More Cavalry (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

So........there I was, browsing e-bay again - just looking......................

When all of a sudden - there's more Cavalry. A job-lot of various damaged mounted Cav!!

I'll just take a little peek, to see what's on offer. Hmmmm...............Britains Johillco - a lot of them not standing up - as usual. Hang on - that's a couple of Reka's there.

Now, after making up several sets of these lately, I thought I was over my Cavalry phase................But...................as they say, you never really get over what you enjoy doing most. So, suffice to say - I won them for a very reasonable price - and thanks to paypal, they were soon on their way.

Fancy a peep?????



So.... here's what I have this time -which as you may see, includes several pieces who had trouble standing - or with other bits gone AWOL along the way. They have had a good bath, by the way, and I've already got them all up on their feet - and even a couple on new stands, at the back. Dorset Soldier spare parts to the rescue, once again! Off to the books now - to ID what I can.





Starting at the back left, I have two Household cavalry in Winter Dress. The first one is by Johillco and the next figure is by Britains (yes, I know they look very similar - but only the Britains figure is marked under the horse). Third along is another Britains Trooper - whilst the last figure is another Johillco Household Cavalry Trooper ( as is the figure directly in front of him) - and this time, they are two of the "Large Figures" produced by that old manufacturer.

At both sides of my pic, you may be able to see two "Prancing Mounted Officer" mounts. The two on the left are again, Household Cavalry Officers - whilst the two on the right are Hussar Officers. The four bear a remarkable resemblance to some of the very early Britains mounted figures - which may be unsurprising - as these four are by Benbros, founded by the Wood Brothers, one of whom (George Wood), was heavily involved in the design of Britains figures. Clearly, when he left to found other businesses, he took several ideas with him.

I have been looking for such Benbros figures for quite a while - so couldn't be more pleased with these four finds.

The remainder of the central figures hold a few more surprises too. There are two Reka figures - one of which has a signature just below the horse blanket - of guess who???? It's G. Wood again - this time announcing that he designed this Reka figure ( he clearly got around a bit!). My books describe it as a scarce example - which was first made in 1910. Pity about two new legs required to make him stand up again - if he had been complete - he would be worth a bit!! One Reka is another hussar - and one has a helmet - so I may make him up as a Dragoon.

Also, in centre pic - is another Britains figure - and this time it's of an Officer from the Mountain Screw Gun set ( the one with four mules and a demounted gun shared amongst them). He's clearly been separated from his set (which I own a copy of), so that once he's fixed up [I've repaired front horse leg already - which was missing] and then repainted - he can join my existing team as an extra Officer.

My last two are the small scale Crescent Household Cavalry figure at front - whilst just behind my two Benbros Officers at left - is a figure that has so far defied positively identifying - but his horse bears resemblances to a few of Johillco's older figures.

I will base all of them up next - and then painting can commence. I'll probably make some of my latest Household Cav figures up as Life Guards - and some as RHG - as I seem to have very few of the latter im my collection at present.

See you later - jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a look at the figures in a little more detail. I'll start with my four Benbros Mounted Officers. (The horse shabraques and other parts of their kit. indicate these are Officers). These four did not need new stands - as they come with a small wedge shaped stand for the prancing horse already.

My first two are Hussars - and the best that could be said about their original paint-jobs was "Fanciful" - as it bore no relationship to any British Hussar Regiment that I know of. I will repaint them in the proper uniforms of two of the hussar Regiments of the Victorian era. One will be from my favourite Regiment - the 11th "Cherry Pickers" - but I haven't made my mind up yet for the other.

The first pic below shows the left hand figure more or less complete. The right hand figure shows repairs by the brighter metal of new parts - and the additional milliput repairs which show up in white. Note that I have left the head plume showing a metal pin - which has been glued in to a drilled hole. I will model the plume later to look more like the original - but this core will strengthen the new plume. Also note a new tail which replaced a missing part - and also part of the front leg - which has also been added by pinning to the right hand figure. Quite a few small holes were also filled using more milliput. A crack in one hoof where it joined the stand was also repaired this way. (All spares are from Dorset Soldiers).






My next two Benbros figures - are Household Cavalry - and are basically a very similar figure with a different head added. Again, the left figure is less damaged than the right with my two. Many small holes and imperfections were repaired with milliput - and another shiny new tail has been grafted on. The right figure was completely snapped off the base when received - so the base was drilled up through each stump of the hoof into the two legs of the figure - and pinned and glued in place. The joint was then finished off with infills of milliput and sanded back.

Note that I usually leave loose arms off the figure until the awkward frontal body area of the figure has been painted. Each figure will eventually be fitted with arm/sword - once painting is well underway. The arms when fitted will be fixed in place - as I don't like these loose arms. I think they add little and spoil the look of a figure anyway. I'm thinking that I'll paint these two up as Life Guard - and Royal Horse Guard members.





I'm still making and fitting bases to the rest of my 14 figures - but will show you some more - as they are completed - and repaired to fit on their new stands. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here are 3 more of this lot - all Britains this time.

From the left they are Household Cavalry in Winter Cape; H/Cav Trooper - and a Mounted Artillery Officer from the Mountain Artillery set.



Repairs include the usual holes to be filled, legs to be partially replaced and a horse tail. You may spot that I have added a scabbarded carbine to the central figure - and also replaced his sword scabbard with a new one ( the old one had a commonly found shortened piece left - the original being snapped off. The carbine was dropped from Britains castings in 1912 - but I like it there - so have added a new one.

I trust that by now you will be able to see replacement parts - they usually show up as newer silvery metal at this stage. Note also the arms - yet to be replaced in front of their respective figures.



Here's another three - originally described by me as Johillco figures. Well, a more detailed investigation into the origin of the two figures at the rear, indicate that they are actually figures from Fylde, which bear a marked similarity to both Johillco figures and Cherilea ( who took them over in 1950. These figures were made by Fylde from 1947-1950. The same designer, Wilfred Cherrington worked for all three companies. The H/Cav Trooper in Winter cape - who looks so similar to the Britains figure actually IS a Johillco piece - and is marked on the underside of the horse to that effect.




Note the new rear legs on the right hand larger horse. I have to make up a missing sword in hand for the left figure - and remove the existing sword hilt from the scabbard for both figures. The caped figure just requires a new sword/arm to be added. Note also what remains of some of my "Horse legs/tails on a sprue" from Dorset Soldiers. As can be seen, the whole leg is cast - from which whatever missing parts required can be selected and modified to suit the figure/pose required. jb

 

[Peter Reuss]

A master in action...I love seeing how you work

 

[theBaron]

Excellent fixes, John! I can hardly wait for the painting stage

Prost!
Brad

 

[Ivanhoe]

Here's a look at the figures in a little more detail. I'll start with my four Benbros Mounted Officers. (The horse shabraques and other parts of their kit. indicate these are Officers). These four did not need new stands - as they come with a small wedge shaped stand for the prancing horse already.

jb

jb;

Under the category "you learn something new every day", I would not have guessed these were "Benbros" as the Benbros figures I am familiar with are more "bulky".

It still amazes me how quickly you work...especially with taking time for the photos and explanations of what you are doing.

It is amazing to follow some of your projects.

Thank you again !

 

[johnnybach]

jb;

Under the category "you learn something new every day", I would not have guessed these were "Benbros" as the Benbros figures I am familiar with are more "bulky".

It still amazes me how quickly you work...especially with taking time for the photos and explanations of what you are doing.

It is amazing to follow some of your projects.

Thank you again !

There's an illustration of some of these Benbros Household cav in Norman Joplin's "The Great Book of Hollow-Cast Figures" - on page 24 (Plate 37), which shows them. They are indeed pretty close to some very old Britains figures - although I think the horse owes a lot to some of the Timpo horses too. I'm guessing that some of the Toy Soldier designers working around London in the early years, were employed by many of the same old firms.

As for speed of work well, I guess that I've been doing this sort of thing for quite a while now - and I must be getting quicker at it! I do try NEVER to rush things though, as it always shows when you do.

Glad you enjoy looking in - and thanks for doing so. :salute:: jb

 

[thebritfarmer]

A nice haul, looking forward to seeing them come to life !

 

[johnnybach]

A nice haul, looking forward to seeing them come to life !

Yo Scott - Yes, I know what you mean - as it's when the colour starts going on that they seem to do that. BUT - you have to get the basics done first - and I actually enjoy this part just as much.

Here's another pic of my two Fylde figures again. The one with the sword originally, had been repaired once before - by the previous owner making a tin sword. Rather than replace the arm/sword - I decided to keep it (as part of it's previous history) - and make the other one up to match. I therefore drilled out the hand of the other figure - and tried my hand at making up a replica of the original from a flattened out piece of paper clip. Here's the result.



I might also add a carbine to each figure later - haven't decided yet. jb

 

[nmrocks]

It's an amazing job you do to reclaim these damaged figures JB! :salute::
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

It's an amazing job you do to reclaim these damaged figures JB! :salute::
Ray

Well, thank you Ray - much appreciated. It's not really that amazing though, but it is a very pleasant way of making a collection that's just a wee bit different. Whenever I buy a new figure ( which is rarely!), I often feel that I'm stuck with what I have.

When you buy a very used figure - with maybe one or two blemishes, breakages or lost bits, however - that's a completely different ball-game. I kind-of feel much free-er to chop and change a figure to make something that I want - so will remove or add other bits and pieces - and finally repaint them JUST how I would like them. I also feel free to correct any errors or omissions that the original maker may have made.

Cowboys with pistol in hand - but no holster! Whatta -mistaka they makea!!! No problemo - I'll add one.

A Cavalryman with sword or carbine in his hand - and another in his scabbard - again, no problem.

A Houeshold cavalry Officer - on a white horse???? Simples senor - where's the black paint?

Great fun - and here's the best bit with broken figures.....................Man............they don't cost much either. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Building on my last remarks - here's another pic which shows an example of what I mean. Below, see two figures with sword at the carry. Note that on the right hand figure, there is a sword already in his scabbard. The figure at left - has now had his sword hilt removed from the scabbard by surgery ( literally, trimmed off with a scalpel - and then filed flush by me). I'll do the same for the other figure too before painting. I think I will also add a carbine to each figure - as they do look a bit plain.



Last couple of pics - will show my last group of figures - three of which are by REKA ( and one is still positively unidentified - but I suspect could also be by this long-gone London based manufacturer).


No problem with the figure at left - he has REKA marked on his saddle-cloth. The other at right is also REKA though unmarked. The samller figure at front I have also ID'd from this manufacturer - though Crescent took over the moulds later on - so could be produced by them. The figure at the rear is my mystery figure - as I can't find a pic of him in this pose from any of my usual sources. He is from one of the usual suspects, for sure - and I can find SIMILAR poses from many of the old British Hollow-cast producers.

Spot the repaired legs to horses - and milliput fixes to most of the figures - including missing plume to Hussar Cap ( a couple of small casting breather holes to do yet - but we are almost there now for repairs). jb

 

[johnnybach]

Okay - enough of the prep - now on to the painting of these now (mostly) repaired figures. I say mostly, because there are usually always little bits and pieces missed to sort out - but I want to get on with the fun bit now.

Here's a pic of the six I'm going to tackle first. I don't like to paint all 14 at the same time - as it's too much like "factory painting" that way. I enjoy taking on a few at a time - and chose these. Three will be painted in the same format as before - but the Britains LG in Winter Cape will now become a Royal Horse Guard (RHG) Trooper. The two bigger Fylde figures, which came as Household Cavalry - look better suited to becoming Dragoon Guards to me ( as the Curiasse is not defined at all - just painted on!). So.... I've chosen to make them up as (a) 5th (Princess of Charlotte of Wales') Dragoon Guard - and (b) 6th Dragoon Guard (Carabiniers). There will be a noticeable difference between them, once painted - as the Carabiniers were the only Dragoon Guards to wear Blue tunics - the rest wore red tunic jackets.

Already primed - I've started on faces and undercoat for some red parts. All will be late Victorian when completed. jb

 

[DMNamiot]

Johnny, can't wait to see these when they are done! There are some really interesting figures in this haul! Thanks for sharing them, especially the Reka figures I haven't seen many of them except in my books.

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Johnny, can't wait to see these when they are done! There are some really interesting figures in this haul! Thanks for sharing them, especially the Reka figures I haven't seen many of them except in my books.

Dave

Hi Dave - yes, That's what I thought when I first saw this lot on e-bay for a very reasonable price. I put it on "watching" for a day - and it didn't attract any bids. Meanwhile, I pored over my books and thought that I'd identified MOST of them ( some incorrectly, as it turned out) - and as it was a "Buy it Now" - quickly decided to do just that.

When they arrived shortly afterwards - I couldn't have been more delighted with the variety of figures I had purchased!

I'd also assessed the damages from the pictures by then, which were also far less daunting than many I'd dealt with before, so that was again, a very pleasant surprise. I already had all of the spares required in my stash of Dorset spares - so was ready to rock straight away!

I also didn't have a REKA in my collection before - and now I have three - one of them a signed item by George Wood - and another quite scarce smaller (40mm) version too! How nice is that?

Same goes for my two Fylde figures. Never seen them before, but eventually worked out what they were. With a few additional parts added, they are coming along nicely now in their new roles as Late Victorian Dragoon Guards.

The Britains are also very nice figures ( as usual) and hopefully, will look brand-new when completed too.

But for me - the real stars will be those four Benbros Prancing Horse Officers - both Hussars and Household Cavalry - which I have been chasing for a couple of years without any success. Then BOOM! - I get them all in one go for a silly price!

Blooming Marvelous! Couldn't be more pleased. I'll try to squeeze in an hour or two on them today - and maybe show a pic on progress later.

Cheers - jb:salute::

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Johnny, Looking forward to seeing them come back to life. Like you I an always looking for the little odd figures I just wish I could repair them as well as you. I have a couple of Heyde Lancers that need a leg or two but they will have to wait until I get na work shop area set up whenever we finally settle down and stop moving around like gypsies...

Thanks again for sharing these with us!

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Johnny, Looking forward to seeing them come back to life. Like you I an always looking for the little odd figures I just wish I could repair them as well as you. I have a couple of Heyde Lancers that need a leg or two but they will have to wait until I get na work shop area set up whenever we finally settle down and stop moving around like gypsies...

Thanks again for sharing these with us!

Dave

It's just practice Dave, ( and a bit of spare time) - that's all.

I know what you mean about the nomadic life-style in the Army - but nothing is forever! Just keep on finding 'em - and building up a stash - and one day....................:salute::jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a sitrep on progress.

The front left LG is Britains - and the RHG on right is the Johillco.

At rear are the larger Dragoon Guards (originally by Fylde) as 5th and 6th Regts. Note that I have added carbines in scabbards to the saddles - as that side looked a bit plain and I always like my soldiers well armed! I also added two small bullet pouches to the back of each soldier's crossbelt - as the original maker didn't include them. (Dorset spares again!).

Won't get much done for the next few days - as my Grandchildren and I will be off to do some sightseeing. see you later. jb

 

[johnnybach]

I completed these two Dragoon Guard troopers earlier - and must admit I was quite pleased with them - so decided to show them on their own.

They came to me as two rather battered specimens of a not very common manufacturer - Fylde Box Company - who was making hollowcast figures in Blackpool for a comparitively short period, between 1947-1950. Cherilea was to take them over in 1950. The figures are somewhat larger and "fuller" than Britains - at approximately 60mm size. The horses are particularly nicely made - and a pleasure to paint

They were originally painted by Fylde as Household Cavalry Troopers, but when I took off what was left of their original paint ( not a lot left!) - found that there was no Curiasse on the casting at all - these armoured plates had just been painted over the tunic jacket. Now, I have a number of Household cavalry already in my collection, and I felt that they would probably look better as Dragoon Guards ( which I hadn't ANY of!).

Decision made - they would become Troopers of 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales) - and 6th (Carabiniers) Dragoon Guards respectively. [5th wear Red tunics and 6th wear Blue].

Some repairs to rear horse legs were made - as neither could stand up when found. Some slight additions and modifications were made - by adding a scabbarded carbine to the right side of each horse - and also a cartridge box to the Chest strap at the back of each figure. Sword slings attached to each sword scabbard - made from milliput - rolled and cut to shape. One sword was also made from a flattened piece of paper-clip - to match the other figure which already had this modification added by a previous owner. I thought this was a nice original repair - and was pleasantly surprised at how good they looked when finished.

Here's some pics of them, as they turned out:






Here's a frontal pic - which shows nicely the full figure of each piece. Note the strap between each horse's front legs attched to the chest strap and girth. They also weren't on the original figures, so I added them - made with milliput



And here's a rear view - which shows sword slings and cartridge box on cross-strap.




Lastly - here's a couple of splendid illustrations that I found on the internet - which helped me get a few details correct.

5th Dragoon Guards.



6th Dragoon Guards.

 

[Ivanhoe]

I completed these two Dragoon Guard troopers earlier - and must admit I was quite pleased with them - so decided to show them on their own.

jb;

You should be happy with how they turned out...they look like they were just completed and ready for their box and a toy soldier shop shelf.
Amazing !
Thank you for posting.