And here's a pic showing my latest four - with restoration begun. Also at the rear - are my existing restored Scot's Grey - and his partner with painting underway.
But it's the front four I want to focus on for now. After their bath in paint remover (Oven cleaner) - out they came as castings once more. I firstly made new stands for each figure - and then repaired the broken horse legs for each one (where required) and pinned them to the stands. Now they can all stand up once again.
My Britains Lancer Officer sitting sideways in the saddle was first to receive attention. His horse had two legs repaired (front right and rear left), by finding suitable legs from my Dorset stash - and cutting, filing and glue/pinning into place. Then that Hussar head was removed ( it was just pushed into the neck hole with a matchstick!). I used the Lancer head that came with the other incorrect figure to restore the figure to a more correct appearance - but as that head was for an "Other Rank" - I built up the feathered plume with milliput - which shows up here as white. I also restored his cap-line at the same time - again using milliput and super-glue. He just requires his sword to be attached to his gauntleted right hand to compete his repair - and re-painting can begin.
The front right figure is an interesting Britains too. My figure is dated underneath the horse as; 12. 2. 1903 - so is the 1st Kings dragoon trooper on cantering horse from a mould that is well over 100 years old. His original head was missing of course - so I found an old spare in my box - and this has been glued in place using brass rod for a more permanent repair. Again, the incorrect original head was a push-fit matchstick. All horse legs were surprisingly intact and original - but his sword scabbard was broken off and he had some holes in the horse furniture. Again, milliput and a spare scabbard was found to replace broken parts.
Jus behind my Lancer (left) is another Britains figure that was found with no head and two missing rear horse legs. This figure had been repainted as a Lancer - and the horse was standing at the halt. I've decided that he too will become a Dragoon Guard - so gave him another Dragoon head from my spares box refitted permanently yet again with brass rod and glue ( note the more drooping plume - as horse is at the halt). This time, his horse's legs were repaired with slightly bent legs - so this figure will be just a little different from the original - whose rear legs are a bit straighter. His carbine scabbard was also snapped off - so I repaired that with a pin and more milliput.
The last of my four is yet another old Britains sculpt of a trotting horse, first issued in 1893. This one is later than that - but is still good looking. His head was loose - the joint being invisible until the paint came off. His horse was missing a rear right leg - and the carbine scabbard has been repaired - but otherwise intact. He will also become a Draggon Guard - as my collection is rather light on these.
I have just a few more tiny details to finish off - but these four "newbies" are now almost ready for re-painting too. jb
