Replacement spears and steel swords? (1 Viewer)

[Gribeauval]

Has anyone produced spears and sword blades to replace broken ones? With all the sets out there now, it would seem like a reasonable development in the hobby. Especially steel sword blades.

 

[Obee]

What I do when I need replacement blades is make my own!

I use wire, flatten it by hammering on an anvil, then filing the point and then drilling into the hand and glueing the blade into the hilt.

For spears I only hammer one end of the wire, if it only a small tip, otherwise I use some flat lead to make the shape of the spearhead, file the edges to sharpen it, and fit it to a piece of wire ....easy

John

 

[Obee]

In this tread I recently posted, note that the Carabineer Officer was missing his sabre blade, and you can see the blade I fabricated for him in the next picture:

Junk...NO WAY !!

Recently I came across some model figures that were 'surplus to requirements' and so got hold of them and have brought them up to standard to be exhibited. There was large lot, but these Napoleonic figures took my fancy. First was a 3 man vignette by Andrea depicting a French pair, Grenadier...

forum.treefrogtreasures.com

Hope that helps,
John

 

[mikemiller1955]

John...this is the sword you fabricated with a piece of wire? If so...that's fantastic...could you show a pic of the wire you started with and a pic of the finished product before installing please?

 

[Obee]

Mike,

the wire is 1mm size, and I have taken pics of another similar project I did to replace a sword for a K&C Cuirassier about 10 years ago.

I'll have to search my archives today and then post images so you can see the stages I used.

John

 

[Obee]

Mike,

found the old pics, taken in 2009!!!!!

1. This shows a cast sword in scabbard, hammered 1mm wire, (sharpened edge and point and pin left to join) and the original broken sword as a sizing/shape guide.


2. Drill into hilt of sword with 1mm drill.


3. Insert blade and Supa Glue into position.


4. As the arms was loose, it is attached.


5. Finished with silver paint and red 'blood' to match original.


I hope this helps and this has technique has enabled me to do many repairs on broken/damaged figures.

John

 

[mikemiller1955]

John...

This is some top notch repair tutorial stuff...

if you collect toy soldiers...losing a sword has probably happened to us all...especially with the earlier stuff...
when a sword gets bent 2-3 times...and then re-straightened...
you can feel the integrity of the metal is compromised and will break off if you bend it back just once more...

thanks for indulging me and taking the time to post pictures and explanation...
In the past I was fortunate to obtain some stainless steel swords with hand pins to fix repairs...

Do you create (trim) the pin on the sword for the drilled out hole with a grinder?

 

[Obee]

John...

This is some top notch repair tutorial stuff...

Do you create (trim) the pin on the sword for the drilled out hole with a grinder?

Glad to pass on my technique to anyone that can use this to do repairs, it sure helps.

No, I don't use a grinder to shorten the pin, just a wire cutter, its only 1mm thick!

i also find that these blades are stronger that cast ones, so less change of bending.

John

 

[Obee]

Oop, I thought you meant to cut the length for the pin, that is using a wire cutter, but I file off the edge to narrow of the flattened wire blade to get the part I insert using a fine file.



John

 

[theBaron]

I make my own from wire stock, and even bobby pins (cut to length, filed thin, with a pin to attach). There is a company called G&G Miniatures, or GEG, that makes weapons in scale, though, for those who don't want to forge their own from scratch. They use a Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/p/GG-Miniatures-100068018567288/, but can be contacted directly via their email, gegminiatures@gmail.com. Their catalog is here: mondogag.it/geg_cataologo.html. They are regular posters at Planet Figure as well.

I paint a lot of Staddens, and the cast swords are usually too thick, out of scale.

Tradition also sells replacement parts, for 54mm figures, at least. I've bought some things from them, like sabretaches, when I didn't want to scratch the pieces.

Prost!
Brad

 

[mikemiller1955]

Oop, I thought you meant to cut the length for the pin, that is using a wire cutter, but I file off the edge to narrow of the flattened wire blade to get the part I insert using a fine file.

View attachment 351883

John

John...yes...this is the question I was asking to be addressed...you use a file to create the "male" plug to hold the sword...you have taught me an easy fix...this sounds like a simple...inexpensive...quick fix to replace lost spears and broken swords...thanks for your time, the detailed explanation and pictures...these tutorials help all collectors...Michael

 

[Obee]

John...thanks for your time, the detailed explanation and pictures...these tutorials help all collectors...Michael

I'm glad to help out anyone who need help on a technical subject in our hobby, that is what it is all about, enjoying our common interest and promoting friendship around the world, especially in these times !!!!

John

 

[Mason Ellis]

Yes, some collectors and reenactors do produce replacement spears and steel sword blades, often custom-made by blacksmiths or hobby metalworkers. You’ll also find a few sellers online or at historical fairs who specialize in replica or replacement parts. It's definitely becoming more common as the hobby grows and older sets need restoration.

 

[theBaron]

Here's another example made with the method John described, by cutting and filing a piece of metal stock to shape. This was to replace the blade shown in the photo, on a Stadden Prussian hussar.

The original blade was much too thick, and too deep from cutting edge to spine. I cut that off, drilled a small hole to receive the blade, and pinned the hand back on the figure's wrist. As I mentioned, I used a piece of a bobby pin-the straight part-for my stock. It took no time at all to cut and file the piece to shape.

Prost!
Brad

 

[mikemiller1955]

EXCELLENT!!!

 

[Obee]

Here's another example made with the method John described, by cutting and filing a piece of metal stock to shape. This was to replace the blade shown in the photo, on a Stadden Prussian hussar.

The original blade was much too thick, and too deep from cutting edge to spine. I cut that off, drilled a small hole to receive the blade, and pinned the hand back on the figure's wrist. As I mentioned, I used a piece of a bobby pin-the straight part-for my stock. It took no time at all to cut and file the piece to shape.

Prost!
Brad

Brad,

great picture, that really shows the new blade, exactly like I do them.

John