Purchasing "job-Lots" (1 Viewer)

[DMNamiot]

Those are all very interesting! I especially like the mystery figure especially since Mr Joplin was stumped.

Looking forward to the end product

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Those are all very interesting! I especially like the mystery figure especially since Mr Joplin was stumped.

Looking forward to the end product

Dave

Paint drying as I write Dave.

Here's something that might grab your interest in the meantime though. Bromhead and I have been comparing notes on what we both do. We both appear to like similar things - and especially the repair, converting, painting side of the hobby. He's been sending me some darned good pics of some of the things he does - and as I have learned how to re-size pics to fit the Forum - he has given me permission to post some pics on his behalf.

I liked this pair of pics especially - so will post them for all to see. It's a mixed "Square" of restored Soldiers by my good friend Bromhead.



Nice eh? [posted on behalf of Bromhead] jb

 

[theBaron]

That pic reminds me of some of the displays in the old Forbes collection, John. I'm thinking of the article that appeared in Smithsonian back in the Seventies-when I first learned of the collection. Later the Johnsons, the curators, published a book on toy soldiers, featuring the collection. I remember one display in particular, of a Scots regiment arrayed in a square around a boulder (ie, a large rock from the garden), as their officers perched on top, reconnoitering with their field glasses.

It's a great display of classic toy soldiers! It looks like he's ready to break out "Little Wars" and have a game.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

That pic reminds me of some of the displays in the old Forbes collection, John. I'm thinking of the article that appeared in Smithsonian back in the Seventies-when I first learned of the collection. Later the Johnsons, the curators, published a book on toy soldiers, featuring the collection. I remember one display in particular, of a Scots regiment arrayed in a square around a boulder (ie, a large rock from the garden), as their officers perched on top, reconnoitering with their field glasses.

It's a great display of classic toy soldiers! It looks like he's ready to break out "Little Wars" and have a game.

Prost!
Brad

Agreed Brad - it is a great display. Joe tells me that they are mostly restored and all repainted by him, over the years - and mostly (if not all) old hollowcast Britains. A real labour of love, I think. As a restorer myself, I can imagine the hundreds of hours put into that display.

And yes, very reminiscent of the old (and HUGE) Forbes collection - that once existed. All of these are right up my Street - and I think maybe yours too Brad.

A big well done to Joe (bromhead), for this display. I just love 'em.


Hope you both might also enjoy these two Sailors - that I've been keeping up my sleeve from this lot.

On the left is a rather Victorian looking sailor in a "Sennett Hat". He's pre-WW2 and dates from c. 1920-1940. Apparently there is a similar Britains figure with hands away from the body - so I'll be on the lookout for the future for that one. This one arrived with no base ( which originally was hexagonal), no feet and only half of his left leg. At least he now stands up again! - no wonder he's smiling.

My second sailor was originally a Crescent figure - but again was snapped off his base - and was also missing his original head. I fabricated a base and gave him some feet - peeping out from his bell-bottomed pants - and alsogave him a lookalike head from Dorset Model spare parts. Not too bad a match, I think. I painted him as a Able Bodied sailor of WW2. I hope my Dad would have approved - as he probably looked a lot like this during some of that conflict. jb

 

[DMNamiot]

Those squares are great! I have a bunch of old hollow cast figures that are waiting for our final move to come out again mine are a mix of old britains highlanders and line infantry as well as a few Indian Army for good measure. I used a group of Arabs and dervishes as their opponents it was a fun display to sit and look at. Can’t wait to get these gents out of the boxes and back at it! Thanks for sharing them!

As for the Forbes Collection I have the book on it and just love looking at all the amazing figures that made up that collection. Wish I had deeper pockets so I could try and match that one. Oh well back to reality. Thanks again for sharing

Dave

 

[BHogan]

Paint drying as I write Dave.

Here's something that might grab your interest in the meantime though. Bromhead and I have been comparing notes on what we both do. We both appear to like similar things - and especially the repair, converting, painting side of the hobby. He's been sending me some darned good pics of some of the things he does - and as I have learned how to re-size pics to fit the Forum - he has given me permission to post some pics on his behalf.

I liked this pair of pics especially - so will post them for all to see. It's a mixed "Square" of restored Soldiers by my good friend Bromhead.

Nice eh? [posted on behalf of Bromhead] jb

Wonderful collection! Thanks for sharing the fruits of your labour with us. They look great restored and brought back to life.

Brendan

 

[johnnybach]

Some more of the Khaki Army restorations.

First pic shows six army figures.

From left to right they are (originally) by JoHillco - throwing grenade. Quite a good throwing pose - but no webbing or equipment. This figure was another one requiring a new base and feet and also a new head.

Unknown - standing firing. Smallish size, no puttees or gaiters. Just the end of the rifle needed adding.

JoHillco - standing firing - New part of lower legs and feet with base added.

JoHillco Advancing with bayonet fixed - nice figure - explained earlier that head, feet and base required

Britains - Scots bayonet charging. Agani, just the end of the rifle with bayonet needed adding as was missing when found. I painted in his kilt as Black Watch tartan, even though these are most frequently found with kilt and sporran painted khaki.

Crescent - Royal Signals Lineman. I painted this figure as the guy who usually stands up flapping his arms about in a movie, and shouts "Come on lads - let's get 'em" - and promptly gets shot! He should have a coil of wire across his shoulders and back ( as originally), but I have yet to find one to restore him back to as produced. In the meantime - he's the guy who will get shot first.

The next pics show me having some playtime. jb

 

[theBaron]

Great renovations! Your glazing technique really looks great on these figures, too.

The unknown figure is also hollowcast? I'll have to look through my references, too, and see if he looks like anything depicted in them.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Great renovations! Your glazing technique really looks great on these figures, too.

The unknown figure is also hollowcast? I'll have to look through my references, too, and see if he looks like anything depicted in them.

Prost!
Brad

Yup - all these are hollowcast. The mystery figure also had the usual breather hole on top of the helmet - but I usually fill them in with a drop of glue - and then milliput - which is all filed back when dry, before painting. jb

 

[theBaron]

With such a small, narrow base, I can see how he lost the tip of his rifle. I'll see if I find any pictures that might help ID him.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

With such a small, narrow base, I can see how he lost the tip of his rifle. I'll see if I find any pictures that might help ID him.

Prost!
Brad

Yes - silly base - but at least I kept him authentic. If he does give me problems, I will re-base him. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Nice little lot arrived today - A few more Britains Hunters.

I've added in my already restored Male Hunter - to contrast with the state of my (already started) repairs on a similar figure that arrived with this lot. Note also the Female Hunter sitting side-saddle who has appeared to have lost her head! There are also 5 more dogs to add to my existing two, several of who need some new legs and a bit of straightening out in places.

The most badly damaged figure is obviously the male hunter. I started repairs immediately on him - as the horse was in danger of losing his rear half. He had also been compressed at the rear end - so I pushed in various small tools to "push him out" as far as was possible. Then it's just building up the surface once again using epoxy putty (I use Milliput) to re-shape him. This is where having another example comes in very handy, to use as a guide.

Clean off comes next - and then I can commence repairs and spares. jb

 

[theBaron]

A little 54mm equine proctology, to fix that horse, eh?

You're building up quite a pack of hounds, too! I've got some solid-cast copies of the Britain's foxhounds, from a guy down in Florida who sells on eBay. One is in an upright seated pose. They work well with my 18th-century subjects, too.

I can hardly wait to see how these figures turn out!

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

A little 54mm equine proctology, to fix that horse, eh?

You're building up quite a pack of hounds, too! I've got some solid-cast copies of the Britain's foxhounds, from a guy down in Florida who sells on eBay. One is in an upright seated pose. They work well with my 18th-century subjects, too.

I can hardly wait to see how these figures turn out!

Ahem!! - well...... err... yes Brad, - But it was better than looking a gift

Prost!
Brad

Ahem!......well...........err.......yes Brad, I suppose it was - but better than looking a gift horse in the mouth!

He's looking a bit taller now though.

#


I just happened to have the right sized horse legs in my stash for him. but....my female rider, riding side-saddle was the one that really attracted my attention, as I didn't have that figure from Britains Hunt collection. However, I unfortunately don't have a head for her yet. I'm compiling a list right now, of parts required for various projects - and I'll get a couple of heads for her shortly. (one to use - one for the stash).

The hounds are just too cute for words. My first two were really great fun to restore - and I'm equally looking forward to these - which are mostly different poses. After I got the grunge and several coats of paint off them - I found that one has head down with his tongue out! Great!

I'm always keeping half an eye out for any more of these - but they are very popular - so competition for them is usually keen. These, however, didn't sell at first - so I contacted the seller and explained how tricky they were to restore - and we did a deal. Win-win.

Glad you like 'em too Brad - jb

 

[johnnybach]

See what I mean about cute?

I show the process of repairing three running dogs. It was a bit difficult for them to run - as they had no lower back legs when found. Out with my trusty pack of paper-clips - cutter - pin-vice etc.,

First job is to cut back any stumps to the back knee joint. This gives just enough metal to drill a hole with pin-vice into the joint, at the angle required . Bend the pin so that it will pass into the bespoke stand (base) which was fabricated beforehand. Make both legs the same - and then drill and pin the stand/leg and cement in with glue (epoxy).

You can see in my pic attached - one dog as found - one with bent pins inserted into drilled legs - and one now glued into it's stand. Note that only the back legs are pinned through the metal of the stand - the front legs are too fine to drill - so are just given a dab of glue under each front paw. These things are hollow - so there is little weight to support - and two pins will be more than enough to keep them fixed in place on a strong metal stand.



I'm leaving these two to set tonight - and will check 'em out in the morning.

'Nite all - jb

 

[bromhead]

Those squares are great! I have a bunch of old hollow cast figures that are waiting for our final move to come out again mine are a mix of old britains highlanders and line infantry as well as a few Indian Army for good measure. I used a group of Arabs and dervishes as their opponents it was a fun display to sit and look at. Can’t wait to get these gents out of the boxes and back at it! Thanks for sharing them!

As for the Forbes Collection I have the book on it and just love looking at all the amazing figures that made up that collection. Wish I had deeper pockets so I could try and match that one. Oh well back to reality. Thanks again for sharing

Dave

Thank you all very much,,,very gratifying to see a familiar square this way,,,,everyone is standing fast,,

 

[johnnybach]

I've had a few more pics from Joe (bromhead) - which strike a familiar chord with me.

I like what he does with these mostly unloved and definitely second-hand Guards figures.



And then he likes to restore them - and put them in a very familiar box - to look as new, all over again. Nice huh? jb

 

[bromhead]

Thank you my friend

 

[johnnybach]

Thank you my friend

You're most welcome buddy - and I'll post a few more later on. jb:salute::

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a couple more pics from Joe (bromhead).

He tells me that he has had a figure with a matchstick leg, that he just can't bring himself to restore. Hope he can fillout some more details of that one



And then there's an Indian Mountain Gun - that is a "Bitsa" being made up of various parts - as are the gunners - who have cast metal heads made by Joe. Again, a few more details would be good Joe. jb