Life Guards - 1837 (1 Viewer)

I completed a couple more figures today - from the later 1897 contingent.epaulettes - rather similar to the Officer's.

I nearly completed a third figure - the Officer - but he failed his final inspection - so his horse has now had a re-painted pair of back legs - and is sulking on top of a radiator!!:D

Maybe tomorrow?

The two completed are here - wearing the "Albert" style helmet. I've included the 1837 Trumpeter figure for comparison. Note that a tunic jacket now falls to below the plates. Britains ( and I) both painted over the jacket - and up to the plates to make up the earlier figure. However, I did do some filing of the tunic base - and milliput work to better disguise the joint between tunic and pants - Britains never did - and the joint shows! Note also the lack of adornments at the shoulder with the later figure. In 1837, the trumpeter had Both Trumpeters have new swords in scabbards - as the original figure had an empty scabbard - as they were originally carrying the sword in right hand.

I've also shown my now splendidly appointed Farrier, replete with blue tunic jacket. This figure was really my "spare" - and as such was in the worst condition of all of my castings, originally. The horse now has two new legs - and the rider has a replacement arm with Farriers Victorian Axe - and also a scabbarded sword hangs at his side ( for same reason as trumpeters) An old head now adorns his shoulder - and some more milliput work across his chest - gave him aguillettes - denoting that he is an NCO. jb



 
Sorry that the previous post first line doesn't make much sense. Apparently, you get twenty minutes to edit any errors - and I went over the twenty minutse. The bit about the aguilettes belongs lower down the text - but due to some glitch in my editing - appeared in the wrong line!!! I tried to edit it out - but failed. Whatever!

Ooops! jb
 
This morning finds my second Officer now dried out overnight ( no - paintwork - silly) and fit enough to go on parade - next to his colleague dressed in 1837 attire. Here they both are below.



Other side - which shows the sabre-tache left on for the 1837 figure - and removed for the 1897 figure. As Explained earlier on in the thread - I think Britains made an error in using the figure with a sabretache at all - as from what I have read - 1st LG had ceased using them by 1830. However, as a nod towards Britains set - which I'm trying to re-create - I left it on for my earlier figure, but removed it by surgery in the later figure - and re-made the (minimal)damage caused with milliput. Can you see the join?????:D



three-quarter front view.

 
My set is now complete. Below find a couple of pics. The original Britains Set 72 was of 12 figures (ten Troopers and two Officers). I call my version "Set 72 Plus", as mine has 15 figures; a Trumpeter from both eras (1837 and 1897) plus a mounted Farrier for 1897 were added.

All were re-worked old figures, that were bought originally from the "old" Britains themselves - or the "very close" copy ( some might say from the same mould!), from Johillco. In fact, so close a copy were these five castings, that they also fooled the sellers - who thought they were Britains, and advertised them as such.:confused: Most came via e-bay - and some from Dorset Soldiers "previously owned department"^&grin

I repaired where necessary, restored and re-painted them all in Glossy Toy Soldier style. I would like to particularly thank three people for help, advice and encouragement for my project.

Firstly, my late great friend Alan Caton (or Trooper, as we all knew him) - I do so wish he could have seen them. Then. "Tabs", Martin Tabony - also for encouragement and advice - who helped me get my Trumpeters included, by convincing me!: - and lastly, Giles Brown of Dorset soldiers - who made most of the bits and pieces I needed to fix 'em up! Some as a special order - so cast for me - as they were out of stock.

Some idea of what was required to repair them - is as follows: 11 gauntlet arms with sword at the low carry; 2 trumpet arms; One farriers axe and arm; 9 Horse legs (various); 7 Heads with romanesque helmet. Other parts came from either my "spares box" - or from Mr Milliput!

I'm currently writing up a draft for Toy Soldier Collector magazine - who have expressed an interest. We'll just have to see if that goes anywhere.

Hope you like 'em as much as I do. Can't think what took me so long getting around to it? but, in my defence, they only came out in 1897!:rolleyes:

Sorry in advance for the usual quality of the pics. A photographer - I ain't. jb



 
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They are absolutely stunning JB as to be expected from you !



Next up a mounted band of the lifeguards :)
 
thebritfarmer said:
They are absolutely stunning JB as to be expected from you !



Next up a mounted band of the lifeguards :)
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Glad you like them, Scott.

I'll have to check that out with Yeoman - as Trooper WAS making me a LG band - before he very sadly passed away . Snag is - I keep finding other projects to do which interferes...........jb
 
johnnybach said:
My set is now complete. Below find a couple of pics. The original Britains Set 72 was of 12 figures (ten Troopers and two Officers). I call my version "Set 72 Plus", as mine has 15 figures; a Trumpeter from both eras (1837 and 1897) plus a mounted Farrier for 1897 were added.

All were re-worked old figures, that were bought originally from the "old" Britains themselves - or the "very close" copy ( some might say from the same mould!), from Johillco. In fact, so close a copy were these five castings, that they also fooled the sellers - who thought they were Britains, and advertised them as such.:confused: Most came via e-bay - and some from Dorset Soldiers "previously owned department"^&grin

I repaired where necessary, restored and re-painted them all in Glossy Toy Soldier style. I would like to particularly thank three people for help, advice and encouragement for my project.

Firstly, my late great friend Alan Caton (or Trooper, as we all knew him) - I do so wish he could have seen them. Then. "Tabs", Martin Tabony - also for encouragement and advice - who helped me get my Trumpeters included, by convincing me!: - and lastly, Giles Brown of Dorset soldiers - who made most of the bits and pieces I needed to fix 'em up! Some as a special order - so cast for me - as they were out of stock.

Some idea of what was required to repair them - is as follows: 11 gauntlet arms with sword at the low carry; 2 trumpet arms; One farriers axe and arm; 9 Horse legs (various); 7 Heads with romanesque helmet. Other parts came from either my "spares box" - or from Mr Milliput!

I'm currently writing up a draft for Toy Soldier Collector magazine - who have expressed an interest. We'll just have to see if that goes anywhere.

Hope you like 'em as much as I do. Can't think what took me so long getting around to it? but, in my defence, they only came out in 1897!:rolleyes:

Sorry in advance for the usual quality of the pics. A photographer - I ain't. jb



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Very nice group JB, well done!
Ray
 
Howdy JB. Just read an article in the Toy Soldier Collector about Britains Set 72. The content of the article sounds just like you. Living in Europe and New Zealand, seeing Gile for parts, oven cleaner, etc. Anyway, good job. Very enjoyable reading.
 
Go for Broke said:
Howdy JB. Just read an article in the Toy Soldier Collector about Britains Set 72. The content of the article sounds just like you. Living in Europe and New Zealand, seeing Gile for parts, oven cleaner, etc. Anyway, good job. Very enjoyable reading.
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Yo buddy - thanks for the heads up on my article in Toy Soldier Collector Magazine. I knew they were going to print it at some time - but didn't know just when! I had quite forgotten about sending it in as it was some time ago - shortly after completing it.

I thoroughly enjoyed making the set up ( as you probably saw here first!), and then enjoyed putting down on paper - just how they came to be made.

Glad you enjoyed it - once again. :D jb
 
Just received my copy of Toy Soldier Collector - and to my great surprise - some of my Set 72 made it to the front cover of the magazine! {eek3}

I didn't expect that!!!

Whoo-hoo! :D jb
 
johnnybach said:
Just received my copy of Toy Soldier Collector - and to my great surprise - some of my Set 72 made it to the front cover of the magazine! {eek3}

I didn't expect that!!!

Whoo-hoo! :D jb
Click to expand...

Congratulations my friend, well chosen by TSC, scan the cover and post it so we can see.
Ray
 
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