Mountain Artillery Question (1 Viewer)

[Whistlinghen]

I have finished collecting a set of Mountain Artillery (assembled from Ebay) and am in the process of repairing and repainting same. In my limited (Google)research, it would appear that they were largely a "native" Indian force rather than European, though Britains seems to have portrayed them as European. Was this an inaccuracy? I have read that the Highland troops in tropical helmets were painted with scarlet tunics for commercial reasons. I notice that Britains has just reissued the set, though it is a bit out of my budget, it is lovely. Thanks, Emily

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Emily

The first set of mountain Artillery britains produced was set number 28 which came out in 1895. The set was done with walking gunners and mules and a mounted officer in Foreign Service Dress. White Tropical helmets Dark Blue Blouse and Khaki Trousers. There were 4 mules with the dis-asembled gun and ammunition. From what I have been able to find in my reading the gun when reasebled could actually fire a small shell so this was a really interesting set with lots of action for small boys. Set 29 Types of the British Army also included this set. It was also part of the massive set 131 British Army Presentation set which had 275 pieces all told.

Around 1940 they changed the set to an Indian Army Mountain Battery (set 1903) with Indian Gunners and Officer. They were dressed in all Khaki with Tan Turbans and Green Webbing. You can use set number 1893 Indian Army Service Corps with this set as a supporting group.

In 1995 Britains re-introduced the Mountain Battery with set number 8857 the Gunners were dressed again in Foreign Service Dress and had 5 mules with ammuntion and a dis-assembled gun, only 4 gunners and a dismounted officer. The set was only available for a year.

Hope this is helpful.

Dave

 

[DocB]

...Sorry about the delay, just read this.
The Mountain Artillery, consisting of British artillerymen, were part of the RA Garrison Artillery and consisted of several batteries deployed in "Inja" and Afghanistan.
There were, in addition, several mountain Artillery batteries, armed, as their British counterparts, with the rifled screw-gun, consisting of Indian troops. I have a mountain artillery sword from one such battery.
Both are "proper" for use in India and Afghanistan.
DocB

 

[johnnybach]

Hi _Em

I liked this (early version) set too, so set about finding someone who made a low price castings version. I found one in the UK - Dorset Soldiers make one. It is a near copy of the early Britains (gun not quite right). I painted it as Royal Artillery - as described by moderator. It has six marching men (I gave two of them a right arm carrying musket at the shoulder), four mules carrying disassembled gun, with mounted Officer on horseback. The finished group looks very like the original Britains version - and is VERY reasonably priced. So if you are looking for any parts - try an e-mail to Giles in Dorset.

If you can get hold of a book by Andrew Rose on Britains Soldiers (can't remember actual title - as my book is in France - and Im in UK at the moment - but someone will know), the group is illustrated in there. That should give you an assembly/ colour guide - if you need one. Lastly, I ordered two guns - and had one assembled in front of the marching group. Lovely to play with - have fun! johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Em - me again

Had a brainwave about the book I mentioned - so looked at Amazon UK - and found it.

Its called "The Collector's all-colour guide to Toy Soldiers: A record of the world's miniature armies from 1850 to the current day." (no wonder I was struggling with title)It's by Andrew Rose in Hardback(July 1989). It has 128 pages - and get this - Amazon have 14 used copies from just £1 - what's that - under two bucks???

Has to be a bargain - and is most useful especially if you want to see what a lot of original Britains, Crescent, Timpo etc etc look like. I wouldn't be without it - as I try for a realistc "Best Britains" look, with castings.

Hope this helps - johnnybach

 

[DMNamiot]

Thats an amazing price! Will have to take a look and see if I can swing one if the shipping isnt going to be killer.

Thanks for the tip

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

If the book is going to Germany - then it should be the same as to France - so will be around £3.50 - okay, three times the cost of cheapest second-hand book - but still a cheap total for an excellent book - just hope all the cheapest ones haven't gone - good luck. johnnybach

 

[ozziep9]

Britains Mt. Artillery set#28 Wm. Hocker set#28

Britains Mountain Artillery set#28 is a great set esp. after it was remodeled in 1920 (see any James Opie book on Britains Toy Soldiers). Regarding the scarce Britains Indian Army Mountain Battery, in full dress or khaki set#2013, this set was only produced after WW2 by Britains for a year or two.
Wm. Hocker (wmhocker.com) set#28 Peshawar Mountain Battery has the closest look to the old Britains Indian Army Battery in full dress.

I'll be posting pictures of two full batteries (8 - 12 guns) of Britains & Wm. Hocker Mountain Artillery (both British & Indian Army figures) sets by next month on wmhocker.com / Dispatches
-Alexander Jordan

P.S. For further detail info. & pics on Britains set#28 Mountain Artillery & set#2013 Indian Army Mountain Battery look at the Great Book of Britains by James Opie, pages 193, 385, 386 & 411. (someday, hopefully, they'll reprint this great book at an affordable price)