Small Mounted Cowboy (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

I found this small chap amongst a box of old Cowboys and Injuns recently. I show him below - nearly completely restored - and alongside another Timpo cowboy I'm restoring at the same time. I've put them together - to show the similarity in pose of the horse especially - as I originally thought the smaller chap was a Timpo too. The eyes of the small horse are identical to the usual "pop-eyed" look of the normal Timpo horses - so could be the same sculptor's hand - who maybe moved to another of the English factories. There was a lot of movement of staff between factories - pre-war.

Please ignore the pistol in his hand - as this was originally missing. Ignore the new base too - as he didn't have one when found, though he was obviously made to "sit on his tail" - as he has a cast-in flat spot under it. I added the new base to make him more stable, as he wobbled a bit .I call him "Shorty", by the way!

He is hollowcast, softish metal material, with no marks whatsoever, anywhere. I stripped him of paint - and know where to look for the usual Timpo marks - so am sure now, he isn't any Timpo Cowboy that I know of. I estimate his size at about 45mm? Note the tiny hooves - which are most un-Timpo-like.

Any Ideas on manufacturer?? He's got me stumped? ^&confuse johnnybach



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[johnnybach]

Cheers Mike - it's been bugging me! That's another first for me - as I didn't have an example from B&T before now. I hope my colours are not too far off the original - though I think mine had a blue shirt before his repaint - there were a few hints of blue around that area.

I know that Benbros (another London based TS company) used some Timpo moulds - so maybe there was at least some cross-fertilisation from many of the early TS companies in London around that time. The similarities in style and detail with the Timpo horse just can't be coincidental.

Many thanks for the ID Mike, - I owe you a shot of red-eye pardner. johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Now I know what to look for - I had a look through Google Images on the Internet - and found a version that was for sale on the Internet last year. As an aid to identification for anyone else - here's the accompanying pic below, which shows the figure as it was intended to stand - without a base.

The item went last year for just over £15, by the way.

Thanks again Mike for the info. Must save up a bit for that book.

 

[johnnybach]

I was ready for a slow, pleasurable stroll through Joplin's Big Book, and there's the range rider right at the beginning, page 22. He's from B & T, a company formed in London in 1949 by an ex-army type. He got an exclusive contract to supply the Woolworths shops. The cowboy makes an appearance on the company's box labels, too. Joplin notes that B & T used other companies' moulds, so his origin might be more complicated, just like a real-life cowpoke.

I've been looking at a few books by Joplin, online, since you posted the info which identified my B&T cowboy for me Mike - and there seem to be several versions of books by him - out there. Could you give the actual title of the book you used - and maybe the ISBN number please??? I think I may be getting a bit more serious about what hollowcasts are out there - in need of a helping hand - so it would be nice to know exactly who they are??

La Commandante - has hinted that a Christmas Present may be in order, later on this year!!!! jb

 

[johnnybach]

It's called The Great Book of Hollow-cast Figures. The paperback version was published in 1999 by New Cavendish Books. ISBN 1 872727 78 6 The first, hardback edition was 1993. It is huge and Joplin admits he found it difficult to call a halt to it, as new figures kept turning up. He's got a large 'unidentified' section, too. He lets Rose's and Wallis' books cover the Britains military side. I picked it up on eBay. The postage was expensive- it is a huge book, 10 1/2" X 11", 350 pages, full colour. I find it indispensable for IDs and details about all the little companies' histories and output. It is a joy to just browse through, too.

Cheers Mike. You confirmed what I guessed might be the book - as I've been having a peek at Amazon UK - and have seen both versions advertised there (amongst several others by the same author). It does sound right up my street - as I also collect books by/or about TS figures ( and others too). True - it is a bit pricier than some of my other books - but will help enormously with one aspect of my hobby.

I think I might take up La Commandante's kind offer - of a copy for either Xmas or birthday. Many thanks again Mike - you're a pal - johnnybach