Ha! - thanks Jack - but I fear this thread might be a never-ending story. Each time I go to the Dorset Soldier shop - always to collect an order - I'm drawn to "The cupboard under the stairs". It's like a gloomy treasure chest in there - where lurk several trays ( well, cardboard boxes really - that once held fruit!^&grin^&grin) exuding that musty smell of the BO that old toy soldiers seem prone too.:wink2: Not nasty - just......well........unmistakable. Old lead, flaking old paint and a bit of grime - with a dash of well loved fondling from collectors past! (quite nostalgic, really).
I usually sit on the floor of the shop - and I get lost in forgotten armies and tribes, as I pick through what are destined for the melting pot, if no-one saves them from that fate. Giles usually gives the less damaged specimens a reprieve for a while - and sometimes saves some of them for collectors like me - that he knows might like one or two. (he put the Timpo "Buffalo Bill" aside - as he just knew I would like to have him!
). But - nothing is wasted - as IF they do eventually reach the pot - they are then re-born as brand new castings, once again.
I like to show others what I do - for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I was asked to show in somewhat step-by-step fashion, how I go about painting my versions of Glossy Toy soldiers. Secondly - and maybe more importantly - I try to encourage others to have a go at what I do too. It always seems such a shame to me that many old toys like these frequently get binned - when it seems so easy to fix them up. Many are never going to be as good as some of the professionally finished items sold by many of the manufacturers seen in other threads here - but - that doesn't matter to me. If they pass my test of "likeability" - they're good enough for me.
As I often say - historic items like these - often produced 50-100 years ago, can often be found on bric-a-brac market stalls, car boot sales - or dealers like Giles, who visit shows, swap meets or are offered them by other dealers. Some of the rarer items - if found undamaged and without too much paint loss - are often worth a tidy sum - but those are not for me. If slightly damaged - they can often be obtained for under a pound or two - and frequently for much less. (I recently bought four Injuns on e-bay for 99 pence, for example!)
The reward for just a bit of very pleasant restoration and re-painting is a bright and shiny figure - and oodles of pleasure to come from adding them to a shelf full - just like it - and then playing with them. I've shown how to do some of the more common repairs - but am always available to help with advice if anyone gets stuck - and I know some of the other repairers are too. Spare parts can be purchased from dealers like Giles - who specialise in providing spares for repairs - and by mail order too. (If in doubt - send Giles an e-mail photo of the broken figure - and he can advise what you might need in the way of spare parts).
You can also change weapons, heads, arms and legs - and produce an item that is unique or a copy of a rare specimen (conversions) - which are great fun to do - and often for pennies. The joy of owning what looks like a rarity - for next to nothing - is very satisfying.
Do have a go Jack - you won't regret it - it can be much more fun than buying them as perfect - and you can frequently buy many, many more for the same outlay!
All the best - glad you (and others) are enjoying them too.:salute:: jb
