The Army of Frederick the Great (2 Viewers)

[Obee]

As promised, here is the first of my Hussars, the 7th Regt using Meisterzinn 40mm semi flat moulds.



The mould were affered to me from a lady who was selling her late father's estate, and I'm sure she will be happy that I have created something like he used to do and enjoy. The moulds were brought out to Australia when they emmigrated from Germany in the 1950's.

More to come..... in a month or 2.

John

 

[Louis Badolato]

As promised, here is the first of my Hussars, the 7th Regt using Meisterzinn 40mm semi flat moulds.

View attachment 86281

The mould were affered to me from a lady who was selling her late father's estate, and I'm sure she will be happy that I have created something like he used to do and enjoy. The moulds were brought out to Australia when they emmigrated from Germany in the 1950's.

More to come..... in a month or 2.

John

That's quite a nice glossy paint job, John!:smile2:

 

[johnnybach]

I'm assuming these are semi-round castings John? If so, the finish you have given them looks superb - and would grace anyone's cabinet. I don't know much at all about making "flat" castings, but am assuming again, that it's a bit easier than casting a fully round figure.

The reason that I'm so interested is - on their web-site, they do a mould of a musician with different heads and ten instruments to cast. Now, that could mean several options for Bands. Hmmmmmmm................got me thinking now............could I??? johnnybach

 

[Obee]

The reason that I'm so interested is - on their web-site, they do a mould of a musician with different heads and ten instruments to cast. Now, that could mean several options for Bands. Hmmmmmmm................got me thinking now............could I??? johnnybach

I was given a set of bandsmen about 8 years ago and painted them as Hanovarians. They are 40mm, came with a variety of heads and instruments, but you had to bend the arms to fit each insurtment, but they do paint up nicely.

John

 

[theBaron]

That is an advantage of the Meisterzinn molds, over the Prins August molds. The PA molds have set poses, so if it's not in the catalog, you can't cast it. The MZ molds cast parts, which allow swopping and modification.

On the other hand, some of the PA molds have some nice crisp detail, and with the right allow, the detail comes out in the figures.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Iron Brigade]

Well, we're snowed in here in Bethlehem, the first proper snow of this winter, and what better time to post some more pictures from my collection! I've shoveled several times, made some soup, and had a couple beers (Brooklyn Brewing Co.'s dark chocolate stout, a Christmas present from friends), and uploaded some pictures. So, here goes!

First, the old devil himself, der Alte Fritz, Old Fritz, as he was endearingly known, to his troops, and to the Berliners who saw him ride past every day:

This casting is by New Hope Designs, from their series based on Osprey's "Men At Arms" series, which I do not hesitate highly to recommend. I liked the pose of this figure, the dynamic king, directing, always hands-on. Here is another angle:

You can recognize New Hope Designs figures by the octagonal base. And if you have the figure in your hand, the bases are marked underneath as such.

Here is another figure of Frederick that I have, this one, depicting him out for a walk with his beloved dogs:

This kit was made by William Murray of NJ, who traded as "The Old Guard"
Alone among the officers, Frederick usually wore his coat closed, with his waist sash over it, because he felt the cold, and, well, he was the king, so he could wear his uniform as he pleased. One contemporary compared him to a Scottish chieftain, for the way he wore his uniform, to emphasize his connection to his army, the way a laird related to his clan.

Next up, another member of the royal house, the king's younger brother, Prince Henry:

He was an able field commander, by some accounts, more skilled than Frederick himself, though my own reading is that they were equally talented but with different emphases in their generalship. Henry commanded his own army, in the "central" front of Saxony and Bohemia, during the Seven Years War. Prince Henry displayed great personal courage; for example, at the siege of Prague, when Regiment 13 stopped at the edge of a river, for fear of drowning, he himself plunged in, to show that it could be crossed, and so, restarted their advance.

Here is another picture from another angle:

This figure is another Puchala casting, and is based on a sketch, I believe, by Menzel. I added a little bit of Miliput for groundwork, which let me push the map table and figure into the base.

More to follow...

"TheBaron":

Great looking photos!!!

"Iron Brigade"

 

[johnnybach]

Well, I have sent an e-mail enquiry about those bandsmen figures to Meisterzinnen - so we'll see if they can decipher my mix of Deutsch unt Englisch (I doubt they speaka da Cymraeg!). If I can't get the hang of casting - I DO know a friend who can - and am pretty sure he wouldn't mind a little pressie of a free mould!!! I'll let you know how I get on. Keep shovelling Brad - and not too much soup'n'stout - and like Ault Fritz - keep a scarf around you somewhere! jb

 

[johnnybach]

Well Brad - I have had a positive reponse from Meisterzinnen in Nurnburg - and they have agreed to sell me a metal mould - actually, this one:

.

As you may be able to see from this tiny pic. - he has three alternative heads and eleven musical instruments - so potential for three bands.
As I will be new to this - any tips for casting from these metal moulds - which I believe have to be pre-heated?

 

[Obee]

It's Sunday afternoon, and so time to show off this weekend's finished project.

A couple more 40mm semi flats from Meisterzinn moulds that are no longer in production.

Firstly a Pandour or Grenze Regt. standard bearer from the Karlstadter Linkaner Regt, holding the Liebfahne Standard.


Next is a Prussian Grenadier of the 2nd Bn 15th Guards Regt who is loading his musket.


They sure look nice in gloss, even though they are small, I managed to get some fine painting done

John

 

[aujj65]

These 40mm semi flats are just great! I can just imagine wargames armies in this size.....^&cool

Keep up the good work chaps! {bravo}}

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Lovely job - as usual John. You have encouraged me to send off to Meisterzinnen for a mould of a musician (they say he's approx 50mm). I intend to pass it over to a good friend of mine, "mensaman" - now that he has joined the Forum - who is going to cast them for me to paint. I just hope that I can get somewhere near that lovely glossy finish you have achieved with these beauties. They're just gorgeous. johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Just a little update on that Meisterzinnen Mould of the Marching Musician - (lottsa M's there - magnificent!).

Arrived safely by carrier from Germany today. They have someone at Meisterzinnen, who can communicate by e-mail in English - and couldn't be easier to order from - so don't be put off by any language barrier. I took some measurements from the figure in the mould - and it looks as if the figure is 50mm from his feet to the top of his hat (2 heads available) - so he's probably a true 45mm figure, measured from the soles of his boots - to the top of his head.

I intend passing this mould on to a good friend of mine "mensaman" who can be found on his web-site of whitemetalmail.com - and doubtless once he receives it and casts me a dozen or two - he will be putting the figures on there - available as castings. Oh yes - and this is what he and his instruments look like - and what sort of band he will make up into. All the best - johnnybach

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

They have someone at Meisterzinnen, who can communicate by e-mail in English - and couldn't be easier to order from - so don't be put off by any language barrier.


Hello,
yes indeed be NOT put off by the language barrier. You might also find Berliner Zinnfiguren of interest. They have a own Mold department where you can by a lot of different molds modern as well as sometimes vintage slate or even brass molds. There pricing can be a bit higher than german average but if you are looking for vintage they are the guys to contact.

As far as the modern molds by Schildkröt as well as Nürnberger Meisterzinn are concerned you will find EBAY.de interesting. Today there are 164 entries for Nürnberger Meisterzinn - most if not all cheaper than regular shop prices and yes some of us have arrived at 21st century and will accept PAYPAL which will also help to decrease the difficulty level of a purchase in Germany. You might want to check on the postage fees before you bid.

The magic words are:

Bitte teilen Sie mir vor Abgabe meines Gebotes die genauen Kosten für das Porto und den Versand mit. Ich bin in "Country where you residence" wohnhaft.
Herzlichen Dank!

transl.

Prior to my intended bidding kindly let me know how much you are going to charge me for postage and packing. I residence in XYZ-Country.
Thank you very much


Apart from that, this is an international forum and I am happy to help out if you need a quick translation. No family matters such as divorces etc. please ....{sm4}
here are the links - copy paste and happy bidding
regards
Wolfgang

http://www.zinnfigur.com/index.php?cPath=5_1256&ID=1256&sort=1d&osCsid=9l2upfcjnp9714eiatu3nuk5c0

http://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_nkw=...t=0&_odkw=nürnberg+in&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286

 

[johnnybach]

Guten Tag Wolfgang.

Many thanks for your offer of help when dealing with German TS Companies. So far, however, I have had succesful outcomes with purchases from both Meisterzinnen - and also an earlier purchase of some beautiful little flats from Berlin Zinnfiguren ( who also have a member of Staff - who deals with people like me - who prefer to use English). I do speak a little German - as I spent a good deal of time on Army Exercises there during the sixties. Because I learned the little bit of German that I know by speaking to people, however - my spelling in Deutsch is awful! So when I write e-mails - I prefer using English.

I do note your comments on using e-bay, but I also prefer to buy from TS shops - wherever possible - as I feel I'm doing my little bit to help keep them going. As my last mould cost me less than €18 and is brand-new ( which is just a few pennies more than £14), I don't think it breaks the bank! It is intended as a present anyway to a caster friend of mine - though I will hopefully be getting some shiny new castings from it in return, as well.( It's a musician figure with ten or so musical instruments - so a band is possible from the one mould).

As I also have been married for a considerable number of years to my first wife (La Commandante), I will bear in mind your disclaimer of help for divorce!^&grin
However, if I ever do run into trouble - over the border, with buying things from our fellow Europeans - I will keep in mind your kind offer of help - for some future purchases.

So far so good though! Have a nice one!

Danke - johnnybach

 

[theBaron]

Coming back to the topic at hand....



Here are my latest finished pieces, a pair of Prussian hussars, both of Natzmer's regiment, the White Hussars, and both castings from the Rylit catalog.

First, a trumpeter:

Musicians' uniforms were still relatively varied at this time, and the regimental or even squadron commanders exercised considerable influence on the color and details. Natzmer's regiment had mixed blue and white lace, which is reflected in our trumpeter's cap plume.

And here is a sergeant, a Wachtmeister of the White Hussars:

This casting was also sold as a finished figure by the German collectibles firm Archiv-Verlag ("Archive Publishers"). It's meant to be assembled with both hands on the bundle, as if he's feeding hay to his horse. His rank as a non-commissioned officer is indicated by the rosette on his cap and additional silver lace on his collar and cuffs.

As always, thanks for looking, prosit!
Brad

 

[aujj65]

Hi Brad,

Another couple of fine figures you have added to your collection! ^&cool

Are you going to collect the JJD Prussians?

Jeff

 

[theBaron]

Thanks, Jeff, very kind!

Yes, I'm looking forward to collection John's figures, I'm very excited about his range. The first piece, the grenadier, is excellent and the range promises to be a new high in quality for John, I think.

Prost!
Brad

 

[aujj65]

Thanks, Jeff, very kind!

Yes, I'm looking forward to collection John's figures, I'm very excited about his range. The first piece, the grenadier, is excellent and the range promises to be a new high in quality for John, I think.
Prost!
Brad

I agree Brad, I have this figure and can't wait for the next release.

Jeff

 

[theBaron]

Hi, all, here's another Prussian for my collection:

This is a musketier from the Duke of Brunswick's regiment ("Brunswick-senior", or "Alt-Braunschweig", since his younger cousin also had a regiment at the same time). Another casting from the Rylit catalog, and another example of the great, everyday poses of so many of the figures in that catalog.

Our friend refreshes himself after a long march, with a lunch of a chicken drumstick and a mug of beer. He's taken off one of his shoes, in the meantime, to air out those barking dogs.

I read that the soldiers used to cut the bottoms off their wool socks and wrap their feet in strips of cloth impregnated with tallow. You can imagine what that smelled like on campaign in high summer!

The casting had some sort of round metal bottle in his right hand, kind of like the old crown-top beer cans, but nothing like that existed in 1756. The Prussians carried a square metal flask, and the Austrians and others had round canteens made of wood or metal. So I modifed it into a stoneware mug by filing the cap and drilling out the center, and adding a handle. I have a similar mug in my collection, which served as a model.

As always, thanks for looking!

 

[aujj65]

As usual Brad another interesting figure painted to your usual high standard. :salute::

Btw, just how many Prussians etc do you have now?

Jeff