Lyonnais Drummer (1 Viewer)

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I had a lot of fun making up one of these Ancient Regime drummers from the time of Louis XIV, the St Germain Beaupre regt a couple of years back. That was based on converting the Tradition figure into something else, involving a lot of work.

While sifting thru my white hoard (polystyrene), I came across a lot of Historex kits and parts from that era. These kits are amazing value, with two torso, two sets of coattails. In theory, I could knock up at least two figures from each kit, borrowing bits from other sources. I had generally avoided working on these kits because of unfamiliarity with the uniforms of the era and had focused largely on their Napoleonic kits. But with the above experience, I should be able to work more efficiently with the Historex kits.

A couple of years ago, I came across a lot of info on the period, largely on a series of uniform plates done by RIGO.
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103222&page=47

So I've decided to build a Lyonnais Regt Drummer circa 1724. By that period, the coats were getting to be more elaborate. The Historex kits provides coattails which capture these details. The picture below shows my earlier attempts to get to grips with these kits. I will use these earlier attempts as a starting point.

Rgds Victor

 

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The backview of many references are not shown, but I can deduce the backview from an approx. dating of the regiments, based on an understanding of the chronology of men's clothing. I also dug up an old reference on Men's clothing (see my thread under Nostalgia) to understand how the coat evolved during this period. The Historex kit parts with pleating and flared skirts are not representative of this earlier period 1680-1725, where a justaucorp coat is more appropriate.

Rgds Victor

 

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Victor,

sorry, no back view, but what about a front view?

Its from the NYPL on-line image resources
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org...a7bc34/7:b170faf0-c534-012f-f4b5-58d385a7bc34

John

 

[Obee]

Victor,

here he is a retired set by Beau Geste

John

 

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Hi John,

I think a couple of my posts went awry with the new upgrade? Anyway here are the pics from the previous work.

Qucik summary: I re-used the Historex coat fronts and created new back coat tails from sheet metal for the figure. Based on my understanding, the justaucorp coat evolved from a simple affair of two side slits and a single back slit, to buttoned and then pleated side slits which had moved further backwards. The historex parts seem to show circa 1750s style. I think that circa 1680-1725, the coat was simpler. Hence I constructed a simple former to create folds in metal sheet to represent the back coat tails.

The dummy was first constructed by gluing the Historex coat fronts together and then adding putty to strengthen the torso. Then more putty was used to shape the torso and provide attachment surfaces to glue the back coat tails. Legs were also created and inserted into pre-drilled holes in the torso.

A head was added.

Rgds Victor

 

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Thanks for your pics. They are very helpful.

Despite the title of the thread, I have decided to reproduce another Carignan-Salieres Officer circa 1680 again for this piece. The reason is that the officer had no visible waist belt and I can re-use the Historex coat fronts for this purpose. I will do the Lyonnais Drummer later.

Putty was added to smooth out the transitions from dummy to the metal skirts. I made a hat from rolled out putty and glued this to the figure.

I have decided to give this officer a small bear cub as a mascot. Currently sculpting it from putty.

 

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Worked more on the bear cub.

 

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Side vents were scribed into the justaucorp. The face was sculpted and hair added. The crossbelt was added. With leftover putty the bear cub was further worked on.

 

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I sculpted the arms and collar. Buttons were added.

 

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The flag was made from copper sheet wrapped around a metal tubing. I don't use the Historex flag because it is too small in dimensions. The flag was spray painted and the design was painted on. The flag was then curled to create drapery.

The figure was undercoated in paint to clarify some of the details. The sleeves are being sculpted. The bear cub is taking shape.

 

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Currently taking a detour as I update on some flats. But I glued the flag to the figure and making some short progress here.

 

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Sculpted the cuffs and buttons. Only have to add the ribbons. The bear has been made fuller.

 

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I added more hair to the figure. The finial, taken from Historex, was epoxied to the flagstaff. The ribbons on the hat, right shoulder and stockings were added from thin metal strips. The figure was given a base undercoat in enamels.

The bear was fully sculpted.

 

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I started painting the figure. The bear was covered with white glue and short synthetic fur was sprinkled on it.

 

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Remember this Carignan- Salieres Flag bearer? Well, I did...

I couldn't find the thread and then realized that this was lurking under the Lyonnais Drummer thread. I need a better filing system...

Having completed the ribbons, I've started painting the figure in artist oils.

 

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Moving on with this piece. Most of the figure has been painted over with artist oils (still requiring further detailed painting).

I selected a simple base with some grass and pinned both elements to the base. The leash was attached to the bear cub.

 

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Completed pics of the Carignan-Salieres regt officer in Canada.

 

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I also took a comparison photo of the original model made 30 years ago versus this one. Note the subtle change in uniform update.

 

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Final shots with a brass name plate.