Question For Expert Sculptors (1 Viewer)

[Cardigan600]

Yo Troopers, just had these photos sent to ask me about why these Chas Stadden models are different. Well its out of my league so asking the experts. Photo one & two the French Chasseur by Chas, are a lot different as you can see the Pelisse is not sculpted the same in both models plus the one on right has some tassels around his neck. Photo three is a French Grenadier but as you can see the two on the right are a different size. Question being my understanding is you have the Master mould, then you make a working mould for production when one needs to be changed the make a new working mould from the Master. If this is the case how would you get two models to look so different. I know you guys will know the answer which I look forward to^&cool.
BTW the Chasseur on the left is the correct catalogue model.
Bernard.

 

[Martin Tabony]

I would have to say, the two Chasseur a Cheval da la Garde figures are different sculpts. Look at the creases in the breaches and pelise. The cuff braid is different as is the tassle of the barrel sash. Only one of them has a waist sash. Even the engraved hair of the colpack has different line. So basicaly the artist has sculpted the subject twice.
All mould making materials cause shrinkage. That is why you keep the master pattern to make new moulds. I would say that the smaller figures have been cast from a mould that was made from a casting not the master! It is possible that for some reason the master was damadged, but it is also possible that it's a pirated copy. Does it look thin, front to back? Can you see more than one set of mould lines? Was it supplied to you by someone you trust?

Martin

 

[Captkronos]

I'm not an expert sculptor, but I'd say the artist cannibalized the first model to create a slightly different second. The face looks identical, and adding the tassel around the neck is not a problem. If a guy can save himself some work, he likely will, though sometimes you do just as much work trying to avoid it in the first place.

 

[trooper]

I would think that the left hand chasseur was the first sculpt and that Charley has then improved the figure at a later date. Note the more defined lacing on the pelisse and waist sash. With regard to the grenadiers the colour of the castings indicate different grades of metal. The central figure is an original pewter figure whereas the two flanking figures look to be of a type of metal with a higher percentage of lead. It is possible that they are pirated copies but more likely from later production when Charley was no longer involved in the company and cheaper materials were used. The higher the lead content the poorer the detail and the greater the distortion. Trooper

 

[Martin Tabony]

Is it an optical illusion or is the centre figure actually the smaller figure?

Martin

 

[Cardigan600]

Yo Troopers, thanks for the input from "Corporal of Horse":wink2: and trooper. As Martin & trooper point out they are different sculpts but both from Chas who did change a few of his models probably to update some on points he missed out on in the first sculpt, but its something you rarely spot unless its so obvious unless you have the two models to compare. As trooper points out with the Grenadier the difference in metals used, the one on the left is a kit model, the centre one is Buckingham pewter on a Regimental base as I call them, why the one on the right is larger I don't know, but it should be bright like the centre model unless it was an antiqued finish which is dull. Chas working with Buckingham pewter who did all the casting for his 90mm models, I could never quite understand why they cast some IE: all the Mounted in high grade pewter and then painted them. All Chas models were issued in high grade pewter under the Buckingham pewter range as the centre Grenadier but usually not painted, but most of the painted catalogue models were of a lower grade pewter as the Grenadier on the left.

Just added two models to show what I mean between the painted model and the pewter model issued with my old regiments cap badge. Must have been a way of selling extra models unpainted in high grade pewter with the regimental motto on.
Bernard.

 

[Martin Tabony]

View attachment 65003View attachment 65004Yo Troopers, thanks for the input from "Corporal of Horse":wink2: and trooper. As Martin & trooper point out they are different sculpts but both from Chas who did change a few of his models probably to update some on points he missed out on in the first sculpt, but its something you rarely spot unless its so obvious unless you have the two models to compare. As trooper points out with the Grenadier the difference in metals used, the one on the left is a kit model, the centre one is Buckingham pewter on a Regimental base as I call them, why the one on the right is larger I don't know, but it should be bright like the centre model unless it was an antiqued finish which is dull. Chas working with Buckingham pewter who did all the casting for his 90mm models, I could never quite understand why they cast some IE: all the Mounted in high grade pewter and then painted them. All Chas models were issued in high grade pewter under the Buckingham pewter range as the centre Grenadier but usually not painted, but most of the painted catalogue models were of a lower grade pewter as the Grenadier on the left.

Just added two models to show what I mean between the painted model and the pewter model issued with my old regiments cap badge. Must have been a way of selling extra models unpainted in high grade pewter with the regimental motto on.
Bernard.

The Guards Depot PRI shop had quite a few Stadden figures for same, along with regimental plaques.
They were cast in pewter because it's a better grade of metal, even if they were going to be painted.

Martin

 

[Martin Tabony]

I meant to say perhaps the mounted figures were made in the better metal to ensure the horses legs would be strong enough.