Tonight, the Kaiser's army (2 Viewers)

[theBaron]

Hello again, everyone!

Tonight, I took some pictures of my Imperial Germans, as I was packing up the Christmas display.

These are the figures that can be seen in the background of my Christmas parade pics; I've collected and painted them, to go with Guard Corps' Kaiser Alexander Grenadier sets.

First up, the Kaiser himself, and his eldest daughter, Viktoria Luise:

The Kaiser is by Tradition, from their model soldier range. Viktoria Luise is a rarer casting, by my friend Mike Ferguson. She appears here in uniform as the Chefin, or colonel-in-chief, of the 2. Leib-Husaren-Regiment, the Second Bodyguard Hussars, one of the two regiments formed out of the old Death's-Head-Hussars of Frederick's army. The casting has a weak spot at the ankle; if I had to do it over, I'd pin her ankles with brass rod, to help support the weight of her body. That sounds bad; in real life, she wasn't bad-lookin', as German princesses go

Next up, three majors of the Reitenden Feldjägern:

and another angle:

These are Stadden figures. Among the distinctions of their uniform is the gold laced pouch belt, and the whistle and chain worn on the front.

This unit served as couriers for the Imperial household, and also the diplomatic corps. They traced their origins back to a small corps of mounted Jäger that Frederick the Great raised, to act as his couriers and mounted scouts, along with the Jäger zu Fuss, the rifles who served on foot. In Germany, it was those men, who were often foresters, gamekeepers, or their sons, who were usually the ones the local ruler could trust to act as his police. "Jäger" was synonymous with "policeman" in many German states until after the First World War, and as many of you K&C fans may know, the police wore a variation of the uniform. They still wear green uniforms today, though the shako was discarded in the early '50s.

Next up, three officers of hussars, all Stadden castings:

The figure in the red Attila or dolman is from the Blücher regiment (Blücher! Did I hear horses neighing? ). Seriously, this was the hussar regiment that a young Blücher served in, after his capture by the Prussians. Old Belling commanded it then, and it was maintained through the collapse in 1806, up to 1918.

The figure in the black uniform and pelisse is from the 1. Leib-Husaren-Regiment, the other one to be formed from the original Death's-Head regiment. In Tradition's catalog, I think they list this casting as a personality figure of the Crown Prince, who was the regiment's Chef. I had to add the plume; the original had broken off long before I got this figure. I used a bundle of wire to make the heron feathers.

The third Husar is from the Ziethen regiment, but with the Mantel, there's not a lot of detail to see.

More to follow....

 

[theBaron]

Some more figures from the larger review party...

Two generals of the Jäger battalions:

These two castings are actually 2 versions of the same basic figure in the Tradition catalog, representing the Duke of Mecklenburg, who commanded a battalion. With some judicious use of different hair color, voila! Two different officers! Seriously, this particular casting is a pretty dramatic figure, with the beard, the chestful of medals, and the flowing plume on his shako.

Here are a Prussian field marshal and a general, also Stadden castings by Tradition:

The field marshal has his baton; otherwise, the castings are basically the same. The foot figures are cast in relatively softer metal than today's finished figures, or even kit figures. Tradition can take the basic figure and reposition the arms and legs to order, to create a custom figure. One drawback to the casting metal they use is the flat nose you see on some Staddens, that have pitched forward at some time and fallen, literally, flat on their faces.

Two more Prussian general officers, also Stadden castings:

Not too exciting, in greatcoat order, but decent figures nonetheless.

More to follow....

 

[theBaron]

More of the reviewing party figures...

Here are some figures by another of my favorite makers, Russell Gammage's Rose Miniatures. Two Prussian field marshals, flanking one from the Royal Saxon army corps:

and a slightly different angle:

Rose castings have crisp detail, and Gammage designed them with various poses for arms, heads, weapons, so that you could take the same basic figure and make a group that was more animated.

I've been naming states and regiments here, but you might look at the figures and ask, "OK, so what-how do you tell?" Some distinctions were in colors, in the cockades on the helmet, for example, and in the officers' sashes. Also, helmet plates varied among the German states. I've tried to mix up the medals, too, for variety, as much as possible.

Next, some cavalry officers....

 

[theBaron]

More members of the review party...

Here are two Prussian Uhlanen, also Stadden castings:

and a rear view:

The figure on the left in the first picture is from the 2. Garde-Uhlanen-Regiment, while the other is from the 1. Garde-Uhlanen-Regiment. Once again, we have the same basic casting, with the arms, legs and head repositioned slightly. Different colors, and I can represent a number of different regiments.

Here are officers from the other states, a Saxon Uhlan of the second regiment, "King Alfons of Spain", and a Bavarian Chevauleger of the regiment "Duke Karl Theodor":

The Saxon figure is a Lasset casting, by John Tassel. His figures are very similar to Staddens, and use the same tin sheet bases. But they often show more slender proportions against the stocky Stadden figures.

Here is another view of these two:

I liked the look of the Uhlan figure, with the cigar, a nonchalant pose.

The last of the review party, coming up....

 

[theBaron]

The last of my figures in this collection, a color party from the Garde-Jäger-Abteilung (Guard Rifle Detachment):

And another view:

These are Rose Miniatures castings. They came from a collection of partially-completed sets of Rose figures, amassed by a collector who was going to make a color party for every state in the German Empire, and every regiment in the Imperial Army. He had finished the flags for some of the units (not this one-I painted this one from scratch), and figures were all primed, but passed away before he ever finished. Along with the figures were postcards from a series of Imperial German army regimental colors, and the state flags. I'm working on completing that project for him, but at this rate, I'll probably pass away before I get any farther.

Anyhow, that's the end of this particular part of my collection. I'm still adding figures to it, of course; there are some figures on my bench right now that are intended for this set. I'd like to add civilians, too. Imperial and Trophy made civilian figures that would fit right in in a scene in Berlin in 1910.

I hope you enjoyed looking at these, and welcome comments, criticism and more info.

Prost!
Brad

 

[aujj65]

The last of my figures in this collection, a color party from the Garde-Jäger-Abteilung (Guard Rifle Detachment):

And another view:

These are Rose Miniatures castings. They came from a collection of partially-completed sets of Rose figures, amassed by a collector who was going to make a color party for every state in the German Empire, and every regiment in the Imperial Army. He had finished the flags for some of the units (not this one-I painted this one from scratch), and figures were all primed, but passed away before he ever finished. Along with the figures were postcards from a series of Imperial German army regimental colors, and the state flags. I'm working on completing that project for him, but at this rate, I'll probably pass away before I get any farther.

Anyhow, that's the end of this particular part of my collection. I'm still adding figures to it, of course; there are some figures on my bench right now that are intended for this set. I'd like to add civilians, too. Imperial and Trophy made civilian figures that would fit right in in a scene in Berlin in 1910.

I hope you enjoyed looking at these, and welcome comments, criticism and more info.
Prost!
Brad

Well Brad, where do I start? Obviously these are my favourite colour , but you have some really nice figures there, some of which are more than a few years old, but still stand the test of time when compared to some of the offerings available today. I assume there are plenty more that you have hidden away.

Jeff

 

[beating retreat]

Hi Brad what a fantastic and unusual collection,I really like the older Tradition figures and the period is great thanks for sharing. Nice one.

 

[Scott]

".....if I had to do it over, I'd pin her ankles with brass rod,...."

She's German and might LIKE that.


"....That sounds bad; in real life, she wasn't bad-lookin', as German princesses go..."

Viktoria Luise

Thanks for the photos. I had a few of those pre WW I figures waaaaay back.

 

[jrsteel]

Brad, really great figures. I ordered a Tradition catalog a few years ago and there was a big section called custom made soldiers. Are these the Stadden castings? I got the catalog from Tradition USA in Minnesota. Any idea if they're still in business?

 

[theBaron]

...these are my favourite colour ...

LOL, I'm partial to it, too! And I can't get that particular shade anymore, it was a jar of Pactra water-based gloss enamel, lasted me for years, and it was the exact shade I needed. Then Testors bought Pactra, and dropped that color from the line, argh!

Thanks again, Jeff, coming from a fellow painter, it's doubly gratifying to hear!

In the next day or so, I'll put up pics of more figures from Frederick the Great's army.

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

".....if I had to do it over, I'd pin her ankles with brass rod,...."

She's German and might LIKE that.


"....That sounds bad; in real life, she wasn't bad-lookin', as German princesses go..."

Viktoria Luise

Thanks for the photos. I had a few of those pre WW I figures waaaaay back.

"Something about a woman in uniform..."

Or as I used to say, I'm looking for a woman who will bear many strong, healthy soldiers for the Fatherland. (Actually, if she likes beer and can put up with my nonsense, I'd be happy!)

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

Brad, really great figures. I ordered a Tradition catalog a few years ago and there was a big section called custom made soldiers. Are these the Stadden castings? I got the catalog from Tradition USA in Minnesota. Any idea if they're still in business?

Yes, you're right, those are the same figures. I know who you mean, that was a couple named Ed and Miriam Studer, who were agents for Tradtion (sounds cloak-and-dagger when I put it like that ). I also ordered from them in the past, but not in recent years, so I don't know if they're still in business. You've reminded me that I should follow up and see if they are, and if not, to see if other sellers who carry Tradition can order the custom figures. I imagine they should be able to. I'll post back here, if I can find out.

You can order direct from Tradition, too, via their website.

For the custom figures, you can order just about any pose, because of the way the castings are made. You can even send a sketch or picture of the subject, and they'll match it as closely as possible.

I have one such new figure in my collection, a mounted Prussian officer from the Seven Years War. But all the rest are older castings, which I've bought at shows, flea markets or on eBay. When I go to shows, one of the things I look for is Staddens. My price range is $5 to $10 for foot figures, up to $15 for a flag bearer, and $20 for a mounted figure. If I can find them for those prices or less, I consider it a good hunt.

Do you have any yourself, that you've painted? You should post some pics, if you do!

Prost!
Brad

 

[jrsteel]

Yes, you're right, those are the same figures. I know who you mean, that was a couple named Ed and Miriam Studer, who were agents for Tradtion (sounds cloak-and-dagger when I put it like that ). I also ordered from them in the past, but not in recent years, so I don't know if they're still in business. You've reminded me that I should follow up and see if they are, and if not, to see if other sellers who carry Tradition can order the custom figures. I imagine they should be able to. I'll post back here, if I can find out.

You can order direct from Tradition, too, via their website.

For the custom figures, you can order just about any pose, because of the way the castings are made. You can even send a sketch or picture of the subject, and they'll match it as closely as possible.

I have one such new figure in my collection, a mounted Prussian officer from the Seven Years War. But all the rest are older castings, which I've bought at shows, flea markets or on eBay. When I go to shows, one of the things I look for is Staddens. My price range is $5 to $10 for foot figures, up to $15 for a flag bearer, and $20 for a mounted figure. If I can find them for those prices or less, I consider it a good hunt.

Do you have any yourself, that you've painted? You should post some pics, if you do!

Prost!
Brad

I don't have any Staddens, just a few sets of Tradition toy soldier castings I painted. I'd like to get some Stadden castings but I was looking in that Tradition USA catalog this morning and it says 2-4 MONTHS for delivery. Are the Staddens that you find at shows & online painted or unpainted?

 

[Mardasson]

Hi Brad,
Very nice figures.
You mention a larger display. Do you have posted pictures of it ?
Cheers,
Michel

 

[thebritfarmer]

Hi Brad

Thought I would write here instead of each thread. You really have a great collection of figures and some unusual ones that are not "mainstream" within the hobby. Your painting is wonderful and I also like all the additional information that you give with each of the pictures that you post. We have all truly benefited from your Christmas present this year. Looking forward to seeing more of your collection also.

Cheers

Scott

 

[theBaron]

Thanks very much, Scott, I appreciate that!

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

Hi Brad,
Very nice figures.
You mention a larger display. Do you have posted pictures of it ?
Cheers,
Michel

Hi, Michel, I may have misspoken, I meant this collection of figures, but not a permanent display-at least, not yet. I have a room upstairs that is designated as my display room, as I work on remodeling my house, but right now, it's storage. I'm going to build display cabinets, about 2 meters long, about 1 meter tall, and about 50cm deep, with an open space on top, another open shelf below that, and then drawers at the bottom for storage. I stole the idea from Jim Hillestad's display cabinets at his museum.

This collection consists of all of my Guard Corps Alexander Grenadier sets, around 100 figures, including the color party, the Feldmusik, the soldiers, and the reviewing party; 7 sets of artillery by Britain's; and all of the figures I've posted here. I plan to add more figures, military and civilian, to this scene. I haven't decided, though, whether to display them in town, in front of the Neue Wache, for example, or on the Tempelhof field, where the grand reviews were held. In town would give more opportunity to make some building fronts, streets, etc.

Thanks very much for your compliment, glad you enjoyed looking at these!

Prosit!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

I don't have any Staddens, just a few sets of Tradition toy soldier castings I painted. I'd like to get some Stadden castings but I was looking in that Tradition USA catalog this morning and it says 2-4 MONTHS for delivery. Are the Staddens that you find at shows & online painted or unpainted?

Generally unpainted, that is, factory-primed, sometimes the paint job was started but never finished. I've also had one or two that were finished, in the eye of a previous owner, but which I then stripped and re-primed, to paint the way I wanted them. I wouldn't undo a figure painted by Charles Stadden himself, if I were to find one, or by some of the other, well-known painters. But otherwise, I'll prepare them for my own style.

I recommend getting out to some shows if at all possible, and look at everything on every table. You never know where you'll see some.

From my vantage point (Eastern PA), there had been a drought on Stadden castings at the shows, and even on eBay, for about a year and a half or so. But this year, there were more on the market. Maybe someone passed away, sadly, but in any case, I picked up a couple of figures at Hackensack, and at the Langhorne show.

Prost!
Brad

 

[thebritfarmer]

Hi, Michel, I may have misspoken, I meant this collection of figures, but not a permanent display-at least, not yet. I have a room upstairs that is designated as my display room, as I work on remodeling my house, but right now, it's storage. I'm going to build display cabinets, about 2 meters long, about 1 meter tall, and about 50cm deep, with an open space on top, another open shelf below that, and then drawers at the bottom for storage. I stole the idea from Jim Hillestad's display cabinets at his museum.

This collection consists of all of my Guard Corps Alexander Grenadier sets, around 100 figures, including the color party, the Feldmusik, the soldiers, and the reviewing party; 7 sets of artillery by Britain's; and all of the figures I've posted here. I plan to add more figures, military and civilian, to this scene. I haven't decided, though, whether to display them in town, in front of the Neue Wache, for example, or on the Tempelhof field, where the grand reviews were held. In town would give more opportunity to make some building fronts, streets, etc.
Thanks very much for your compliment, glad you enjoyed looking at these!

Prosit!
Brad

I think that would be a great idea also, too many displays are just set in a field and this would certainly add something a little bit different. When I get my act together and funds allowing I would like to depict a downtown London scene to display the royal troops.

 

[theBaron]

I don't have any Staddens, just a few sets of Tradition toy soldier castings I painted. I'd like to get some Stadden castings but I was looking in that Tradition USA catalog this morning and it says 2-4 MONTHS for delivery. Are the Staddens that you find at shows & online painted or unpainted?

Hi, JR, I have a followup on this part of the thread, here is a link to a current eBay auction for a Stadden Prussian officer of Frederick the Great's army:

http://cgi.ebay.com/STADDEN-54MM-ME...oryZ2641QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This is the kind of thing I would buy, and in this case, I would strip the paint and repaint it myself. Though in this specific case, the style is very close to what I shoot for. I would want to try to paint the eyes a little more delicately, this one looks a little like Bert from "Sesame Street". But I thought this illustrates the kind of little treasures that are out there for the finding.

Prost!
Brad