pards - and enjoy the ride with Old Johnnybach.



The band comes as a twelve figure set, all carrying a side-arm, of corse - and includes a cowpoke carrying a banner (complete with cow-horns!), a Conducter, who used to punctuate the performance with shots from his six-gun - and ten instrumentalists. I've begun three of them below, which come with arms/instruments seperate - to aid painting - and I'll show you how I get on from time to time pards. jb

 

[GICOP]

Howdy Pardners. As I seem to be on a bit of a Cowboy spree lately, I thought that it was high time that I pulled my Dodge City Cowboy Band out of their box - and started painting.

As you may see - they came as castings in a nicely labelled box from some galoots called White Tower Miniatures - somewhere in England-shire, under their label "Legends of the West". Well, pardners, indeed they are - because this was once a real band from Dodge City - and I sure aim to try and do them justice over the next week or two. So settle back pards - and enjoy the ride with Old Johnnybach.

View attachment 114785

The band comes as a twelve figure set, all carrying a side-arm, of corse - and includes a cowpoke carrying a banner (complete with cow-horns!), a Conducter, who used to punctuate the performance with shots from his six-gun - and ten instrumentalists. I've begun three of them below, which come with arms/instruments seperate - to aid painting - and I'll show you how I get on from time to time pards. jb

View attachment 114786

These are gonna look SUPERB jb

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

These are gonna look SUPERB jb

Cheers

Martyn

Hope so Martyn - they are certainly very clean and well made castings alright - so should paint up nicely. Hardly surprising though, when you see the name of the sculptor etched into the underside of the stand for each figure. It's - A.Stadden.

My thanks go to the Britfarmer for tipping me off where to get them. Should be lottsa fun. jb

 

[DMNamiot]

You must have one of the best collections in France! I really would love to see some more of it because ti seems to know no bounds!

Looking forward to seeing these progress

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Cheers Dave - glad you approve of these. I don't know about "best" - but I'm a bit of a magpie with my collection - which just grows wherever my fancy takes me. I don't really have one area - or time period that I concentrate on, so it's a bit varied - just whatever I see and like next - that I can make up and paint myself, of course. That's about the only criterion for me. Snag is - there's so many!

Back to the current project though - this shows how I'm progressing these figures - generally from the top down - so I can hold the lower parts whilst painting them. Should look nice on my Cowboy shelf when completed. So-long pardner. jb

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[johnnybach]

I should have shown you this picture taken in 1884 from the outsest - but forgot to do it. Hope you will see some likeness at the end 'cos these are the real band cowboys. jb

 

[Leadmen]

Looks like a very interesting painting project Johnny. I never saw castings like a western band before. Neat. Do they make other cowboy and Indian castings? They would be fun to paint. Still have many castings to paint and here I am talking about more castings.{sm2}:wink2: John

 

[johnnybach]

Looks like a very interesting painting project Johnny. I never saw castings like a western band before. Neat. Do they make other cowboy and Indian castings? They would be fun to paint. Still have many castings to paint and here I am talking about more castings.{sm2}:wink2: John

Hi John - Yes - they make quite a few castings of other Cowboys and Injuns - have a look online at the link below, for more. Click on Wild West, when you're in = and you can see plenty of both - at very reasonable prices too. They do a nice line in Western Stars - and I already have "Hoppy" and "The Lone Ranger" too.

http://www.whitetowerminiatures.co.uk/

I know the feeling about having a load of work piling up - and then seeing something which you just have to take a look at!^&grin Then you think - "I'll have that when I finish my next two/three projects" - but before you know it - you've bought some more!!!!{sm2}

These are very nice though - and I have been looking forward to painting them very much. There's quite a bit of information about the band online too - which makes amusing and interesting reading. A real fun project. Strange, that you in the USA can find 'em Made in UK!

All the best - johnnybach{sm3}

 

[Leadmen]

Thanks Johnny for the link. I will bookmark it. John

 

[Buster]

Thanks for the link jb, you're right ...... lots of great cowboys and injuns to choose from and I see they even have your favorite tv star ...... "ohhh Ceeesco". ^&grin

B.

 

[johnnybach]

Thanks for the link jb, you're right ...... lots of great cowboys and injuns to choose from and I see they even have your favorite tv star ...... "ohhh Ceeesco". ^&grin

B.

Si Senor - He is on my list - but only as ONE of my favourites, I theenk. I already have "Hoppy" and "Keemo-Sabbey" - so Tonto is another one on my list. I'll probably get the lot - eventually - but I seem to have an ever-growing pile of castings awaiting me - everywhere I look.

So much to do - so little time! - seems to be my thought for the day - but I must get on - and keeeep painting! Bye, jb

 

[johnnybach]

I'm told that other afficianados like to see updates on how I'm doing with my projects - so I'm posting this one of my band of hombres, so far.


I've started off a few more - and whilst some paint is drying - I took this pic. Doncha just love that banner? Also a few different instruments around than the more normal Military Band ones I usually do - so a bit more of a challenge. Well, how many Guards Bands have you seen with an accordion and a guitar?{sm2} jb

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

I've started off a few more - and whilst some paint is drying - I took this pic. Doncha just love that banner?

Hi,
well I certainly do - once again a pleasure to watch. Very nice figures indeed. In contrast to Military Bands would it not be interesting to grant each cowboy a different shirt colour? Just an idea, they are looking great anyway.
rgds
Wolfgang

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Wolfgang. I could - but this is an actual band that existed in USA back in 1884. There's quite a bit of information about this band on the Internet - and they played wearing a "uniform", to emphasize that they were a band - and not just a group of individuals, playing together. In fact, you'll find that most "bands" choose to wear uniform clothing, whether military or not, to emphasize this "togetherness".

This band is shown in the photo that I posted on a previous page - where you can see this "uniform". Each member carried a six-gun, wore leather chaps (not all quite the same), and a similar shirt (note that whilst I have done them all with shirts in my favourite colour - which is red - I am painting them all slightly differently).

In other words - I'm doing them this way - basically.............. 'cos that's the way I like 'em. johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Latest update on progress shows around 6 nearly completed (base drummer requiring partial asembly) whilst another three have been started off. I do it this way, so not too many arms are floating about - and they get fitted to the correct bodies. Violinist, Conductor's baton ( a drawn six-gun!) and side drummer are the newest figures to get started. They're just about capable of a tune - but light on the percussion section!^&grin jb

 

[GICOP]

Latest update on progress shows around 6 nearly completed (base drummer requiring partial asembly) whilst another three have been started off. I do it this way, so not too many arms are floating about - and they get fitted to the correct bodies. Violinist, Conductor's baton ( a drawn six-gun!) and side drummer are the newest figures to get started. They're just about capable of a tune - but light on the percussion section!^&grin jb

I'm sure the six-gun would add a little base if need be {eek3}

These are looking great jb....but I knew they would :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

I'm sure the six-gun would add a little base if need be {eek3}

These are looking great jb....but I knew they would :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

Actually Martyn, the conductor was known to add in a few shots at key points during certain performances! He was also asked once, what happened to anyone who made a bum note. He replied, that was another reason he conducted with a six-shooter - and carried another spare in his holster! Must have been a real hoot, listening to 'em

Yep, pardner, coming along a treat - mighty purty - lovely to paint - and highly recommended! ^&grin jb

 

[johnnybach]

Today sees a bit more progress made on the band - and I have got my last pair of bandsmen out of the box. These two will be playing French Horn and bugle - so hope to get them started off later this evening - when I've finished my chores.

Well, dog doesn't get walked on her own - and veggies need preparing, before La Commandante battles with the cooker again!{eek3}

 

[GICOP]

Today sees a bit more progress made on the band - and I have got my last pair of bandsmen out of the box. These two will be playing French Horn and bugle - so hope to get them started off later this evening - when I've finished my chores.

Well, dog doesn't get walked on her own - and veggies need preparing, before La Commandante battles with the cooker again!{eek3}

Excellent jb, will they be playing a little "Western Swing" :wink2:

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

Excellent jb, will they be playing a little "Western Swing" :wink2:

Cheers

Martyn

Well shucks, pardner and a howdy-doody - them what has their arms and instruments on will be a-playin' - and don't much matter what they's a-playin' - you shore better applaud. It's a fully armed band!{eek3}