Odd Lancers. Any ideas? (1 Viewer)

[Hazebrouck]

Something of a mystery.

These two figures came in a job lot I purchased some time ago. I suspect they may be Staddens, but am not sure. They have sheet steel bases.

I am also not sure what they are meant to represent.

The labels on the underside have them as an Australian Cavalry Trooper 1914 and a New Zealand Cavalry Trooper WW1. As you can see they are holding Lances and from the heads down would appear to representative of what a British lancer would be wearing in WW1 (puttees and Small Box respirator included).

As there were no Australian or New Zealand Lancer units during the war are they a bit of a mish-mash with an Australian and New Zealand heads attached?

I think if I replaced the hats with peaked caps or Brodie helmets they would pass as British Lancers.

Any thoughts?

Scott

 

[Obee]

Scott,

thanks for showing us your new troops.

Initially they do look like Staddens with the tinplate base, but I suspect they have been converted to make some ANZAC Cavalry.
The major discrepancy in the uniform details are the puttees, because our troops wore leather leggings.
Also they appear to have a gas mask bag hanging off their chest, but that wasn't used until after 1914, but the note on the base states 1914!
Gas masks were also not used in the Middle East campaigns, where ANZAC cavalry served, they didn't go to the Western Front.

Hope that helps,
John

 

[Hazebrouck]

Thanks John,

That's what I was thinking about them as well. Stripping the paint off them may reveal if the heads have been changed.

They are quite odd though.

Regards,

Scott