Show us your Bengals! (1 Viewer)

[Drum]

Hey all,

I think that we have done this before but I thought I would start a new thread for some discussion and research on any variations in Imperial's Bengal horsemen.

Below are some pics of one identified variation. Please post your own pics of these sets, especially if you see something different.

This is an example of what I believe to be a standard paint scheme on a horseman from Imperial set #50a;

Note the predominance of black (or dark blue) in the turban and also the full cavalry boots and pinion colors.

Here is a picture of Vandilay's set of Bengals - an example of at least two known sets that may have been painted per a special order.

Again, note the different boots, the pinion colors and the predominantly light blue turban. Otherwise, the above two horsemen appear the same to my eye.

Interesting, nicht wahr?

Now, just for general reference purposes, here are representative shots of each of the other sets;

50

50b

50c

50d

Do any of you fellas have Bengals that look different than these? If yours look the same as one of the "variations" post that info too, please.

Cheers and thanks in advance for your input.

D.

 

[bromhead]

Indian cav ,always charming.

 

[dkelly]

Hi gang, I have attached photos of 50, 50A, 51A, 50B, and 50C. Note the difference with the officer's turban in set 51A and the turbans in 50A. Is that what they are suppose to look like? I will attach 50D in my next post. You will also note that I have pictures of one loose figure and one in the box. I actually have duplicates of all these sets (50-50D). The ones loose have been collected over the years. All the ones in the box were done earlier this year by Cowe. He redid the molds and painted them himself. I can't bring myself to take them out of the boxes because they look so pristine.

Dan Kelly

 

[dkelly]

Here is 50D.

 

[Drum]

Cool photos, Dan and an excellent observation on the officer's turban.

I think you have an officer there from one of the special order Bengal sets. The set 51a officer that I have has a turban identical to the troopers.

(woops... maybe I shrunk that too much. Can you see it okay?)

Anyway, I had not thought to check the officers against their men for any differences. Now I will look to that issue more carefully.

Of course, the downside is that now you must find the proper leader for your troopers from original set 50a.



Good spot!

D

 

[bromhead]

Fine items and photos,,thanks

 

[Drum]

A theory that I am working on...

Imperial Productions sets #50 and #51 were released in about 1988. Of this I am nearly certain. These had dark blue tunics and light blue turbans with dark blue stripes.

At some point thereafter, the creative folks at The Toy Solider Gallery in upstate NY specially ordered a short run of the Bengal figures painted to represent a different formation.

These were as depicted in Rob's set and Dan's officer; pictured above, with mustard colored tunics and turbans that are the same as the original set 50 turban (light blue with dark blue stripes).

Also, these came with a piece of paper identifying them as a special run of figures made for the Toy Soldier Gallery much the same as the Heirloom Series Gordon versions.

Speaking with the folks at Toy Soldier Gallery, I was told that they suggested to the Cowes that quite a few different Bengal units could be portrayed with that single sculpt. The folks at the TSG were even kind enough to forward all their research in that regard to Imperial.

By the looks of things, around 1992, Imperial took their suggestion and released four subsequent sets of differently painted Bengal sets. These included sets 50a/51a which were essentially identical to the paintjobs on those first special order sets for the TSG.

So... there are essentially two versions of sets 50a/51a that differ in turban pattern and boots

All ist klar?

 

[dkelly]

Drum, that sounds like a reasonable theory. I picked up my now "special" 51A from Counterpane in Falls Church, Virginia on May 13, 1995 (yes, I keep all my receipts/records). I picked it up at the same time that I got my first set of 50A. Both were mint in the box. As some of you know, I have been encouraging David to add at least one more set of Bengal Lancers/Cav to the series - a 50E in light blue coats. I sent him some photo references and I believe he is thinking about it. Makes sense to me given that he just redid the molds anyway. I love the Lancers.

 

[Andanna]

Drum, would you mind putting up the photos of the Bengals in your gallery? I am new to Imperial and your gallery is an unbelievable help in understanding the breath of the work and the variants. I know it is a lotof work, but trust me, all collectors of Imperials really appreciate it.

 

[Arnhemjim]

Imperial set numbers 50d and 51d were correctly labeled and sold as the 30th Lancers, not as 30th Bengal Lancers. More properly, upon research they are:
30TH LANCER'S (GORDON'S HORSE), 1903 -1922, SERVICE DRESS; RAISED AS 4TH REGT, NIZAM'S CAVALRY (1826), 4TH CAVALRY, HYDERABAD CONTINGENT (1854), 4TH LANCERS, HYDERABAD CONTINGENT(1890), 8TH KING GEORGE'S OWN LIGHT CAVALRY (1922). Please see; HISTORY OF THE THIRTIETH LANCERS, GORDON'S HORSE, MAJ E.A. STOTHERD,THE NAVAL & MILITARY PRESS, LTD., UCKFIELD, EAST SUSSEX, ENGLAND, 2006 (A reprint from the original book published 1911).
Best Christmas Wishes to All,
Arnhemjim

 

[Drum]

Figured to dig this thread up from a few pages back on the off chance that spurring a little IP Bengal discussion might shake loose this "NY Special" repaint set 50 that I am seeking in the classifieds wanted section here.

Hopefully nobody minds if I kick a little bit of dust around in this forum.

:tongue:

D