Multiple Figure Sets (2 Viewers)

[sarge]

Well, I guess I have then.

Although most if what I've accumulated is Britains, I have more than dabbled in others to meet the goals. A friend of mine sent me my first Imperials about a year ago now (lovely things, Imperials) and recently polluted me with glossy K&C's. I'll admit opening the gates a bit have opened the purse as well, but they sure do look nice.

The problem is one of resistance, of course. It really now comes to one of choice, where I have selected a subject and all those things not in keeping with the subject are in the process of being traded off for those sets that do follow suit.

As it turns out, another source of great fun in all this...

Of course, now we might be gently drifting off into the realm of general glossy discussions rather than Britains glossies.

 

[johnnybach]

Very true - re' General Glossies - though I have never got too hung up on just one or two manufacturers. What I like - and can afford - I have - regardless of who poured the metal. I just happen to like glossies - and doing them myself - as you may have seen elsewhere in this section. This means that I can get much, much more for little bucks - which suits me down to the ground.

As I re-started late into this hobby, I have a lot of catching-up to do - to fill the spaces I want in my little collection. Castings - and painting them ARE my hobby now - so I have found my way - and it sounds as if you're finding yours too. Good luck with whichever way you choose to go chum - your parade pictures look just fine to me - well done - keep up the good work - and thanks for showing to us. johnnybach:salute::

 

[sarge]

Johnny, I think time will lead me to painting them from fresh before too long. It really is the natural order of things.

Currently, that little devil "Time" is elusive. The circumstance that foments that elusiveness is very very close to a big change as retirement beckons in six months. A great re-order of priorities will no doubt follow.

Meanwhile, I find the repainting (and odd repair) of less than minty sets quite satisfying. Here are some, a mingle between minty sets to complete restorations. I admit being quite the sucker for masses of manoeuvre comprising horse...


Overall, things look like this:

We zero in a little on these Cherry Pickers:

They were found in a bag at that wonderful American institution known as the "flea-market" for the paltry sum of $2, missing legs and tails on horses, in about the worst shape imaginable.

Certainly not up to the mark Johnny sets with his wonderful figures, but a challenge taken up to learn how to rebuild legs and tails using brass wire armatures built up with solder.

Several of the other sets are restorations only of paint, but a grand time had and a case of horse that appeals to many who visit.

You'll have to pardon my somewhat crappy photos, for the camera is old and devoid of even the most rudimentary options for control. One must make do with the equipment on hand, I'm afraid.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Very nice Brian, I have that lancer band as well. It's a nice set. Thanks for sharing more of your collection with us.

Scott

 

[Napoleon1er]

Johnny, I think time will lead me to painting them from fresh before too long. It really is the natural order of things.

Currently, that little devil "Time" is elusive. The circumstance that foments that elusiveness is very very close to a big change as retirement beckons in six months. A great re-order of priorities will no doubt follow.

Meanwhile, I find the repainting (and odd repair) of less than minty sets quite satisfying. Here are some, a mingle between minty sets to complete restorations. I admit being quite the sucker for masses of manoeuvre comprising horse...


Overall, things look like this:

We zero in a little on these Cherry Pickers:

They were found in a bag at that wonderful American institution known as the "flea-market" for the paltry sum of $2, missing legs and tails on horses, in about the worst shape imaginable.

Certainly not up to the mark Johnny sets with his wonderful figures, but a challenge taken up to learn how to rebuild legs and tails using brass wire armatures built up with solder.

Several of the other sets are restorations only of paint, but a grand time had and a case of horse that appeals to many who visit.

You'll have to pardon my somewhat crappy photos, for the camera is old and devoid of even the most rudimentary options for control. One must make do with the equipment on hand, I'm afraid.

WOW! I see what you mean by "massed displays"! Thanks so much for sharing these photos! My best find (or only find) at a flea market was my britains village idiot, for $15. Very nice,^&grin^&grin
Sandor:salute::

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Sarge - Those are really nice photo's you posted there - you are a better snapper than me (though I think most people are!!).

Seeing one of your shelves reminded me that I have one of them too:

See what I mean - slightly out of focus again! He's a 1st Dragoons Officer c.1890. He's a really cheap re-cast (not Britains - but one of the early competitors I think) - from Dorset Soldiers. I just loved that pose - so asked Giles - who rooted him out for me for around £5 (can't remember exactly!).

I agree with you though, finding broken old soldiers ( sounds a bit like me!!) and putting them back together is the MOST rewarding thing for me. Just to realise that you have saved them from the bin - is VERY satisfying.

Here's some I mended earlier:

These three cost me around 40 pence each ( £10 for a box containing 27 odds and sods actually). I knew that they were Seaforth Highlanders in Foreign Service Dress c.1880 - but originally couldn't work out who had made them. I posted the pics on the forum - and lo and behold they were identified as K&C Glossies - from - as it turned out rather a rare set. And to think - the geezer who sold them to me as a job lot, was inches away from binning the lot!!! All the weapons were snapped off and other bits missing like arm from one etcetera. Dorset Soldiers and Langley Miniatures both have "repair sections", by the way - if you need to source anything - in case you don't know. (both online)

Another from the same box of bits was this one:

Again - sorry about the fuzz - but you get the idea.

This one( on the right) I identified from a book as a Johillco hollowcast piper from c.1930. He was complete - but a right mess. The original painting was always poor on these figures - to keep the retail price down. He had been repainted - mostly red - including jacket and face by someone along his life - and in places the paint was just blobbed and pits. He had a hole in his back too - looked like an air-gun dart hole - so obviously used for target practice by some homicidal maniac at some point! (In the back too - cowardy-custard!). Anyway stripped - repaired and re-painted he's gorgeous now (if only I could photograph better you migh agree!!).

You are right about TIME though - DIY or repairs are time consuming - BUT if you are coming up to retirement - you have the PERFECT hobby waiting for you! I retired early a while ago - and now have the time to indulge in my favourite passion - painting castings - or repairing and re-painting fallen heroes - such as the above.

I'm a bit envious of your Cherry-pickers, but I WILL get around to them some time - as I know where I can get some that look a LOT like yours - but come a lot cheaper 'cos I will have the pleasure of painting them myself. Might even do a band with them - No - delete might - insert WILL.

Anyway, this is a long-winded way of saying - thanks for showing them to us - at least it beats "Nice One!"

Thanks chum, keep in touch :salute::- johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Couldn't stand those two out of focus - so had another go;

Well - that's a bit better - at least you can see what I mean now. jb%^V

 

[sarge]

Johnny, mate:

There's nothing like saving these sorts of things from the bin! Your work is certainly something to be admired.

I have a quite a few Scots Guards with SLR's here to flesh out another parade and a Naval landing party (courtesy of Napoleon1er), so there is plenty of restoration work to be done. Once they're presentable, I'll post 'em up. The Scots Guards, along with a good mingling and doubling of other Britains sets, will end up cased as a parade of Scottish regiments.

I do love a mass display; the white things in the photos are plasticard with labelling, so anyone curious enough can tell what the various uniforms are. I've found the effort to label them well worthwhile, for even the most casual visitor soon finds himself (or herself) immersed in the whole thing in spite of themselves.

Of course, that doesn't stop them from drawing the conclusion that I might be quite the lunatic!

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Sarge, I can confirm that we're all slightly batty - but I can think of worse things to be batty about! Yes, the Scottish regiments are favourites of mine - as they stayed colourful - even when the rest of the Army changed into khaki around WW1 time ( or India & Boer War if some wanna be picky!). Watch out for idiosyncrasies of dress though - as you will have a lot of "experts" out there (in the nicest sense of the word) picking up little errors. I think that's a good thing though - as we all learn from making mistakes. I made the mistake of giving my Scots Guards Ensigns the wrong cuff detail - and only noticed it after I had posted a picture. No big deal though - a splash of gold paint soon fixed it!

So you see - I'm still learning too - in fact I hope I never do stop learning - it's part of the "illness" we all suffer from - thank goodness. I have seen too many people retire - and then just fall to bits - because they don't know what to do with their spare time. With this hobby - and the forum to keep up with whilst the paint is drying - there's never a dull moment - and long may it continue.

If ever you need any help or advice - just post a request - and you will soon get some responses - mostly positive too! And if they aren't positive - just leave 'em to go away and play with someone else - that's what I do! You will soon find the helpful ones - and those to avoid or ignore!

As for "mass displays" - I'm with you there alright. I bought a book by James Opie caled "Collecting Toy Soldiers", when I started off - and one of the first things he suggested was that toy soldiers look best when there's lots of 'em. Dead Right Too! they do. Thats why I like a nice big band! Nothing better - for me, anyway.

I usually post a little paper label under each of my figures to say what they are. My daughter asked me to do it ' cos she say's that when I'm gone to the great toy maker in the sky - It'll be easier for her to get 'em on e-bay! My reply was more or less printable - but basically suggested that if I can't take 'em with me - I'm not going!!

We all had a laugh at that one.%^V