Life Guards - 1837 (2 Viewers)

[johnnybach]

I am aware that I haven'tbeen as active as normal - on the painting front, recently. The reasons are varied - but involve the move form a part-time home in France - to another - far closer to where some rather important members of my familylive - the beautiful Islands of NZ.

However, that doesn't mean that I'm not planning for several new projects to come - far from it. I'm using some of the time on my hands - to purchase some raw materials for projects to come.

A recent success ( or two) on e-bay - has provided me with a rare opportunity, to obtain part of a set that I have long cherished - at the somewhat knock-down price of around a tenner!!^&grin

This is what I bought recently (amongst others) on e-bay:



Hope you can see - some rather playworn Britains Lifeguards - with varied pieces worn or missing from previous action. Just the job - ideal for what I want.

There's a set that I have always rather coveted - Britains set 72 - which contained lifeguards from 1837 and 1897 - the former wearing delightful Romanesque helmets - like this: ( I'm indebted to Vectis Auctions for this example pic - many thanks);



What I hope you can see from these two pics - is what I'm going to attempt to do - once I get back to where my repair project is now - which are currently in the hands of yet another daughter in the UK.

I have already dashed off my "spares" requirement to Giles Brown - at Dorset Soldiers, who has a large stock of spares for such repairs - for sometime around Xmas - which will give me a superb mini-project for the early Winter months. With a head change or two ( or added head for the headless) and a few arms/ weapons etc ( and a good base for each figure), and then a glossy paint-job, they should look pretty good, I think. I also think that I may be able to source the "Prancing Horse" Officer figure too, with a bit of luck!

Anyhoo - thought I would share some of my project thoughts with you - as I've been far too quiet for some time now.

see you later?? jb{sm4}

 

[GICOP]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

I shall follow this thread with great interest jb :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

I shall follow this thread with great interest jb :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

I'm planning to make these a Xmas present........................to me

See you later, buddy - :salute::jb

 

[johnnybach]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

Marvelous thing - the Internet. I've already had a result from Giles at Dorset Soldiers - who just happened to have the "Officer on a Prancing Horse" figure that I needed, to add to the figures I already have. It will require a re-paint apparently - but is otherwise in pretty good condition.

So.... thanks to a couple of e-mails.my cardboard box of spares, including this figure, will be waiting for me "under the Stairs" at Dorset HQ, when I get back.

Whilst they may not actually be technically part of THIS thread - which will concentrate on my Life Guards, I thought that I'd also show you two more "lots" which I won at auction, which are similar - in that they will also need a few repairs/ refurbishment / repaints / conversions etc.,

The first pic shows some Hussars - which I think will eventually become some more 11th Hussars (The Cherry Pickers) - and join my existing Troop. I will have two new trumpeters - and three more hussars at the gallop to sort out. They currently look like this:



My next are a mixed bunch of Britains cavalry - which I'm currently deciding exactly what to do with - though all will also need some repairs first. The nice thing about many of these - is that with a few minor changes - most can become many of Britains former Cavalry products - as with a head change or two, new weapons and arms etc, and paint-job - lots of figures suggest themselves.



I'll probably begin a new thread for each - and as I said earlier - see you later?:salute::jb

 

[nmrocks]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

Looks like a great project JB, you know I'll be watching.
So you "winter" in NZ and then return to the UK to "winter" there as well?
Ray

 

[Buster]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

I shall follow this thread with great interest jb :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

Count me in too jb, it's a pleasure watching you work your magic on knicked-up old treasures.

B. :salute::

 

[johnnybach]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

Looks like a great project JB, you know I'll be watching.
So you "winter" in NZ and then return to the UK to "winter" there as well?
Ray

We will be doing late Winter/Spring and early Summer in UK - then late winter/spring/ early Summer in NZ, Ray. ( just think of them as opposites).

Though as the Bay of Plenty area is sub-tropical - it never gets really cold on the Northern part of North Island. I also get chased around by my two Grandkids when in NZ - so keeps the blood flowing! - We figure we get the best of both hemispheres this way.

We then "swap over" with another of my daughters - who likes it hotter than both of us oldies! We call it the Revolving Door lifestyle! - as both homes are occupied year round. She then gets to see her two nieces and her sister over here. Win-win.

And yes - these battered warriors - should provide hours of pleasure to come. In fact, I'm already getting some fun already, working out just what I'll need from the pics the e-bay vendor provided - and corresponding via e-mail with Giles at Dorset Soldiers - to order all of the bits required.

I'll show you how I progress later.

First time I've ever ordered parts from 11,000 miles away! see ya budddy! jb

 

[johnnybach]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

I found this gorgeous pic of the complete set "Britains 72 - Life Guards Past and Present" which was made circa 1902 - and now sells for big bucks, so posted it for those who have never seen it. I found it online - and think it may have originally been posted by one of the Auction Houses - but don't know for sure which one. Thanks to whoever produced it originally anyway, it's a beauty - and shows that the set contains One Officer on a Prancing Horse - with five troopers - for each of the periods depicted (1837 and 1897).

Now I know that I have at least ONE Officer - and SIX Troopers already. My original intention was to make up JUST the 1837 contingent - BUT I now have an extra Trooper (already with the 1897 helmet)!!!!!

Hmmmmmmmmmmm???

Methinks with a bit more searching - and a bit of luck - I may be able to make up the complete set from restored figures (eventually). Shouldn't be too greedy - but...............why not?:confused. I'll keep a lookout for some more.

Isn't this a gorgeous set - or what??

 

[Martin Tabony]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

Life Guards !

Martin

 

[nmrocks]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

Marvelous thing - the Internet. I've already had a result from Giles at Dorset Soldiers - who just happened to have the "Officer on a Prancing Horse" figure that I needed, to add to the figures I already have. It will require a re-paint apparently - but is otherwise in pretty good condition.

So.... thanks to a couple of e-mails.my cardboard box of spares, including this figure, will be waiting for me "under the Stairs" at Dorset HQ, when I get back.

Whilst they may not actually be technically part of THIS thread - which will concentrate on my Life Guards, I thought that I'd also show you two more "lots" which I won at auction, which are similar - in that they will also need a few repairs/ refurbishment / repaints / conversions etc.,

The first pic shows some Hussars - which I think will eventually become some more 11th Hussars (The Cherry Pickers) - and join my existing Troop. I will have two new trumpeters - and three more hussars at the gallop to sort out. They currently look like this:



My next are a mixed bunch of Britains cavalry - which I'm currently deciding exactly what to do with - though all will also need some repairs first. The nice thing about many of these - is that with a few minor changes - most can become many of Britains former Cavalry products - as with a head change or two, new weapons and arms etc, and paint-job - lots of figures suggest themselves.



I'll probably begin a new thread for each - and as I said earlier - see you later?:salute::jb

Ok Jb, it looks like these broken not Lead rot?
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

Ok Jb, it looks like these broken not Lead rot?
Ray

From the pics, Ray, - all that I can see is old paint-loss - and the usual breakages. Lead rot is very different - and not seen any evidence of that in all of these lots - in fact - very rare to find that, these days. Can be sometimes cut away and fixed - even if you do.

I will strip all of them back to castings again - then will be able to see more exactly what's required for each piece.

Horse legs and tails are normally pretty easy to fix. Just clean back the leg-joint with file - drill into stump - cut new leg to fit and drill into that - then join both parts with a pin which is usually a cut thick steel paper-clip, using epoxy resin glue. This is known as "pinning. Same technique is used to fix legs to a base.

I usually make up my own bases from offcuts of metal alloy sheet that I buy from a local Engineering company, that fabricate parts for specialist vehicles. My last offcuts came from a Sports Car they were fixing up. Position the horse and mark where the hoof meets base. Then drill through base - up into hooves - pin and glue as before, wiping away surplus before it sets. Wait until dry - then file underside flat, where required. Result - a much more solid piece, which will be more resistant to breakages in future.

Heads/arms/weapons etc, are straightforward additions too - using either the same technique for heads - or maybe just push-ons for arms. Giles Brown at Dorset Soldiers does a lot of lookalike parts that will fix up many of the old Hollowcast makes and models - at prices that won't break the Bank. I've sent him my pics and a listing of what I want to do with them - so if I miss anything - he can usuall spot it. He is also very used to repairing too, as you might imagine. Some older pieces can be well worth repairing nowadays, as some are getting trickier to find as perfect - so well worth fixing up - as even when repaired, they can attract very reasonable prices from Customers with "wants lists"

Scraping down and filing - then filling any holes exposed is just a matter of taking care and experience. I use Milliput as a gap and hole filler - which can then be filed or sanded - to lose joints.

The final paint job can really be done in any medium - though I always prefer gloss paint. (Just as these were originally). If the repairs were extensive - I use a grey primer to cover - which will expose any flaws. Otherwise, an undercoat and various applications of paint come next - to be given a final coat of gloss varnish. By taking more care with the paint than the original piece-work paid painters - amateur hobbyists like me, can often get a better finish than the figures had originally - and as these mounted figures will finally have a solid base to stand on - will be far more resistant to knocks in future. In fact, usually Good as - if not Better than New.

But you'll see - when I get cracking on these - around December time.

Cheers Ray - jb

 

[johnnybach]

Re: Lifeguards - 1837

Life Guards !

Martin

Sorry Martin:redface2:

- I knew it as soon as I'd pressed the enter button - so too late to change it, so have been expecting a visit. I've referred in text as Life Guards in many places though.

P.S. I've heard that many CAN swim, though spelling can also be a problem for a few - just like me, occasionally. :salute::

Best - jb

 

[Peter Reuss]

Fixed!

 

[johnnybach]

Fixed!

Thanks Peter - now Martin will be able to rest!!! :salute::jb

 

[Martin Tabony]

Thanks Peter and Johnny. I'm not picky about much, but when I am...

Martin

 

[BHogan]

Nice additions! I'm looking forward to seeing them brought back to life with some elbow grease and a lick of paint!
Cheers,
Brendan

 

[johnnybach]

Thanks Peter and Johnny. I'm not picky about much, but when I am...

Martin

You know our motto?

"Certa Cito" ...............................Swift and sure!{sm4}:salute:: jb

I'll try and remember - next time. One word = BAD...............Two words = GOOD.

 

[johnnybach]

Nice additions! I'm looking forward to seeing them brought back to life with some elbow grease and a lick of paint!
Cheers,
Brendan

Me too buddy. I,ve just heard that I may be able to pick up some more Life Guard pieces, which have been put aside for me. Apparently one is complete - and the other is another broken figure - so another two "in the bag" - leaving two to go - and then, I may be able to own a version of Set 72.

I saw one offered on an auction site recently - and the suggested price was between $2,500-$3,500 US.

Mine, though not strictly authentic, will be made up from Britains components ( with a few modern replacement parts) - and will cost considerably less than that - and just maybe - might look a tad better.

A really nice project to look forward to. Hope you will enjoy looking in on me, from time to time - later on this year. jb

 

[Go for Broke]

Go Johnny, Go.

 

[johnnybach]

Go Johnny, Go.

After a build up like that - they'd "better be good"jb