Life Guards - 1837 (1 Viewer)
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johnnybach
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johnnybach
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At long last I found him. Life Guard Trumpeter c.1832. A few uniform differences from the ordinary Trooper
Epaulettes similar to Offficer - blue cuffs and collar with more lace - and zig-zag of blue. I found this illustration on the websitehttp://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyuniforms/britishcavalry/1stlifeguards1832t.htm
Here he is below:
Epaulettes similar to Offficer - blue cuffs and collar with more lace - and zig-zag of blue. I found this illustration on the websitehttp://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyuniforms/britishcavalry/1stlifeguards1832t.htm
Here he is below:
johnnybach
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The farrier, I've got a picture from 1830 showing him wearing the usual blue coat, but his head gear is a bell topped shako covered in fur!
That picture is very interesting. A few points, The helmet was adopted in 1817 but the plates were not until 1822. The Household Cavalry didn't ride blacks until 1830. So there could be lots of mistakes in that painting or it could have been painted during a transitional uniform period. We've all been there!
Martin
As an aside - I think this is the figure you mean Martin - LG Farrier c.1830?
johnnybach
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No not started yet - as I'm still "down under" in NZ.
BUT............Doesn't mean that I'm not still working on my idea to reproduce a version of Britains' old Iconic set 72.
As explained earlier - I want to now add a couple of Trumpeters to each group of six in the original set - so have been keeping an eye out for a couple of likely candidates to help me make them up.
I've had a bit of success in the past week or so, and found some reasonably priced figures that will "do the job" - (see some pics below - kindly sent by my daughter in the UK - who accepted delivery for me!
). So I thought I would share them with you.
[Thank goodness for laptops - and e-bay - without which - much of this would have been nigh-on impossible.]. I did have to get up at some unearthly times of night - to make sure I could get 'em though!!!!
Note that two of these were originally Horse Guards (blue jackets), but that isn't a problem, as once stripped back to bare metal - they will be just two more castings of the same shape - to repair and re-paint. Note also that two have broken off swords held in the right hand, and that the carbine boot is somewhat shortened. Again, no problem - as these can be replaced (arm with sword comes off, for replacement with new re-cast parts) - and the carbine scabbard or boot, can easily be lengthened - and/or replaced ( as you will see later).
So........I needed two mounted Britains original figures - and obtained three - so......I now have the luxury of a spare! And all of the latest three are in pretty good condition - ( I have others already - with much more work to do on them than these)
As you will see below these pics - I also had to buy a few figures ( again in need of repair/refurbishment) - that I didn't really want for this project which came with the deals that I bought. Again, no problem - the LG's in their distinctive red capes have long been a favourite of mine - that I've never managed to own - so will be "keepers". The one above - whose horse's legs appear to be VERY short - is actually a Johillco figure ( so won't be used for this project - as ALL will be Britains) - but I'll probably repair and repaint him - and maybe have a go at re-selling this one on e-bay?? That'll be a first for me - but maybe I could actually make a modest profit on him - who knows???
The "Mare and foal" - I might use for a future Cowboy scene, that I have in mind - so all will be useful at some point in the future.
Here's the first two views - the second showing these can actually stand up - ALL the horses have all of their legs!! Wow! {eek3}- that's almost a first for me - when repairing mounted figures!^&grin - jb:salute::
BUT............Doesn't mean that I'm not still working on my idea to reproduce a version of Britains' old Iconic set 72.
As explained earlier - I want to now add a couple of Trumpeters to each group of six in the original set - so have been keeping an eye out for a couple of likely candidates to help me make them up.
I've had a bit of success in the past week or so, and found some reasonably priced figures that will "do the job" - (see some pics below - kindly sent by my daughter in the UK - who accepted delivery for me!
). So I thought I would share them with you.[Thank goodness for laptops - and e-bay - without which - much of this would have been nigh-on impossible.]. I did have to get up at some unearthly times of night - to make sure I could get 'em though!!!!
Note that two of these were originally Horse Guards (blue jackets), but that isn't a problem, as once stripped back to bare metal - they will be just two more castings of the same shape - to repair and re-paint. Note also that two have broken off swords held in the right hand, and that the carbine boot is somewhat shortened. Again, no problem - as these can be replaced (arm with sword comes off, for replacement with new re-cast parts) - and the carbine scabbard or boot, can easily be lengthened - and/or replaced ( as you will see later).
So........I needed two mounted Britains original figures - and obtained three - so......I now have the luxury of a spare! And all of the latest three are in pretty good condition - ( I have others already - with much more work to do on them than these)
As you will see below these pics - I also had to buy a few figures ( again in need of repair/refurbishment) - that I didn't really want for this project which came with the deals that I bought. Again, no problem - the LG's in their distinctive red capes have long been a favourite of mine - that I've never managed to own - so will be "keepers". The one above - whose horse's legs appear to be VERY short - is actually a Johillco figure ( so won't be used for this project - as ALL will be Britains) - but I'll probably repair and repaint him - and maybe have a go at re-selling this one on e-bay?? That'll be a first for me - but maybe I could actually make a modest profit on him - who knows???
The "Mare and foal" - I might use for a future Cowboy scene, that I have in mind - so all will be useful at some point in the future.
Here's the first two views - the second showing these can actually stand up - ALL the horses have all of their legs!! Wow! {eek3}- that's almost a first for me - when repairing mounted figures!^&grin - jb:salute::
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johnnybach
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Further to my last - here's yet another Life Guard - which came my way via e-bay in a mixed lot. Now this one is far more typical of the injuries to pieces, which frequently come along. ( He could be either a Britains - or johillco figure - difficult to tell in this state - but can be fixed up, either way).
Note the almost obligatory sword blade missing from the right carrying arm, (replacement arm with sword required). Then, damage to all four legs - with one VERY bent and the other three snapped off the horse - however tail is intact ( frequently broken off too). The boot to the scabbarded carbine is also broken off - but that's an easy fix - as you will see later. There's also a snapped off scabbard for the sword at the other side - so that's a replacement part required too.
So - another one for my growing collection - with typical parts required to replace - and a few modifications needed.
I now have the luxury of two extra spare figures - so maybe my eventual set could feature a few more than Set 72 ever did.
Note that I only bought this figure because he was in a "lot" which contained other pieces that I wanted - and got them all at a very good price - so I think I will stop collecting them now.
See you later...............jb
Note the almost obligatory sword blade missing from the right carrying arm, (replacement arm with sword required). Then, damage to all four legs - with one VERY bent and the other three snapped off the horse - however tail is intact ( frequently broken off too). The boot to the scabbarded carbine is also broken off - but that's an easy fix - as you will see later. There's also a snapped off scabbard for the sword at the other side - so that's a replacement part required too.
So - another one for my growing collection - with typical parts required to replace - and a few modifications needed.
I now have the luxury of two extra spare figures - so maybe my eventual set could feature a few more than Set 72 ever did.
Note that I only bought this figure because he was in a "lot" which contained other pieces that I wanted - and got them all at a very good price - so I think I will stop collecting them now.
See you later...............jb
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GICOP
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Further to my last - here's yet another Life Guard - which came my way via e-bay in a mixed lot. Now this one is far more typical of the injuries to pieces, which frequently come along. ( He could be either a Britains - or johillco figure - difficult to tell in this state - but can be fixed up, either way).
Note the almost obligatory sword blade missing from the right carrying arm, (replacement arm with sword required). Then, damage to all four legs - with one VERY bent and the other three snapped off the horse - however tail is intact ( frequently broken off too). The boot to the scabbarded carbine is also broken off - but that's an easy fix - as you will see later. There's also a snapped off scabbard for the sword at the other side - so that's a replacement part required too.
So - another one for my growing collection - with typical parts required to replace - and a few modifications needed.
I now have the luxury of two extra spare figures - so maybe my eventual set could feature a few more than Set 72 ever did.
Note that I only bought this figure because he was in a "lot" which contained other pieces that I wanted - and got them all at a very good price - so I think I will stop collecting them now.
See you later...............jb
Excellent Winter Project you have going here jb :salute::
Cheers
Martyn
johnnybach
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Excellent Winter Project you have going here jb :salute::
Cheers
Martyn
Yes, cheers M - something to look forward to - when I get back to the UK.
Then......it will take a little trip South - and a very pleasant day out in Dorset, to collect the spare parts I will need to fix 'em all up! So................yet another thing to look forward to.
jb
johnnybach
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Back to work!
First job is to find out just what I have to work with - so into a bath of oven cleaner (in batches) and get back to clean castings. The pic below shows what I obtained in my various lots. Top row of five - shows that I have 5 "One eared" mounts with Life Guard in the saddle. Note that the first figure has been fitted with a Romanesque Helmet head. This is the one re-cast head that I obtained on my last visit to Dorset Soldiers - and the others in this row will become troopers 1837 by using this head. Note also ( and surprisingly), that NONE of these castings are by Britains! They do look the same - but are in fact the very close JoHillco copies, produced in the 50's. The big surprise for me, was what good condition all the figures appeared to be in. I have done some slight work straightening legs and removing some heads etc, - but all legs and tails on the horses are sound - so just helmet-heads to add - and the odd sword scabbard in need of attention before painting ( though as usual, I intend to put ALL figures on a good base). I removed all remaining broken arms/swords - to leave a stub ready for new ones. Just like the old set - these new arms will be fitted permanently in place. i don't like ugly rivets and loose arms anyway.
Next (second) row ARE all Britains - and are the two-eared variety. These will become my 1897 contingent - and wear the more modern Albert style helmet. I removed some heads from the 1837 figures - and drilled and pinned them into place on some of the 1897 figures, so using up some of the beheaded parts on these figures. I will need to add the scabbarded carbine to each figure - as by the time these were produced, (again in the 1950's), Britains had removed them from the horses. Perhaps you can make out that two of these horses will require a new leg. Again, sword scabbards need some attention - and lastly, ALL ten figures require a new right arm with sword at the carry ( see next to the first figure - which is a new recast part - and will fit straight on).
All figures below these ten - are really surperfluous for this project, though I will restore, refurbish and repaint them all. Some I may keep ( I rather fancy the two in cloaks), but the rest - which include Britains, a couple of REKA figures and also JoHillco's - will be re-sold on - as I don't require them as donor figures for this project, as all spares are now on order.
So............all of my Troopers are accounted for - my two Officers on the Prancing horses ( and two additional figures to become trumpeters) have been put by - and are waiting for me to collect at Dorset Soldiers - along with all spare parts that I will need.
My project has now begun to take shape. {sm3} ( to be continued). jb
First job is to find out just what I have to work with - so into a bath of oven cleaner (in batches) and get back to clean castings. The pic below shows what I obtained in my various lots. Top row of five - shows that I have 5 "One eared" mounts with Life Guard in the saddle. Note that the first figure has been fitted with a Romanesque Helmet head. This is the one re-cast head that I obtained on my last visit to Dorset Soldiers - and the others in this row will become troopers 1837 by using this head. Note also ( and surprisingly), that NONE of these castings are by Britains! They do look the same - but are in fact the very close JoHillco copies, produced in the 50's. The big surprise for me, was what good condition all the figures appeared to be in. I have done some slight work straightening legs and removing some heads etc, - but all legs and tails on the horses are sound - so just helmet-heads to add - and the odd sword scabbard in need of attention before painting ( though as usual, I intend to put ALL figures on a good base). I removed all remaining broken arms/swords - to leave a stub ready for new ones. Just like the old set - these new arms will be fitted permanently in place. i don't like ugly rivets and loose arms anyway.
Next (second) row ARE all Britains - and are the two-eared variety. These will become my 1897 contingent - and wear the more modern Albert style helmet. I removed some heads from the 1837 figures - and drilled and pinned them into place on some of the 1897 figures, so using up some of the beheaded parts on these figures. I will need to add the scabbarded carbine to each figure - as by the time these were produced, (again in the 1950's), Britains had removed them from the horses. Perhaps you can make out that two of these horses will require a new leg. Again, sword scabbards need some attention - and lastly, ALL ten figures require a new right arm with sword at the carry ( see next to the first figure - which is a new recast part - and will fit straight on).
All figures below these ten - are really surperfluous for this project, though I will restore, refurbish and repaint them all. Some I may keep ( I rather fancy the two in cloaks), but the rest - which include Britains, a couple of REKA figures and also JoHillco's - will be re-sold on - as I don't require them as donor figures for this project, as all spares are now on order.
So............all of my Troopers are accounted for - my two Officers on the Prancing horses ( and two additional figures to become trumpeters) have been put by - and are waiting for me to collect at Dorset Soldiers - along with all spare parts that I will need.
My project has now begun to take shape. {sm3} ( to be continued). jb
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johnnybach
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They certainly do Ray. Often, underneath old layers of paint and a bit of dirt ( remembering that the youngest of these these are 60 plus years old - and SOME could be around 100 years), there is a very nice casting.
I use Oven Cleaner in a gel/liquid form - and an old toothbrush for stubborn bits, to remove the old layers of paint.. Around an hour or two will be enough of a soak, normally. Many of the old painters of these figures, were paid on piece-work ( I've heard tales of mostly female workers painting these up at home for sums as little as sixpence to one shilling per hundred figures. Hardly surprising then that the paint was often quickly and thickly applied - which can hide details of superb castings underneath. Many of these had also had more coats of paint applied - in an attempt to improve battered original playworn stuff. It all comes off though.
As I said - I was very pleasantly surprised at the general state of repair of these figures. You can see the varied lengths of the scabbarded swords on these figures - (hidden side - but they stick out underneath), which will need some attention. If you look at the figure bottom left - you can see the beginning of a repair to that one (shows up in white). This is a small roll of Milliput - which was applied on top of a steel pin and shaped. The pin is a piece of paper-clip which was glued into the drilled out stump of the old scabbard - and cut to length. Once the whole thing has "cured" - I'll sand it down to the correct thickness and then spray with primer.
Same fix for the two horse legs I will need to repair - drilling and pinning on two replacement parts that I've ordered from Dorset. As Dorset Soldiers is around a two hour drive - I like to make a day out of it - and have a chat with Giles about possible future projects I have in mind - when I go to collect my latest order. Will be going in the next couple of weeks - which will be a fun day out!
So............keep an eye out for future posts on this project Ray, :salute:: jb
johnnybach
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In between splashing the odd drop of paint about (and waiting for it to dry), I've been putting together some bits and pieces on some of my Life Guards - which are now castings, once again.
I've shown a few below - so that you can better see some of the repairs/alterations/assembly better.
I've shown a few below - so that you can better see some of the repairs/alterations/assembly better.
johnnybach
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Below find a pic - where at last I can now show all 14 figures - which will eventually make up my very own version of "Britains Set 72 - Life Guards past and Present" - issued by them to commemorate the diamond Jubilee of Queen victoria, well over 100 years ago.
Note that my set will have an additional two figures to the Britains set - which will be trumpeters - one for each sub group. Note also that the 1837 Life Guards have all been fitted now with the striking Romanesque helmet ( a Dorset Soldiers spare part - as all of my spares are for this project). I have tried to show both sides of the two sets of figures - to show various repairs, changes and alterations. Some of the removed heads were re-used on the 1897 figures - where the originals were missing. the rest are new spares (Dorset).
In front of both sets of troopers (plus a trumpeter - which will use the same basic figure) are the two Officers on the prancing horse. Most Troopers will require a right arm holding a sword, which were mostly broken off with my e-bay finds, - and is at the relaxed carry (Not certain of the name of this particular carry - but it is unsheathed and in the right hand. [Look back to my earlier pic of the set to check out]. Martin probably knows - so if he looks in - may be able to help with this term.
If you look carefully - behind the 1897 Officer - you will see that the first pair of troopers are on horses with repaired legs. the left figure has had the front leg partially replaced - and the right figure of the pair has had the rear leg partially replaced. (dilled, pinned and glued) This show up as a faint line on the pic - which will vanish once the figures are primed and painted. I have also replaced most of the snapped off scabbards (fixed to the horse), where appropriate, by surgery. note also that there are TWO kinds of horses with these castings. The 1837 contingent troopers are on the "one-eared" horse - and the 1898 horses have two ears. This is because Britains changed the casting slightly during the 1920's - and I chose to use the earlier casting for the older era troopers.
For the above reason - I had to mount holstered carbines on the newer casting - as by the time they were replaced - Britains took the change opportunity to remove the carbine from the casting. Both Officers ride two-eared mounts - as I was unable to find this figure on a one-eared mount - due to it's rarity these days. I wil consider removal and replacement - but at the moment I'm resisting it - as my motto has always been "If it ain't broke - don't fix it!".
Note also where you can see bit's of "white" on the figures - this is just a milliput repair to some mostly minor flaws or holes which have appeared in the exposed casting when the paint came off. Each figure will have a close inspection before painting - to check on flaws or omissions. I will probably paint the arms/swords etc OFF the figure, as I usually do - as it's easier to get at body parts with them off. They can be fitted towards the end of the painting process and then touched in. The arms will no longer be "swinging" however, as I don't like them that way at all. They add nothing to the figure, in my opinion, and are just a constant source of potential wear to the paintwork and further damage. My own added bases should also help keep these figures much more stable than they ever were before - as these all stand on just three legs. These were also drilled and pinned/glued into the legs of the steeds.
Next step will be to prime them all - and then paint. We're off! :salute:: jb
Note that my set will have an additional two figures to the Britains set - which will be trumpeters - one for each sub group. Note also that the 1837 Life Guards have all been fitted now with the striking Romanesque helmet ( a Dorset Soldiers spare part - as all of my spares are for this project). I have tried to show both sides of the two sets of figures - to show various repairs, changes and alterations. Some of the removed heads were re-used on the 1897 figures - where the originals were missing. the rest are new spares (Dorset).
In front of both sets of troopers (plus a trumpeter - which will use the same basic figure) are the two Officers on the prancing horse. Most Troopers will require a right arm holding a sword, which were mostly broken off with my e-bay finds, - and is at the relaxed carry (Not certain of the name of this particular carry - but it is unsheathed and in the right hand. [Look back to my earlier pic of the set to check out]. Martin probably knows - so if he looks in - may be able to help with this term.
If you look carefully - behind the 1897 Officer - you will see that the first pair of troopers are on horses with repaired legs. the left figure has had the front leg partially replaced - and the right figure of the pair has had the rear leg partially replaced. (dilled, pinned and glued) This show up as a faint line on the pic - which will vanish once the figures are primed and painted. I have also replaced most of the snapped off scabbards (fixed to the horse), where appropriate, by surgery. note also that there are TWO kinds of horses with these castings. The 1837 contingent troopers are on the "one-eared" horse - and the 1898 horses have two ears. This is because Britains changed the casting slightly during the 1920's - and I chose to use the earlier casting for the older era troopers.
For the above reason - I had to mount holstered carbines on the newer casting - as by the time they were replaced - Britains took the change opportunity to remove the carbine from the casting. Both Officers ride two-eared mounts - as I was unable to find this figure on a one-eared mount - due to it's rarity these days. I wil consider removal and replacement - but at the moment I'm resisting it - as my motto has always been "If it ain't broke - don't fix it!".
Note also where you can see bit's of "white" on the figures - this is just a milliput repair to some mostly minor flaws or holes which have appeared in the exposed casting when the paint came off. Each figure will have a close inspection before painting - to check on flaws or omissions. I will probably paint the arms/swords etc OFF the figure, as I usually do - as it's easier to get at body parts with them off. They can be fitted towards the end of the painting process and then touched in. The arms will no longer be "swinging" however, as I don't like them that way at all. They add nothing to the figure, in my opinion, and are just a constant source of potential wear to the paintwork and further damage. My own added bases should also help keep these figures much more stable than they ever were before - as these all stand on just three legs. These were also drilled and pinned/glued into the legs of the steeds.
Next step will be to prime them all - and then paint. We're off! :salute:: jb
johnnybach
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cheers John - I'll give 'em my best shot. Glad you like my updates - it's adds to the fun - to share - so my pleasure chum.
jb
Wolfgang_UK
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Great project and I am having fun following each new step of the restoration process. The bases especially are looking very smart and professional. I have always been a bit funny about proper looking bases cause I think they are adding a lot to the figures overall appearance of each and every figurine. Very well done indeed. Looking forward to the forthcoming reports from the painting-department.{sm4}
Kind Regards
Wolfgang
Kind Regards
Wolfgang
johnnybach
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Thganks Wolfgang, glad you're enjoying them too. One of my pet hates - is the lack of a proper stand for horses. I think that this is one of the main reasons that I find so many TS horses with missing or bent legs. You can see from my pics, that the two Officer "prancing" horses HAVE to be on a small base - and these were both fine.
My bases are quite simple things. I buy offcuts of alloy metal from a local engineering firm - who sell small pieces off for quite a low price, rather than waste them. A pound or two will buy me a sheet, which will make me dozens of bases - so cost pennies for each one. I first measure up the size I need, usually by plonking my horse on a piece of paper and drawing a few pencil lines around the legs. Then square it up - allow a bit for outside - and out with the hacksaw. Cut and file them off - with rounded corners - and they're done.
Then it's drill and pin the horse to the new base - and they are then far less prone to being accidentally knocked over - especially, when like these - they were only standing on three legs to begin with. The bonus for me is - I think they look better too.
Glad you approve jb.
johnnybach
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Made a start yesterday on my first two figures from the 1837 contingent - of my version of Britains old set 72.
On the left is a Trooper - and the other is the Officer on the prancing horse. I am really going to copy what Britains actually did with their version - although in some respects, I think that they had made some errors. The Officer, for example, is shown with a sabretache - and by 1837 these had ceased to be in use by the Life Guards. I'm going to have to decide what to do for the 1897 figure - when I get to him - as it is even less likely he would have worn one.
I'm also going to make mine - as the 1st Life Guards, as the 2nd LG - would be using the shabraque on the horse with rounded corner. This figure has the pointed one - so he's 1st LG.
I tried out my primer before starting - and once again thought it was too thick and messy - so decided to go back to my usual method, of underpainting in a complementary colour in matte - and then going over to gloss for the top-coat (i.e, using the matte coat as my primer). I'm happy with the results, so far - and this pic shows the result of a couple of hours very pleasant "work" yesterday evening.
On the left is a Trooper - and the other is the Officer on the prancing horse. I am really going to copy what Britains actually did with their version - although in some respects, I think that they had made some errors. The Officer, for example, is shown with a sabretache - and by 1837 these had ceased to be in use by the Life Guards. I'm going to have to decide what to do for the 1897 figure - when I get to him - as it is even less likely he would have worn one.
I'm also going to make mine - as the 1st Life Guards, as the 2nd LG - would be using the shabraque on the horse with rounded corner. This figure has the pointed one - so he's 1st LG.
I tried out my primer before starting - and once again thought it was too thick and messy - so decided to go back to my usual method, of underpainting in a complementary colour in matte - and then going over to gloss for the top-coat (i.e, using the matte coat as my primer). I'm happy with the results, so far - and this pic shows the result of a couple of hours very pleasant "work" yesterday evening.
johnnybach
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Progress being made with my first few (decided to concentrate on the 1837 contingent first).
Note the LG Officer on the prancing horse is now not very far off completion. I usually like to do this with one of any new figure - as you learn how to approach painting them that way - and makes the rest easier. You may see that he still has his original right arm with tin-strip sword - which is a rare survivor, as most of these that you now find as broken. I'm very pleased with his replacement head (Copy from Dorset Soldiers), which looks just fine.
Also, at the rear are Trumpeter (White horse) and Trooper with the 1837 helmet. To the right is one of the 1897 types: take a look at the replacement sword scabbard which I fitted to this mount - as the old one had been snapped off ( a common problem). It's a relatively easy replacement - as the old "stump" is cut away and scraped back down flat with a scalpel type craft knife - and then a small hole is drilled in the horse side - and the new scabbard is glued onto the prepared area and slots into your pre-drilled hole. Compare it to the Trooper next door - who still has the original scabbard. Giles has cast these in a slightly harder mix of metal too - so they should resist further breakages better than the originals. My new bases also provide a bit more protection for small parts like this - as they resist accidental knock-downs much better. jb
Note the LG Officer on the prancing horse is now not very far off completion. I usually like to do this with one of any new figure - as you learn how to approach painting them that way - and makes the rest easier. You may see that he still has his original right arm with tin-strip sword - which is a rare survivor, as most of these that you now find as broken. I'm very pleased with his replacement head (Copy from Dorset Soldiers), which looks just fine.
Also, at the rear are Trumpeter (White horse) and Trooper with the 1837 helmet. To the right is one of the 1897 types: take a look at the replacement sword scabbard which I fitted to this mount - as the old one had been snapped off ( a common problem). It's a relatively easy replacement - as the old "stump" is cut away and scraped back down flat with a scalpel type craft knife - and then a small hole is drilled in the horse side - and the new scabbard is glued onto the prepared area and slots into your pre-drilled hole. Compare it to the Trooper next door - who still has the original scabbard. Giles has cast these in a slightly harder mix of metal too - so they should resist further breakages better than the originals. My new bases also provide a bit more protection for small parts like this - as they resist accidental knock-downs much better. jb
