My Tribe - Johnnybach (1 Viewer)

johnnybach

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I thought that it was about time that my tribe of Injuns got together in one place - rather than be scattered around in different threads. Most of my tribe are "repaired" hollowcasts - though some were bought from a variety of sources as castings too.

My tribe continues to grow nicely - though here they are - shown mostly by original manufacturer below. I'm starting with my mounted figures.

First up - my favourite Britains pose: All five were originally similarly posed figures - with one of them having the old dated base (front left was originally made in 1908 - so over 100 years old). Note in some cases - repairs have included conversions - as most had the original weapon arm broken or missing. Parts can be found for replacement from a variety of sources - though things like spears are made from brass rod. The simple addition of a knife to a belt makes figures more unique.



More Britains figures below - These are "the Greens". Some find their way to me as job-lots, hence the duplicated figures - though I have changed the weapons for the identical figures below. Horse tails and legs are a commonly found breakage - and are easy to find as spares to replace - as in these figures. Legs can be made from a wire armature and built up with putty - but spare legs are a more convenient method for repars.



Three Crescent figures below. Mostly found more or less intact though the Rocking Horse at the rear had both rear legs broken off. Note that I nearly always give each figure a new base - as horse legs and tails are again prone to damage from just being played with over time. A new base gives better protection for their future well-being. All hollowcasts - so far.




My first solid casts from Irregular Miniatures - this time - three figures from this UK supplier.



A nice little solid cast group here, made up from three castings from Tommy Atkins braves at the rear - and a Travois holding furs in the foreground from Whitetower Miniatures. This last figure was a gift from the owner Matthew - and doesn't appear in his catalogue. (he will supply - if asked though).



My last little group of three figures are from Timpo. All are hollowcast - with the exception of the central horse - which is a solid recast. These figures were all originally dismountable - but I usually pin and glue figures to rearing horses for stability. As they frequently get separated from their original horses during their lives - it's good that most will fit on any of the Timpo mounts - so can be re-united where necessary.



Well - that's the beginnings of my Tribe - and shows all of my mounted figures found, repaired where necessary, and repainted so far. I'll continue with my more numerous dismounted figures next time. jb
 
Very colourful and very nicely painted JB! I look forward to seeing the others you have as well. {bravo}}

Jeff
 
Nice collection JB, very well done in the "Traditional style". Just be careful in the US what you call your tribe {sm2} or Chief Runamok will demand that you sell your tribe for being politically incorrect and insensitive!:p
Ray
 
Nice collection JB, very well done in the "Traditional style". Just be careful in the US what you call your tribe {sm2} or Chief Runamok will demand that you sell your tribe for being politically incorrect and insensitive!:p
Ray


Yo dude - I get where you're coming from. I, of course, mean no disrespect to the Native Indigenous people of North America - it's just that when I was a kid in South Wales - our Saturday mornings were spent in the local Cinema - where for three-pence - we kids could go in to see "Cowboys and Injuns" slugging it out every week. And they've been Injuns for me - ever since. It's also a mercifully shorter word than the other term - and ""my tribe" - just means that the collection that I've put together, (some almost literally), now belongs to me!

I understood that the original name of "Indians", was given to the people who inhabited the place - by Christopher Columbus - when he "discovered" America - which he thought at first was India, which he was searching for a new passage to.


Sorry 'bout that - no offence meant, I assure you. From everything I've read, they were some of the finest Light Cavalry ever. jb

Glad all contributors seem to like my painted miniature figures of Native Indigenous People of North America, in the old days - so far. :Djb
 
JB certainly didn't offend me, but the NSA is monitoring ALL internet traffic keeping us safe from those who would undermine the "Republic" with words like injun, wouldn't want to force the hand of Washington to crack down hard on you.... Say with twitter or Facebook
 
JB certainly didn't offend me, but the NSA is monitoring ALL internet traffic keeping us safe from those who would undermine the "Republic" with words like injun, wouldn't want to force the hand of Washington to crack down hard on you.... Say with twitter or Facebook

As a UK citizen - and a "Taff" - I hadn't realised that what I have always called these warriors - was now a bad word. I thought what was good enough for Tom Mix et al - was good enough for me. It appears that times change!

I must also admit that I don't know what the NSA actually is - or what they do - but will take your advice.

I'll just show the rest of my warriors - as promised - then that, as they say, will be that from me on this subject. jb
 
Puh-leeze! As the line currently goes, under pressure to change their name to something less offensive, the Washington Redskins have decided to drop "Washington" from their name.

As I said before, John, heap good!

Prost!
Brad
 
Puh-leeze! As the line currently goes, under pressure to change their name to something less offensive, the Washington Redskins have decided to drop "Washington" from their name.

As I said before, John, heap good!

Prost!
Brad

Ha-ha! - Okay Brad - Heap fun painting them - whatever they are now called in The land of the Free.

Here's the rest of my " Native American Warriors" - is that safe enough?:D

First pic: These were made by Britains, over many years of production - and came out in many of their sets. Easy to pick up almost anywhere - and often found damaged for pennies. The central figure was found minus his tomahawk carried in his right hand - so I gave him an old rifle instead - which came from Whitetower Miniatures in the UK. (Incidentally - ALL of my collection was made in the UK - which shows how popular these items have been here, for close to a century now).



Next up - is a pic of my Crescent finds. Another old UK manufacturer - now long out of production. All metal hollowcast figures that I've restored, over time. Back row shows three bowmen - which have had weapons fixed and bits added - like a quiver full of arrows on one of their number's back. All of the kneeling figures have bases (stands) made and added - to stop most falling over due to play-wear. This is a common problem for many restored figures - as the balance is sometimes upset by use of repair materials and additions. The two central seated figures smoking pipes ( will they be banned next???:D), are interesting variations - as one has a much fuller feathered head-dress than the other. Clearly, the figure has been re-worked at some time, as the rest of the casting is the same. VERY pleased to have found them - though they took some time to repair and paint. My "Marine Section" in their canoes were delightful ( and separate) finds - again, restored and repainted to a more detailed level than when originally found. Only one has an original paddle - I'll leave you to figure out which one!;)



My last pic, for now, shows a mixed bunch of British manufacturers - some getting quite difficult to find now, due to low production levels of many short-lived companies. From the left - the standing figures are from Reka, Johillco, Harvey, A standing Britains figure with knife - from a French Office mould ( has the giveaway word "Depose", on the stand) - and a Timpo archer - again given a new and larger stand because of playwear standing problems to the original small pod-foot stand. To the front - the crawling figures are again from Johillco. One of these was missing most of his two-feathered headress, which I repaired. Darned if I remember which one, now - so will leave you to decide which one was fixed?:D




Here's my last pic - which are all Timpo hollowcasts. The standing figure was given a spear by me, decorated by some "feathers" which I cut off other broken parts ( I call these donor figures - as they are often partial figures, which are too far gone to restore). The three crawling figures were all found separately and repaired/restored/repainted too. I've given them all new weapons.



Well that's it for my Painted Miniature Figures of Native Indigenous People of North American Origin (phew!). I'll continue to collect them - and fix them up, though I think that I'd better just do them for myself, from now on. I don't go on Twitter, or do Facebook - and don't intend to visit places that are better armed than me, in the future - so maybe all should be okay. That's it - and goodbye - jb.
 
Excellent work, John! Your attention to detail and to the toy soldier style is outstanding. I really like the decoration on the chiefs, how you gave them the beadwork or whatever decoration it would be, on their necklaces, their breeches. The canoes are beautiful pieces, too.

This should encourage everyone who's interested in painting to try his hand. You can put together an attractive and unique collection, through your own work. And old hollowcasts present a great source for raw materials.

Yes, well done!

Prost!
Brad
 
Hi John,

I want to echo Brad's comments. Your work is incredibly well done and it is impressive to view. I am very, very pleased you chose to share your work and your "First Americans" collection with us.

By the way, I am privileged to have some Native American friends. Though I cannot speak for all Native Americans, my friends seem comfortable and accepting of terms referencing them such as "Native People," "First Americans," and "Native Americans." However, they experience terms such as "Injuns," and "Redskins" as insulting and demeaning. Mostly, they simply want to be referenced in respectful ways and they want their history, culture, customs, and beliefs to be respected as well. The First American friends I have are a gentle, generous, and warm people. I have learned much from them and my respect for these wonderful people grows daily.

Again, thanks for sharing your wonderful, skilled, and beautiful work with us. After viewing your work, I want to expand my Western American History collection more than ever.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :)
 
Never mind the Indian issue the weird way some people link words your ''hollowcasts'' could be taken as some reference to the final solution!! of course how anyone could get offended with a final solution to the metal question is beyond me??
Mitch
 
Puh-leeze! As the line currently goes, under pressure to change their name to something less offensive, the Washington Redskins have decided to drop "Washington" from their name.

As I said before, John, heap good!

Prost!
Brad


now That's hilarious!
 
Hi John,

I want to echo Brad's comments. Your work is incredibly well done and it is impressive to view. I am very, very pleased you chose to share your work and your "First Americans" collection with us.

By the way, I am privileged to have some Native American friends. Though I cannot speak for all Native Americans, my friends seem comfortable and accepting of terms referencing them such as "Native People," "First Americans," and "Native Americans." However, they experience terms such as "Injuns," and "Redskins" as insulting and demeaning. Mostly, they simply want to be referenced in respectful ways and they want their history, culture, customs, and beliefs to be respected as well. The First American friends I have are a gentle, generous, and warm people. I have learned much from them and my respect for these wonderful people grows daily.

Again, thanks for sharing your wonderful, skilled, and beautiful work with us. After viewing your work, I want to expand my Western American History collection more than ever.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :)

Here, here!

John from Texas
 
Native Americans it is then. Problem for most of us on this side of the pond - is that there has rarely been an occasion for most of us to meet any!! I certainly never have - the streets of Cardiff rarely saw a Teppee!!! So I've been somewhat restricted in seeing any - other than those portrayed on the Silver Screen from Holywood, (presumably by American Directors and screen writers, who maybe should have known better too!).

I used to love the Westerns, when I was a kid at the "Saturday Morning Rush" - as we used to call it. Fond memories persist of hordes of Wild Native Americans surrounding Wagon Trains - and Stagecoaches - to be relieved (amid frenzied cheering by another horde of 8-10 year olds in the Cinema), - when the US Cavalry arrived to correct the situation.

I also blame Tom Mix - and the like - who never hollered "Native Americans", when a War Party arrived on the scene - but used the politically incorrect term - just as I once did.

I stand corrected - and thank Ray and Pat - for putting me right.

As to my little band - well, I don't class what I do as "work" - it's just great fun. I like nothing better than digging out a few battered specimens from Car Boot Sales (Garage Sales to others), small shows or swap-meets - E-bay - or even from dealers such as Giles Brown at Dorset Soldiers - who often do the leg-work for you. (He keeps boxes of figures in need of repairs - under the stairs at his shop^&grin). For a pound or two - and often for less, many Cowboys and Native American figures can be unearthed, in need of a sympathetic hand and a little TLC.

The results of repairs, conversions and restorations speak for themselves - and it's great that many old figures - often destined for the bin - or melting pot, can be given a new lease of life. I like the old-fashioned, colourful Glossy Toy Soldier look - and use the old "Britains Specials" as my guide when restoring them - and it pleases me that a few others seem to like 'em too.

Thanks for that. I'll maybe dig out my Cowboys next time - and show you them too.

[P.S. It's okay to use the term "cowboys", isn't it??? :D] jb
 
Native Americans it is then. Problem for most of us on this side of the pond - is that there has rarely been an occasion for most of us to meet any!! I certainly never have - the streets of Cardiff rarely saw a Teppee!!! So I've been somewhat restricted in seeing any - other than those portrayed on the Silver Screen from Holywood, (presumably by American Directors and screen writers, who maybe should have known better too!).

I used to love the Westerns, when I was a kid at the "Saturday Morning Rush" - as we used to call it. Fond memories persist of hordes of Wild Native Americans surrounding Wagon Trains - and Stagecoaches - to be relieved (amid frenzied cheering by another horde of 8-10 year olds in the Cinema), - when the US Cavalry arrived to correct the situation.

I also blame Tom Mix - and the like - who never hollered "Native Americans", when a War Party arrived on the scene - but used the politically incorrect term - just as I once did.

I stand corrected - and thank Ray and Pat - for putting me right.

As to my little band - well, I don't class what I do as "work" - it's just great fun. I like nothing better than digging out a few battered specimens from Car Boot Sales (Garage Sales to others), small shows or swap-meets - E-bay - or even from dealers such as Giles Brown at Dorset Soldiers - who often do the leg-work for you. (He keeps boxes of figures in need of repairs - under the stairs at his shop^&grin). For a pound or two - and often for less, many Cowboys and Native American figures can be unearthed, in need of a sympathetic hand and a little TLC.

The results of repairs, conversions and restorations speak for themselves - and it's great that many old figures - often destined for the bin - or melting pot, can be given a new lease of life. I like the old-fashioned, colourful Glossy Toy Soldier look - and use the old "Britains Specials" as my guide when restoring them - and it pleases me that a few others seem to like 'em too.

Thanks for that. I'll maybe dig out my Cowboys next time - and show you them too.

[P.S. It's okay to use the term "cowboys", isn't it??? :D] jb

I believe the Bovine LGBT community might have something to say about that.....:p
Ray
 
I believe the Bovine LGBT community might have something to say about that.....:p
Ray

There you go again with another abreviation (I call 'em TLA's - stands for "Three Letter Abreviations", to get my own back!). You've gone one better this time though; Go on then - I'm okay with Bovine - but what the heck is an LGBT?? jb

( I also still haven't got a clue what the NSA is/was. Something to do with Outer Space?^&confuse )
 
LGBT=Lesbian-***-Bisexual-Transgendered

This is a clip from a more innocent time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cOyZMdYMSQ

"Snow? July?!
How come you can make-um snowballs in the summertime?"
"Well, ya see, Hiawatha, it's too cold to make 'em in da winter!"
"Uh, huh, me see, snow too cold in winter..."
 

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