There's an Old Tribe of Injuns - in Dorset! (2 Viewers)

[Napoleon1er]

A real pleasure to look at! I am always tempted to send you metal scrap- I bet you could turn it into something incredible!

 

[johnnybach]

A real pleasure to look at! I am always tempted to send you metal scrap- I bet you could turn it into something incredible!

Gold and silver - always welcomed! Must be in the genes - my Great Grandfather was a Blacksmith! However, I prefer smaller things. jb

 

[johnnybach]

In between other jobs - small repairs can be continued with spare bits and pieces of milliput ( which have to be mixed together - and therefore have a limited life before going off hard). Milliput was used for the shirtsleeves of the Surrendering Cowboy (top left), and various holes and joints on repaired figures. Once covered with a priming coat of paint - they just vanish - or areas for further applications show up. The central Injun ( 105 years old) has had a new tomahawk arm added - as this was missing - and largish fissures and holes have been filled. The resulting primed casting - now looks near perfect - and ready for painting.

note Buffalo Bill (Timpo) at rear right - now primed and ready for paint too. My left hand front Britains Cowboy - now firing a pistol to the rear has had the hand and weapon added by drilling and pinning a new piece. Primed with matte cream paint - the joint and repair has vanished too - as has his horse's new rear leg. Note the new stands for two figures - which help with stability and restricting any further possible leg damage. The central "Rocking Horse" cowboy (Johillco), has had the milliput rear leg treatment - so will be making up a new stand for him soon.

Front two figures feature two canoes with two new canoeists ( both will need paddles repaired) and canoes repainted. I went to Dorset expecting one canoe - and found two.....so...........bought two repairable figures for them. Happy Days!

 

[johnnybach]

Despite the weather being almost perfect for painting ( drying nicely ) - it is really been far too nice to sit indoors painting - and La Commandante says that I need to get out more anyway!{eek3}

I have still managed to sneak in a bit of time on some of my old hollowcast Cowboys and Injuns though - and have just finished off my Britains Cowboy firing rearwards - which you may remember had originally lost his six-shooter - and his horse had thrown a rear left leg!:rolleyes2:Here he is now - weapon and horse-leg restored by way of some spare parts from Dorset - and a nice firm base from me - to keep him safe and sound for the future.

I thought that I would show the difference in a completed Britains Glossy - to that of one in progress, using similar colours - in the shape of a pursuing Injun. He's my very old Britains Chief (dated on the base as 1908) - now repaired to the point of painting up. He has a new spare arm holding a tomahawk and a knife added at his belt - but the rest of him is original - thanks to some milliput repairs which fill several holes and fissures. Looks like he's a bit peeved with our cow-poke - maybe he's annoyed that he's wearing the same shirt, and his horse could be the brother of his own steed! jb

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[Buster]

Always a wise decision to abide by the "suggestions" of La Commandante". The repairs to cowboy and his mount and the Injun chasin' him came out great jb, looking forward to seeing what you planned for sprucing up those two Dorset canoes. :smile2:

B.

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Buster - I have a few ideas for those two canoes - but will wait until I get back home before restoring the two paddlers that I found. The reason for that is that I have a complete paddler figure already waiting there - and I would like to restore my extra two figures to look very like him.

There's a danger of trying to cram too much decoration onto the canoes - so I will also be trying to keep them relatively simple.

Glad you approve of repairs - so far............ jb

 

[johnnybach]

And here's my antique Injun Chief, now fully repaired and restored once again - busy doing what Injun Chief's do best - - chase cowboys! I have left his stand well alone - as the underside perfectly shows maker as Britains and first date of issue in 1908. (Both figures are actually old hollowcast britains figures). Next time - I'll tip him on his side to show how that looks. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here's another update on progress with some more Cowboys & Injuns from my last raid on the Dorset Riviera.

At the rear, my Johillco "Rocking Horse" has had rear legs added - and is now fitted to a long stand. This should help stability for the long-term, and reduce the possibility of further breakages of limbs, as he has been pinned and glued to the new base. The base is made of 3mm alloy sheet - so is very strong. He needs a lasso - which I will make from wire.

My two Injuns are old Britains hollowcasts. The rear one has a replacement rear leg and tail on the horse and a new stand, made from the same material. The front one is a later produced version of my 1908 original. Note the new tail - as the original cast-in version was changed by Britains to a more free-flowing one - which had been broken off in this example. The current one is yet another Dorset spare-part. I am in the process of sculpting a new front right leg for the horse - and a new arm with rifle awaits fitting. The nice thing about these moveable arms, is that they are easy to replace with a choice of weapons - with tomahawk, spear or rifle available. I will show him next to the 1908 original when he's completed - to show up the differences.

My last pair are Buffalo Bill - who is almost completed - and the Surrendering cowboy (both Timpo). Bill needs a lasoo ( as the original figure was made) - so a wire one awaits fabrication. The cowboy with hands raised has had arms with rolled up sleeves added - and I need to add a couple of empty holsters to his waist belt, which is a common missing feature from this maker - though Bill does have a six-gun and holster cast in, on his belt. Odd that.

 

[johnnybach]

The latest update shows development of these figures. Note that my Johillco "Rocking Horse" cowboy is nearly complete. Just his lassoo to make and fit into his raised hand. I'm pleased that his horse's rear pair of legs (originally snapped off at the knees) have turned out so well.( Look back through the thread to see how they were made). All four legs are now pinned and glued to his new stand. I've also given him a holstered pearl-handled six-gun, as this is yet another cowboy that was originally produced without one. (the addition is made from milliput).

My two Britains Injuns at the rear are continuing to be developed. Note the addition of a new arm with rifle to Chief Red-Shirt, and his horse has a replacement tail (which I've covered in my pic! - Doh!). A similar arm with rifle has been used on my walking cowboy - though the arm has been converted into a left arm for him. I'm going to make him a Sheriff by painting a star onto his shirt! (both spare arms came from Dorset, by the way).

Note that my surrendering Timpo cowboy now has an empty holster on his gun-belt too (more milliput work). He might be completed later today, when I finish painting his horse. jb:smile2:

 

[johnnybach]

Latest update on developments with these repaired figures attached as two pics below.

First thing noticeable - will be the two lassoos - one for Buffalo Bill (Timpo), front left - and one for Rocky (Johillco). I made these from a piece of copper wire - which is soft enough to bend into complex twists and turns - but firm enough to hold its shape. Painted cream, rather than white - they look much like the original figures now - and have been painted up to my usual preference of High Gloss Toy figures.

Note also the Surrendering Cowboy - a most unusual figure from Timpo again. I have added his arms - which were originally missing - by adapting two spare arms from Dorset Soldiers ( all spares from there - this time), by filing off the original tunic features, and then shaping them as bare arms. Milliput and paint complete the rolled up sleeves - and I've also added an empty holster to his gun-belt, before painting him up. He came without a horse - but as Timpo Cowboys and Injuns usually fit any of their horse - I found this one for him - and after repairing his snapped off rear leg - painted him up - and pinned the cowboy to his saddle. ( He is currently detachable with a pin which fits into a hole in the saddle - so he can also play dead - whilst the horse can be made available to another figure).

In between them - is an advancing Sheriff - with painted on star - and an added arm with rifle - which was missing when found. (A Britains figure, originally).

At the rear - a Britains Cowboy is being chased by a variety of Injuns ( all Britains again). Some haven't quite been completed yet - though all now stand up - and have a variety of added bits and pieces - to firstly make them stand up again - and have had missing bits and pieces - like arms, weapons and legs - added to complete a useful figure again. Note especially the two galloping Injuns ( centre) - and the differences in tails of horses - and right arm with weapons. By adding different features like this, and then painting them differently (to what is basically the same figure) - you can often create two unique pieces.

Once again - all were cheap to buy - at around a pound per damaged figure, or under - and the small extra cost of spare parts and paint/brushes etcetera - means that a nice shiny collection of unique pieces can help grace a cabinet - or provide hours of fun in the making - and, of course, playing with them later.

 

[Buster]

Amazing and imaginative transformations jb, very colorful, very cool and very well done. {bravo}}

B.

 

[johnnybach]

Yeee-Hah! pardner - glad you like 'em! - and thanks for the compliment. Great fun - jb

 

[johnnybach]

Finally satisfied enough with my two Injun Chiefs headgear, to apply a coat of varnish - to seal it all in. Both Britains figures, they were originally found with pieces missing, so repaired, restored and repainted.

The standing figure was missing an arm - so I gave him one with a drawn knife - and removed the one in the sheath he originally had.

The horse was missing some legs and tail ( so didn't stand up. I gave him a base after repairing him - as I believe this is often the cause of broken legs on horses without bases. Two more nice and colourful additions to my tribe. jb

 

[johnnybach]

One more finally completed from my latest batch of repaired/modified figures. You have seen this Britains figure before - though in an earlier version with cast in tail to body of the horse. When I picked this one up, the horse was minus his tail, and the front right leg. The rider was also minus his weapon carrying arm - so I chose one holding a carbine for this example. I also added a knife to his belt, by way of a modification. I bought some spares from Dorset Soldiers for tail, arm and knife - and made the front leg from a bent pin for the core - and milliput.

I think that I have four of this figure now - none of which look exactly the same - so when I get them all in one place, I'll post a pic of the differences. I chose to make a "pretty horse" this time - so made him a Palamino - one of my favourites. A couple of views below of this one.

I have just two paddling figures and a pair of canoes to go with this batch - but as I'm off again on a few travels soon - I will wait to repaint them - until I get back home. See you later. jb

 

[johnnybach]

My two refurbished Timpo canoes have now been completed and are shown below.

Note that both have had a canoe shaped stand added beneath them - as both were found to have rounded bases - and were unstable once figures were put inside. I think that this must have been a small design fault - as it would be odd to find two which were that shape. A flat base is really essential for stability - so I have given both of my canoes that treatment. I used images from the internet for the designs on both - which are based on real Native American Indian Canoe designs.

Note that only the nearest canoe has a completed figure ( which I already had from a previous find). The furthest canoe has the two figures which are still under development. Both figures were found with broken paddle blades - which have now been repaired with milliput - and their re-painting has now begun.

 

[johnnybach]

Just a small correction - They are not TIMPO pieces, of course - they are Crescent. (I've been working on so many of that marque - my mind seems to have become stuck on the word!) jb

 

[johnnybach]

And here they are, my final pieces from this collection of repairable parts - now completed.

The original canoe, by Crescent, would have had just one paddler - often with a bale of soft cloth tied up as cargo. However, I found two canoes and another two occupants - so as I already had a paddler - I ended up with three occupants. Two in a boat just about fit - so I now have this arrangement - which I think doesn't look too bad at all.

You just find them - where you can - and make do and mend. That's all for now - but still looking.............. jb

 

[johnnybach]

As I have recently visited Dorset - thankfully still there after the Winter Storms - it will come as no surprise that I had another rummage "Under the Stairs" - where Giles keeps his boxes of "those in need of a little TLC". These are mostly old hollowcast TS that the owner, Giles Brown, picks up through the trade - and those in need of some repair, he often will keep for collectors to buy and restore - or if too badly broken and unloved - to put in the pot to eventually be re-born as a bright and shiny new casting.

Unable to resist another peek - I found a few more Cowboy and Injun candidates to join my ever growing collection of this genre. Here's a pic of what I found to buy this time. I'll try and explain what they are first (from L to R).

Row 1.
1.Britains Mounted Cowboy - missing right arm and horse missing two back legs.
2. - a Charbens horse - missing right rear leg (replaced already with modified spare by me - couldn't resist this rareity) missing tail - and a couple of holes in the body caused by a careless previous owner.
3. Timpo - head down pony - undamaged - apart from chipped and worn paintwork (again, quite rare to find in this condition)
4. Charbens Cowboy. Again, another rare and undamaged piece, other than chipped paintwork - and bad overpainting by a previous owner in parts.

Row 2.
5. Timpo Pony - paint worn almost completely off.
6/7 Timpo Cowboy - gun across waist - I've shown two of these - first has a restored rifle across the knees - and the next shows how you normally find them - with gun butt and barrel snapped off. Easy torepair - with spare butt parts shown on a sprue between the two figures. The barrel will be from a paper clip.
8 Timpo bareheaded cowboy mopping his brow ( will fit nicely on nmber 3 pony above him. Playworn.
9. Timpo Masked Outlaw with two drawn six-guns - ( I've repaired his right hand gun with a piece of paperclip already!). Needs complete repaint.
10. Timpo pony - paintworn - but complete.



Row 3.
11. Crescent "pod-foot" Injun drawing bow. Missing string to bow - and paint-loss.
12. Unsure of maker for this smaller scale figure of a cowboy firing backwards on rearing pony. The pony is clearly an adaptation of the Timpo Ponies above - probably a pirated copy by a British maker around the 1930's - when this was rife. His hand holding a pistol has been bady formed and repaired in the past - so will need reparing again. Some holes to body and horse due to playworn wear.
13. Johillco - ( John Hill & Co.) "Rocking horse cowboy. Two missing rear legs and playworn paint loss. Right arm intact and still attached ( which is frequently missing for this old figure) - so good news!
14. Strombecker die-cast figure ofACW General ( probably WT Sherman)[Identified for me by Brad (the Baron)- as part of a set commemorating the Battle of Shiloh - by this American company - Thanks buddy!] What this was doing in Dorset - is a mystery - but happily - I can fix his snapped of sword - and his horse is below him. The sprue in between them holds some horse legs/tail for repairs to be made to those missing parts in horses above.

Row 4.
15.Johillco Rocking horse Injun, (this time) Playworn - with holes to the body of Chief and horse ( milliput repairs required)
16. Crescent standing Chief, drawing bow. Playworn and big hole in his back.
17. Early Crescent Chief on horseback holding rifle. Many holes to body and horse due to age and playwear. [Note that the hand casting of such pieces - often means that when the excess lead was poured out from the mould when casting, some parts were often formed very thinly. With play - such thin parts were often compressed and or broken wth rough play. These then frequently wear into quite large holes.]
18. Strombecker - ACW Union General's Horse ( note Eagle with Single Star above on shabraque). From set already mentiones above. My restored general No.14) will eventually be fixed firmly in the saddle.

So there we have a nice series of projects to repair/restore, from my last visit to Dorset Soldiers. Johnnybach.

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a few pics of some of my repairs already begun - after stripping off the old paint first. Note that I nearly always put a metal base on my horses - as this makes them far more stable - and hopefully mean less future damage from being knocked over. Compare with original first post picture - to see how the repaired version improves.

Here are my Britains Cowboy - horse now has two rear legs replaced by drilling and pinning. These will be filed down to hide the joint before repainting. Note the new base - made from alloy off-cuts that I buy from a local engineering firm. Legs are drilled, and pinned to the base using epoxy resin two-part glue. (I use Araldite Rapid). Next figure is my Charbens horse with re-modelled rear leg and hoof, and new replacement tail. I don't have the original rider - so have used a Timpo figure which fits him nicely. This Cowboy has had his rifle across his knees repaired by fixing the rifle-butt in to a drilled hole - and a piece of paper-clip at the other end forms a new gun-barrel. Note one of the holes in the horse has been repaired with super-glue and milliput. Again - a new base has been pinned to three of the legs - the other is slightly raised off the base.



Next up - I'm showing progress on my two Johillco "Rocking Horse" figures of an Injun Chief, and Cowboy with drawn pistol. ( The painted version behind is a previously restored figure that was missing the arm/pistol - which shows how he will eventually look). Note again the new pinned/glued bases - and undercoat painting begun. I intend to give the Cowboy a Palomino pony - hence the pale cream undercoat. Note the new legs on the Cowboy's horse. Pinned/glued solidly in place - once re-painted - you would never know he had once been broken.



Last one for now - shows stripped Timpo Pony (left) - and my "mystery figure" (centre) - which I think clearly shows the similarity between the Timpo pony and this one. I realised that by tipping him up slightly - he "sits" on his tail that has a flat spot underneath. I put a base on him for greater stability - and pinned his rather small hooves ( and his tail) to it. He is now VERY stable indeed. I have also begun restoring his hand/pistol - using milliput and paper clip again for materials. Once set, filed and painted - it will look okay once more. My final figure shows the head down Timpo pony - with Timpo cowboy mopping brow aboard. Both have been stripped of paint - though I'll put a base on the horse - and maybe fix him to the saddle. Loose figures fall off - and eventually get damaged all over again - which I don't like.

To be continued. jb

 

[GICOP]

Great to see this thread back up and running again jb {bravo}}{bravo}}{bravo}}

Glad to hear Giles is OK :salute:: I know Portland had it really bad during the Great Storm {eek3}

Cheers

Martyn