Various Hollowcasts in Need of some TLC (2 Viewers)

[johnnybach]

I recently acquired six varied old hollowcast cowboys and an Injun Chief - each with a mount - from La Commandante - as a gift for an annual event - coming my way - soon! Here they are below.

From the left at the rear are a pair of Timpo Ponies - a Sideways sitting Johillco cowboy on a "rocking horse" version of their horse ( a rareish one-piece casting) - and a Britains Injun Chief holding a bendy wire "spear", whose horse has no tail - and has some difficulty standing on bent legs. You may note that each is in need of some attention - and a nicer paint job.

In front are a pair of Timpo riders - who will eventually have a pony each. The "Outlaw" in the yellow shirt should have a pair of drawn six-shooters - but has lost one in a fight somewhere along the line. The other has a rifle. Centre, is another Johillco rareity, a lying down white horse with his rider kneeling behind and taking a few pot-shots with what is left of his rifle.

Lastly, there is yet another Johillco cowboy who has lost his head - whilst his horse has a missing bottom half of his rear left leg. Fortunately, the head was found in another box - with a matchstick stuck in it. I had just started making a metal plug to fix instead - when I remembered to take a photo - so that I can show repair progress - or at least a "before and after" pic.

So thanks to my Dearest - another set of repairs are underway - to be aided by a few spare parts - on their way from Dorset Soldiers - who can often help out either from stock - or cast from some old moulds - held especially for such occasions as this. I hope to eventually repair and repaint all six to something near their condition when they were born ( quite a few years ago now - as some may be older than me!). Johnnybach

 

[blaster]

I hope to eventually repair and repaint all six to something near their condition when they were born ( quite a few years ago now - as some may be older than me!). Johnnybach

Wow JB,

That would make these truly archaeological finds...

Rgds Victor

 

[johnnybach]

Ha-ha! - well done Vic. I'll take that as a compliment

Not quite found in a Pharoes Tomb, however, - but a series of cardboard boxes in my favourite Dorset shop (Giles picked up a few hundred of types like this at a swap-meet). Now that he has a shop, he is buying up job lots of old - and sometimes rare - hollowcasts, and starting to sell them to his regulars, alongside his own castings and painted soldiers. He keeps the best to sell as they are and restores some, but also keeps some of the more damaged ones for guys like me ( and I suspect you too?) who like to bring the old and damaged ones back from the brink. For a pound or two apiece - they are a nice little challenge - but it's not the end of the world if things go wrong! They are good for "spares" too. Though, it's one of the nicest feelings there is, I feel, to restore these old little masterpieces from years gone by - and which frequently saves them from the ultimate old soldiers fate - the bin{sm2}!

If you're interested in any of them - just contact Giles at Dorset Soldiers by e-mail - and he'll send you a list of illustrations of what he has - as he's pretty good at identification of most old hollowcasts.

Hope your Drum Horses have arrived.

All the best for Xmas to you and yours chum - johnnybach

 

[theBaron]

Nice to see your latest project underway, John! And you remind me that I have a box with some Britains Life Guards, somewhere in my stash, awaiting restoration or conversion (thought they might make nice Imperial German dragoons.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Change Lifeguards to some Germans eh? Martin will go ape!

Dig 'em out - and get cracking then sah!

 

[johnnybach]

Just one little update - a correction is in order for the headless figure/horse with rear leg missing - which I incorrectly identified as a Johillco piece initially. Whilst stripping off the paintwork, prior to beginning a repaint, I found several thick coats of paint had been applied (by prvious owners) - which had obliterated some wording found cast-in, under the horse's belly.

He is in fact a Britains Cowboy - and he has another interesting secret to let go................The wording tells the tale:

Wm. BRITAINS

DEPOSE

COPYRIGHT

The word Depose tells you that this is a Britains piece originally made in France - for their Parisian offshoot. The word is shorthand for "Modele Depose", which means "Registered Design" in English. It must be noted however, that when this short-lived office in France closed, the moulds were returned to Britains and continued to be used - so he wasn't necessarily Made in France - but - he was originally.

An interesting find. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Things are going well with the repairs - so much so - I have begun preparing yet another broken Britains Cowboy - but this time for a very special conversion. Here he is - so far - below. As you can perhaps make out - he is intended to eventually become a Pony Express Rider. I originally intended to wait until I was back at my work-bench - but couldn't resist the urge to start him off!:wink2:

I obtained him by asking Giles at Dorset Soldiers to pick me out a suitable cowboy to make up a Pony Express rider - by sending him a pic of the Trophy version - which I think is just great - but now very pricey to obtain. Besides that - I like to paint them myself. This one was first repaired by fixing in a tail for the horse and adding the lower part of the front leg ( which were both missing). So was the arm and rifle of the rider - which is a recast spare for this old hollowcast Britains figure. He was then stripped of old paint. I plan to spray him with primer (to unify everything) when done with the sculpting of my "extras"

Next came the modelling of "the mochilla" ( which is really a quick change mailbag - and could be slipped on and off from the saddle very swiftly, when the riders changed horses - every 12-15 miles or so, on their journey. I have begun modelling the four pouches of the mochilla (still white here), which need to "cure" a bit before proceeding any further. Once dried out, this material can be drilled, filed, sanded etcetera - rather like metal - so I can modify and tidy up my "first pass". Note that I also gave him a bed-roll - in case of a forced stoppage (lame horse etcetera) out on the trail! - Just looked right.

When it comes to painting - I'm very tempted to give him a similar coloured horse to the Trophy version - though I think the rider will be more like many of the pics that I have seen - of riders in buckskins - with similar chaps to the legs.

 

[johnnybach]

Meanwhile - I have just completed my first two repaired cowboys. As well as repairing them - to look similar to how they were originally, I have made a few alterations as well. I have tried to keep to (more or less) the same colours for shirts and neckties - but have painted the horses - well - just how I fancied!

First up is "Black Jake", now toting his pair of '45's once again. After completely stripping the figure - the missing gun was fixed into his hand by drilling into the stump - and fitting a new cylinder (milliput) and barrel (paper clip) in place with glue. When all was dry, a gentle filing and shaping - and he was ready to paint.

As there are repairs - I prefer to prime these - in order to unify the whole piece. Another addition to Black Jake ( a glaring error by the manufacturer, Timpo, in my opinion), was the addition of a pair of holsters to his gun-belt, (Made from milliput once again). He now has a black hat - instead of his grey one - and his chaps are now a lighter shade (Desert Yellow). His horse (stolen, of course) - is far too pretty for Jake - but I just thought he looked too nice to remain a rather yucky brown.

"Texas Tom" - with his rifle needed very little attention - just a straightened rifle and a good clean up generally - and he was ready to strip and repaint - although once again, a holstered pistol was added to his belt first. His somewhat odd green pistol belt was changed to brown - and his chaps became buckskin instead of dark grey! His horse required a new tail - which I obtained from dorset Soldiers spare parts department! Fixed into the hollow cavity by a pin and epoxy glue - I'm waiting for him to completely dry - and then I will varnish his rear end ( the other parts are complete). I may have a few re-touches to do later - but this first pair are all but completed - and are good as new. VERY toy-like, rather than realistic - but I like them all the more for that. . See three views below. johnnybach

 

[theBaron]

Great restoration on Black Jake and Texas Tom, John! The Pony Express rider is coming along nicely, too. For his mailbags, what's the putty you're using to sculpt? Is it Miliput, too, or another putty? I've been working with Aves Apoxie Sculp, myself, but I'm always curious to know what others do.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Great restoration on Black Jake and Texas Tom, John! The Pony Express rider is coming along nicely, too. For his mailbags, what's the putty you're using to sculpt? Is it Miliput, too, or another putty? I've been working with Aves Apoxie Sculp, myself, but I'm always curious to know what others do.

Prost!
Brad

Well, Howdy Pardner! Sure am mighty pleased you like old Tom and Jake - they sure were dogone fun to restore. Yup - the putty is Milliput - same as I always use. I usually speed up the hardening process by adding a touch of supergle to the putty when putting the sculpted piece in place ( hope that doesn't sound too affected - as I make up the objects I need by using the same technique I used to use when playing with plastecine in primary school!). Blimey - that was a dogone long time ago!

Gotta go now - the Pony Express is just a-comin' in! Yee-ha-jb^&grin

 

[blaster]

Hi JB,

I would have to say that your work is pure conversion and not restoration. And they are unique creations.

Here's an interesting thought - if one restores hollow-cast figures with solid cast parts, is it still classified as a restoration?

Rgds V

 

[johnnybach]

Actually Vic, I'm never quite sure where to put some of my threads? - Is it a re-paint? - Is it a repair? - Is it a restoration? - Is it a conversion????^&confuse

I guess the answer on most occasions - is Yes to all of the above. I like to buy damaged or well play-worn figures for the small challenge of trying to return them either to their near-original state - or (hopefully) a bit better. As we hobbyists have the considerable advantage of doing it for fun - we have the time that commercial suppliers don't have. So....we can take our time and have a bit of fun along the way by trying out different colours, maybe making the odd change in pose - adding bits on etcetera. How other people look at what I do is (relatively) un-important for me. I do it for the challenge - and for fun. Some purists, I'm sure, shudder when they see even a drop of paint added - let alone a new gun - or a holster!{eek3}

Have to say too - that I've been after that old Timpo figure "The Outlaw" for quite a while - so it was a real Eureka moment when I found him in a cardboard box - and was relatively easy to fix! He just HAD to have a black hat though - to become "Black Jake" ( I used to know a guy from work - called Jake - who had that nickname).

However, that's why I like repairing, restoring, repainting - or converting, (whatever). They we're broken or very worn to begin with - so (to my mind), they can only be improved. I actually take a deal of care that my pieces CANNOT be passed off as originals. Some of these old hollowcasts I play around with are as old ( or maybe older) than me. I will keep them until I shuffle off to the great Toy Soldier Factory in the sky - BUT - I don't want them to be passed off at some point in the future as originals, when I am no longer around. They've been jb'd!{sm2}

The answer to your question regarding adding solid parts to hollowcasts is complicated. I am replacing a missing arm from a Britains hollowcast - BUT - the original arm wasn't hollow. It is still a restoration - and I could make it EXACTLY as it was before (i.e the arm is a recast of the original). The BODY is still hollow - as before . I guess what WOULD give it away - is the re-paint. Modern paints are quite different to the older stuff.

Glad you appear to like these new ones.^&grin

As I often say to my daughters - If I can't take 'em with me - I'm not going!

 

[johnnybach]

Well - whatever label applies - here's a few more pics of how my Cowboys are progressing.

Below are two views of my repaired, repainted Britains conversion of a Cowboy to a pony Express rider of circa 1860. Not quite the finished article just yet - as he needs a few more details touching up yet - but about 90% there. He needed a new arm - which I chose to have holding a rifle. His horse needed a new tail and a front leg which were also missing. So that's the repairs sorted. Next he was stripped, primed all over with a thinned down primer - and then painted up to this point. I chose to paint his horse in a similar scheme to that of a Trophy version of this figure - which I think is just "The Biz". I painted him in buckskins though - as I have a gorgeous pic (below) - which is very like this figure. (two side views of my figure follow below - though only part-finished yet).

My last pic gives you an idea of some more figures at an earlier stage of development. The two left side figures are both by Johillco - whilst the third cowboy is another Britains. The cowboy at the rear left has a new arm and pistol - and his empty holster has been made more prominent with a dab of milliput. The figure behind the prone horse has had his originally broken off carbine extended by a paper-clip barrel extension with a dab or two of milliput for the stock. The third Britains (remarkably similar to my pony express figure, but on a non-rearing horse), has a new arm and pistol added, to replace a missing arm - whilst his horse has had a new rear lower leg grafted on to the upper part by drilling and pinning, filling and filing. I've highlighted the joint with gold paint for now, for you to see it. Once filed down and painted - the joint will disappear (hopefully!^&grin).

I guess I chose to put 'em in the "repairs" section, in this instance, - because that's what came first. jb

 

[theBaron]

I like the downed horse and cowboy especially.

"Shoot the man, not the horse. A dead horse is cover. A live horse is a great pile of panic." -- Malcolm Reynolds on Firefly.

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Brad. Yes - The John Hill & Co. downed horse with the Cowboy taking cover behind him is an unusual piece. As soon as I saw him underneath the other pile of broken bits and pieces - I thought - I'm having you! I was quite delighted to find that it was only the end of his rifle that was broken off at the hand - so not too difficult to repair, as he had the stump of the weapon - plus his hand/arm to drill into. He's going to turn out okay, I think.

I'm going to repaint the horse white - as he was originally. I thought about making him a US Cavalry type - but as he is also wearing chaps ( at the rear) thought he would be better to remain a cowboy. I'll surround him with a few Injuns - when I get back to the rest of my Westerners. That ought to keep him busy!

 

[johnnybach]

Pony Express Rider, circa 1860 is now completed. This figure is a conversion from an old, damaged hollowcast one-piece figure from the old Britains Company - probably made around 1950. His re-birth was influenced by a lovely Trophy figure, though I have put my own interpretation on how he is dressed, based on several pictures I have seen of their dress and equipment. Can't wait until I see him passing my Stagecoach - on a leg of his journey to deliver the mail! jb

 

[GICOP]

Pony Express Rider, circa 1860 is now completed. This figure is a conversion from an old, damaged hollowcast one-piece figure from the old Britains Company - probably made around 1950. His re-birth was influenced by a lovely Trophy figure, though I have put my own interpretation on how he is dressed, based on several pictures I have seen of their dress and equipment. Can't wait until I see him passing my Stagecoach - on a leg of his journey to deliver the mail! jb

Very, very nice jb {bravo}}{bravo}}{bravo}}

Cheers

Martyn

 

[theBaron]

Very nicely done, John!

Prost!
Brad

 

[thebritfarmer]

Yeeeeeee Haw !!!!!!

That looks great JB and will definitely will be a nice addition to your stagecoach.

 

[johnnybach]

Why howdy pardners, glad you approve. Martyn knows how this one came to be - as it was his posting of his beautiful Trophy version that started my search off for a similar looking figure to convert to something like it. At least the horse is a similar colour!

I'll be pulling stumps for a short while - as I'm off to find somewhere warmer for a bit. When I get back there - I'll unite him with some pardners too - and maybe show some more of my Westerners as they progress. Dont be surprised if there's a little trouble on the Reservation too!

Glad you like him - johnnybach