Purchasing "job-Lots" (2 Viewers)

[johnnybach]

As my originally posted thread seems to have vanished - let's try again.

Below see my recent e-bay "Job-Lots" of varied mounted and/or horses. I like to bid on such lots - as they give the winner a varied number of (mostly) damaged figures, which can be repaired and/or restored - either back to how they were when new - or even converted to something different.

There's also the excitement of receiving and opening up the package - to see precisely, just what you have. The pictures and write up of the lot, are frequently imprecise - and once the items are "cleaned up" - they often reveal the true nature and origins of the various pieces.

Here's a pic of my latest 5 lots ( all from the same seller - who broke up the 28 figures into smaller lots - but I was successful in buying all 28).




I'm currently cleaning off the old paint and grunge - which often exposes manufacturer details - and then repairing any damage found. So instead of attempting identification right now - I'll try and identify each figure as it has been repaired ( and befor any painting has been undertaken). I've made a good start - so will post more pics later. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here are my first batch of repairs that I chose from this batch. As you can see - they are all of the riderless mounts that I'll be using as Cowboy mounts in future projects. The two at left are by Timpo - centre is a heavy homecast (pure lead) - and the right two are by Benbros. Repairs to legs and hooves involved pins to the new stands - and then coverage in millput. Once fully dry - repairs will be sanded back and painted - the repairs will then vanish!



Next up are three prancing cavalry. On the left is a Britains Household cavalry Officer. This one required a new tail for horse - and sword arm replaced for the Officer - plus a bit of straightening of horse legs ( after warming the figure). The other two are by Benbros again.

One horse was missing both front lower legs - and the other figure two rear lower legs plus stand. I used spare parts from Dorset for the two front legs - cut to fit and pinned. Note that I didn't try to slavishly copy the other figures two front legs, but tried for a bit more variation from the standard figure, by altering the "kick" of the new parts. The other figure had the stumps of the rear legs pinned to a newly fabricated stand, and then new lower legs and hooves were sculpted in milliput. Again, when fully dry - I will sand these to a finer finish before painting. Arms with swords haven't been fitted yet BTW- as hussar tunics are easier to paint without them in place!



Last two figures so far, are two mounted knights - one by Cherilea, with sword held aloft by the blade ( good job he's wearing gauntlets), note the new front leg! - whilst the other is another "Unknown" maker - but looks very similar stylistically to some Timpo knights. ( He's also unknown by Norman Joplin - I looked him up). He originally carried a snapped off sword in his raised hand - so I removed what was left and gave him a mace by drilling a hole in the raised hand - and glueing a mace from my spares box in it's place. I didn't give him another sword - as he didn't have a scabbard anyway!

I have a plan for him - as I have been looking for an opportunity to make up a "local" knight - Sir Walter (1st Baron) Hungerford (1378-1449), whose home at Farleigh Castle I recently visited - to find to my surprise that he fought at Agincourt! He will be in Agincourt thread in due course!



So........that's my first ten repaired - 18 more to go. jb

 

[nmrocks]

Here are my first batch of repairs that I chose from this batch. As you can see - they are all of the riderless mounts that I'll be using as Cowboy mounts in future projects. The two at left are by Timpo - centre is a heavy homecast (pure lead) - and the right two are by Benbros. Repairs to legs and hooves involved pins to the new stands - and then coverage in millput. Once fully dry - repairs will be sanded back and painted - the repairs will then vanish!



Next up are three prancing cavalry. On the left is a Britains Household cavalry Officer. This one required a new tail for horse - and sword arm replaced for the Officer - plus a bit of straightening of horse legs ( after warming the figure). The other two are by Benbros again.

One horse was missing both front lower legs - and the other figure two rear lower legs plus stand. I used spare parts from Dorset for the two front legs - cut to fit and pinned. Note that I didn't try to slavishly copy the other figures two front legs, but tried for a bit more variation from the standard figure, by altering the "kick" of the new parts. The other figure had the stumps of the rear legs pinned to a newly fabricated stand, and then new lower legs and hooves were sculpted in milliput. Again, when fully dry - I will sand these to a finer finish before painting. Arms with swords haven't been fitted yet BTW- as hussar tunics are easier to paint without them in place!



Last two figures so far, are two mounted knights - one by Cherilea, with sword held aloft by the blade ( good job he's wearing gauntlets), note the new front leg! - whilst the other is another "Unknown" maker - but looks very similar stylistically to some Timpo knights. ( He's also unknown by Norman Joplin - I looked him up). He originally carried a snapped off sword in his raised hand - so I removed what was left and gave him a mace by drilling a hole in the raised hand - and glueing a mace from my spares box in it's place. I didn't give him another sword - as he didn't have a scabbard anyway!

I have a plan for him - as I have been looking for an opportunity to make up a "local" knight - Sir Walter (1st Baron) Hungerford (1378-1449), whose home at Farleigh Castle I recently visited - to find to my surprise that he fought at Agincourt! He will be in Agincourt thread in due course!



So........that's my first ten repaired - 18 more to go. jb

Always an amazing transformation JB!
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

Always an amazing transformation JB!
Ray

Thanks Ray - and yes, I always marvel at how much better they look, with all of the old flaky and chipped paint and grunge off them. It's almost magical. Then, once they have been repaired and mounted on a new tailor-made stand - they look so much better again.

I got a bit bored with cleaning and fettling today - so picked up a brush again - to start-off Baron Sire Walter Hungerford's new paint job - so come back in a day or two - when I may get him finished. jb

 

[theBaron]

Hi, John, please refresh my memory about your bases. How do you make them, again?

Thanks in advance, prosit!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Hi, John, please refresh my memory about your bases. How do you make them, again?

Thanks in advance, prosit!
Brad

Hi Brad. No problem - I buy off-cuts of light alloy metal sheet from a local Engineering Company. They repair expensive cars, (such as Aston Martins) among other things. The bits and pieces they have left over, they sell off - and the smaller the pieces are - the cheaper they get.

I buy bits typically for between £1 and £3 - and they can be cut up into dozens of TS bases with a hacksaw - and then the edges filed down with just standard hand tools. As my Great-grandfather was a Blacksmith - I seem to have inherited the necessary genes to be able to manage it, anyway!

They can be drilled with a pin-vice to accept steel pins - and epoxy glue works fine too - as you have seen with this latest batch.

just find a local firm that repairs sports cars - and ask. That's what I did - and...................the rest is history.

good luck - jb

 

[theBaron]

Ah, thanks! So those are pieces of metal harder than tin or white-metal alloys?

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Ah, thanks! So those are pieces of metal harder than tin or white-metal alloys?

Prost!
Brad

Tricky question Brad. I've found that some castings are harder than others - depending on the mix that manufacturers use - (i.e more tin = harder to drill.).

I think, that on balance, the metal used to fix up cars with lightweight metal bodies HAVE to be some mix including aluminium - so I guess that's what I'm buying as offcuts. It's sold by weight - so the thicker the sheeting - the more it costs me for the same surface area.

It DOES take a little longer to drill into than the normal lead/tin used for most castings - but it is very easy to work with the same tools ( i.e pin-vice/drill bits - and hacksaw for cutting - and standard files etc,). The thinner the sheet is, of course, the quicker it cuts and files up to shape. One mm is a bit too thin - but 1.5mm or 2mm are best - at least for horses. I'm using a piece for this lot that is 2mm - you can see it in my pics. I haven't used any power tools at all to cut, shape or drill - and it is really easy to work with.

I usually plonk my horse onto a piece of paper - and mark where the hooves stand. next, I draw around this for the shape of the stand I want to create. I then cut out the stand - and file edges to the shape I want. After fixing up any horse legs required - I drill and pin the legs I want to fix - usually at least three points ( unless the figure is tiny).

Next, I place the horse on the new stand - adjusting where necessary until it looks okay - at which point I mark where the pins are touching the stand ( pressing down lightly usually leaves a tiny mark on the stand. Then I drill through with my pin-vice - usually checking things out again for each hole.

Once all pins are showing through - I then epoxy resin glue each pinned hoof into the hole - and leave to set. Once set solid - I file off any the pins left proud on underside of the stand - until perfectly flat.

What you then have is a protective, strong, light base that your figure is glued to forever. Modern makers seem to have adopted similar ideas when it comes to (really expensive) mounted figures these days - and you will rarely see such figures without a strong stand now.

I recommend my method - as it usually costs me pennies for each one.

That's it - simples!{sm4} jb

 

[theBaron]

Thanks for the clarification! I wondered if those were blanks from sheets of harder metal, like steel.

I've been using a sheet of copper roof flashing for bases, and also salvaged bits of sheet tin. With a pair of tin snips (aviation shears), I can cut the material as necessary. I've always liked the look of your bases, though. They're a little more substantial than the plain tin bases, such as Stadden and Lasset used, and I think they're a little more pleasing, visually, as a result.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Thanks for the clarification! I wondered if those were blanks from sheets of harder metal, like steel.

I've been using a sheet of copper roof flashing for bases, and also salvaged bits of sheet tin. With a pair of tin snips (aviation shears), I can cut the material as necessary. I've always liked the look of your bases, though. They're a little more substantial than the plain tin bases, such as Stadden and Lasset used, and I think they're a little more pleasing, visually, as a result.

Prost!
Brad

They are a little more substantial than the thin ones you mention Brad - so don't suffer from buckling. It was a bit of an experiment about twenty years or so ago, when I started making them up this way - and I wasn't certain then, whether or not I'd get a chemical reaction between different metal mixes. Happily, none of them - even the early ones have shown any symptoms like that - and none have ever come off! Come to that, I've never suffered any more damage to any of my figures either since they were given stands - so............in conclusion .............they work! - and not a soldering iron to be seen. jb

 

[johnnybach]

I was just cutting a few more - and I had the idea to show a few bits and pieces involved. see below the remains of a 2mm sheet that I cut from. Then there's my table-vice - with universal joint - to turn it at any angle I desire - holds the sheet while I cut with hacksaw - and clamps each newly cut stand - for filing later.. Steel rule for measuring - and a few handy tools scattered about ( I'm a messy kind of worker!). Does that help clarify how it's done?

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a pic of some of those just-cut stands again from the previous pic, now filed to shape. Two have been fitted to the base of two Scots Greys. the smaller figure is a 50mm Crescent - whilst the larger one is by Reka - and is an Officer. He wasn't originally a Scots Grey however, as when stripping him back for repair, i found that his head had been grafted onto the neck with a matchstick, and clearly wasn't original. I decide to keep him as a Scots Grey however, and did a more permanent repair with some brass rod for his neck. Note also his previously soldered front hooves - which I'm tidying up a bit. Both of these previous repairs are part of his history - so I'll keep him that way - but hopefully, with a better paint job.

the other figures are also by Reka - and I'm continuing with a few repairs before mounting each onto a new stand. You may be able to make out the repaired parts ( usually shinier than the rest of the figures - but note also the added lower leg of one in black ( he also has a Dorset spare head - he forgot to bring his original one). This is a recycled piece which came along in a bagful of bits and pieces from yet another "job-lot". You never know when such parts will come in handy!

 

[johnnybach]

Every now and then, whilst repairing some TS - in need of a little TLC - there can be one or two who stand out a little from the rest, or maybe just interest you more. It happened this time - and one figure in particular kept nagging at me to do a little bit more.

Or maybe, i just couldn't wait. Either way - the one I got interested in most, was paradoxically, the one I knew least about - and still don't.

He was an incomplete figure of a Mounted Knight holding aloft what was left of a sword. Try as I might, I could not find out who made him. He is hollowcast - and has a strong stylistic feel of one of the old british makers - but even Norman Joplin couldn't supply his maker either - as he is in his big book under "Unidentified".

Nevertheless, as soon as I saw him - I knew whom he was going to become. You see, I visited one of his former homes with my Grandson Charlie, just before Xmas last - and was both delighted and surprised to find out that Baron Sir Walter Hungerford KG, fought alongside Henry V at Agincourt. We came away from Farleigh Hungerford Castle (now part ruin), with a load of information about this interesting man - and with me determined to make him up for my Agincourt Collection of knights, one day - and a sketch of his coat of Arms accompanied me, drawn from a family tomb still at the Castle.

I need not have bothered - as I found this gorgeous Garter Stall Plate illustration in Windsor Castle, on the Internet later, which shows his shield and other details of interest.




To cut to the chase - here below is my repaired ( and converted) figure, so far - now changed to Sir Walter.






My repairs included a new rear left leg for the horse - as the figure couldn't originally stand up. (look back to first pic - to see how he was). The rider was only wielding half of his sword (top half missing in action), and he didn't have a scabbard for it anyway. I cut what was left of the sword away - and drilled into his raised hand - to then give him a mace from my spares box instead. I also gave him a new scabbarded sword and dagger for a new belt - and slung him a new shield across his back (Dorset spare parts). A new stand completed his repair/conversion - and I then painted him to show his correct Coat of Arms. Part of his blazon description also mentions a sheaf of corn as an ornament for his helm - so the existing plume on this figure was painted to perhaps suggest this. jb

It was nice to be able to get back to painting for a while - although repairs continued on some of my others, between coats of paint.

 

[nmrocks]

Every now and then, whilst repairing some TS - in need of a little TLC - there can be one or two who stand out a little from the rest, or maybe just interest you more. It happened this time - and one figure in particular kept nagging at me to do a little bit more.

Or maybe, i just couldn't wait. Either way - the one I got interested in most, was paradoxically, the one I knew least about - and still don't.

He was an incomplete figure of a Mounted Knight holding aloft what was left of a sword. Try as I might, I could not find out who made him. He is hollowcast - and has a strong stylistic feel of one of the old british makers - but even Norman Joplin couldn't supply his maker either - as he is in his big book under "Unidentified".

Nevertheless, as soon as I saw him - I knew whom he was going to become. You see, I visited one of his former homes with my Grandson Charlie, just before Xmas last - and was both delighted and surprised to find out that Baron Sir Walter Hungerford KG, fought alongside Henry V at Agincourt. We came away from Farleigh Hungerford Castle (now part ruin), with a load of information about this interesting man - and with me determined to make him up for my Agincourt Collection of knights, one day - and a sketch of his coat of Arms accompanied me, drawn from a family tomb still at the Castle.

I need not have bothered - as I found this gorgeous Garter Stall Plate illustration in Windsor Castle, on the Internet later, which shows his shield and other details of interest.




To cut to the chase - here below is my repaired ( and converted) figure, so far - now changed to Sir Walter.






My repairs included a new rear left leg for the horse - as the figure couldn't originally stand up. (look back to first pic - to see how he was). The rider was only wielding half of his sword (top half missing in action), and he didn't have a scabbard for it anyway. I cut what was left of the sword away - and drilled into his raised hand - to then give him a mace from my spares box instead. I also gave him a new scabbarded sword and dagger for a new belt - and slung him a new shield across his back (Dorset spare parts). A new stand completed his repair/conversion - and I then painted him to show his correct Coat of Arms. Part of his blazon description also mentions a sheaf of corn as an ornament for his helm - so the existing plume on this figure was painted to perhaps suggest this. jb

It was nice to be able to get back to painting for a while - although repairs continued on some of my others, between coats of paint.

Great Job JB, love your knight WORK! it's great when you connect the dots to real life persons.
Ray

 

[theBaron]

I think your painting style has evolved, John. I notice that you're outlining and it looks like there's some shading on his plume, emphasizing the molded contours. It's pretty cool.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Great Job JB, love your knight WORK! it's great when you connect the dots to real life persons.
Ray

Thanks Ray - I like doing that too - and when they come in at this price - I also love that kind of result. ^&grin I've also saved yet another casualty from the bin - so that's very pleasing as well.

This guy Walt, was SO local - I don't know how I could have missed him before now. His home (Farleigh Hungerford Castle), is literally 15 minutes by car from our UK home.

He was actually so well thought of in his time - he was one of the executors to Henry V's will, after his death. But for me, the knowledge that he fought at Agincourt - "Upon Saint Crispin's Day", was the clincher. - I "worked through" my damaged figure's restoration to the end - to reproduce him. And for a damaged, simple one-pieced casting of unkown origin - he didn't turn out so badly at all!

I must have seen the film version of Henry V a dozen times or maybe more - and that rousing speech by Sir Laurence Olivier gets to me every time. No wonder I don't consider making them up as "work". Just great fun - and I'm so glad you like him too.

cheers buddy - jb:salute::

 

[johnnybach]

I think your painting style has evolved, John. I notice that you're outlining and it looks like there's some shading on his plume, emphasizing the molded contours. It's pretty cool.

Prost!
Brad

Cheers Brad - you don't miss much, do you? I have to strive to keep them in the simple Glossy Toy Soldier style that I like best - but do occasionally stray. there's always a temptation to overdo it - but I hope I stay reasonably close to the style i like best.

I really aim to keep them in the "Courtenay - Ping" type of styles - as if I was REALLY wealthy ( and I mean REALLY....) - I would love to collect some of those figures.

This particular one was really a bit of an experiment - as what I began with was not only damaged - but also unidentifiable. Food for thought however, that such a figure CAN be turned into something quite nice in the end, with just a little bit of TLC and a splash or two of paint!

Glad you like him too Brad. jb

 

[theBaron]

I've had a similar idea about my painting style, ever since I first saw John Firth's work here in the forum. I do attempt some shading, especially with the better-detailed castings, but I also have an idea about using very thin glazes to get that kind of effect as you have on the plume. I might even try tinting my acrylic sealer (ie, Johnson's Future) to help enhance relief on a figure.

One more advantage to this forum--we can swap techniques and ideas so easily!

I look forward to your next installment in this thread, John!

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

I've had a similar idea about my painting style, ever since I first saw John Firth's work here in the forum. I do attempt some shading, especially with the better-detailed castings, but I also have an idea about using very thin glazes to get that kind of effect as you have on the plume. I might even try tinting my acrylic sealer (ie, Johnson's Future) to help enhance relief on a figure.

One more advantage to this forum--we can swap techniques and ideas so easily!

I look forward to your next installment in this thread, John!

Prost!
Brad

I agree Brad - I don't think we ever keep still with our respective styles. I'm always striving to do a better job - just for my own satisfaction. And yes - John Firth is an example to us all - I think he's great too.

One of the best presents I ever had though, is the book, "Heraldic Miniature Knights", (1991) by Peter Greenhill ( who is no mean artist himself). This REALLY opened my eyes to Courtney, Ping, Selwyn-Smith et al., and sent me down the medieval path with a vengance. I just love all of their their work. which is STILL Toy Soldier enough to satisfy - even with the technological improvements made by TS manufacturers today - which in some cases - just sometimes, tend to overdo things ( at least, for me). I guess we're talking the difference between TOY soldiers and Miniature models here, Brad.

Such improvements are of course, reflected in the prices which are charged nowadays for mounted figures - which in some cases are really eye-watering!

Whilst I'm still able - I'll continue to prefer to find my own castings - and get all the enjoyment of researching the subject matter - finding the castings or parts I want, and/or fixing them up - and finally painting them JUST how I like doing them.

Keep up the good work Brad - and thanks for looking freund. :salute:: jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here's another pic - showing the three Reka figures, now mounted on the new stands that I made for them. I've also included Sir Walter - which gives an indication of what the stands will look like when painted.

You may also be able to see the repairs to the Reka figures. Next to Walt is an Officer wearing a Colonial style helmet. The two to his right will become Dragoons. Note the difference between an original head with helmet on centre figure of the three - and a new (Dorset spares) head on the far right figure. Maybe you can also make out the horse-leg repairs (shinier metal).