NEW BUILDINGS for my TOY SOLDIERS

MY COMPLETED INN and SECOND EDWARDIAN HOUSE

I've noticed several entries on blogs on home builds recently. For my part, it was time I increased the number of actual 54mm buildings I could utilise. Early this year, Graham Apperley (Tales from the Toy Room Blog) generously sent me a box of spare lead figures and also a tin lantern. Decided it was time to start work on the lantern. Here is my (almost) finished Inn, now ready to serve customers. 

Original lantern

Some Examples

I finally gained the resolve to complete my second MDF house c.1900-1939. Here we see the new owners moving in.

NEW ACQUISITIONS Some Metal farm items

Picked up two Crescent lead troughs, and also a goose(?) from the collectables shop. I actually popped in just to donate three painted plastic cowboys which were totally surplus to my collection. The owner furnished a small box of lead items and demanded I accept a swap.

ALFRED FIELD & CO ENGLISH MADE CANNON

Just spotted an auction for some cannon which I've long wondered who was the original manufacturer.  Lots of companies had been suggested by others on forums, but here we see the original manufacturer's box!

Have posted this link to the actual auction but I include the seller's description here for a more permanent record. I have several of these very small guns in my collection, and they paint up rather well as naval landing party guns. I'm no collector of boxes so I will give it a miss.

Seller's Description

"I found a box of these at the back of the store of an old shop - so in excellent unused condition.They are 7cm long, the wheels go round, made of a soft metal probably lead, ENGLAND stamped along the side. The lever at the back moves in and out - to fire a cork or matchstick (potentially lethal - do not give to small children or over enthusiastic adults...)

In 1836 Alfred Field started a hardware business in Birmingham England, and then 4 years later in New York. After he died in 1884 his son continued the business and that is when the Maple Leaf symbol appeared alongside the crane symbol...thus dating the cannons to around about this time. (Fields ceased trading in about 1933)"

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/317247753553?_skw=cannon&itmmeta=01K4SHYB4A42WBXAC2VFMEZJ4N&hash=item49dd708d51:g:ipgAAeSwBDtovFG7&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAAwFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1eWJjjrVahUi%2B4fw3tQ%2Fc48m%2BrvULIvPVg70rsv9xScc%2BbM%2BbZV7xjnI53XNX3UiYSKLq5QBOBQ0VeMgGlPcP%2F3mr7Uha75xjyP6I43mOG7UdvD5W20uS1edYr7V1aUH8M3krngOqvpK7DUJF9PdPUuaQit1qXYyIPUryUpjydiA9wUibsZfIIeVLq%2FN2J4tPkErrIuqtpKG%2Bc1er3bmmmslGYXj50PfavTTrN%2FK5iBGQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7ay-bGmZg&pfm=0

Four of mine painted for the gaming table, the green are slightly different to the red, and some of mine arrived with lead ornaments fixed to the metal pull-backs, which I have fabricated for the others.

SOME THOUGHTS ON RED DIE-CAST ARTILLERY PIECES

As a follow-on to the previous entry, I've often seen examples of die-cast artillery pieces painted red. I've also come across comments on forums suggesting the same. But are they just examples of repainted toys? I recently came across this auction which confirms they are genuine. Thought I would record it here. 

This gun was produced by Jordan and Lewden Ltd. of London. Examining the moulded carriage shows that it is very similar to green-painted examples produced by Benbros, the latter preferring cartwheels on their 1960s version. Mind you, Benbros had a reputation for near copies, to be sold at lower prices.

So red die-cast guns did exist!

For more information do visit this link. https://www.robertnewson.co.uk/articles/Riverseries.html
NO SPEEDING PLEASE

Spotted this rather nice road sign in the collectables shop. Owner allowed me to purchase it for £3.

MGB

ITALIAN UNIFICATION WARGAME (Naples, 19th Century)

                                                    A LITTLE PATIO WARGAME

Taking advantage of the fine weather, decided to fight a quick game outside. This one is set in southern Italy during the mid-19th century.

SCENARIO

A coastal fortress was garrisoned by Neapolitan troops. It comprised a commander, 4 mounted chasseurs (B class), 4 foot chasseurs (A), 4 Veteran Guards (A), 8 infantry (B), and 6 naval gunners (C).

 Unknown to the garrison commander, some locals in the nearby town had sent word to Garibaldi that they were willing to stage an uprising if suitably supported. Working together, they would then assault the fortress from the landward side, which had no heavy guns. 

Two transport ships duly arrived at the town harbour and proceeded to disembark using three rowboats. The expeditionaries comprised 2 mounted commanders, 12 redshirts (A), 12 allied volunteers (B), and a professional gun crew of 3, kindly lent by the Kingdom of Savoy (A).

The town response to their arrival was determined by the throwing of a dice.

A score of three would see a civil war in the town. More dice would indicate the level of support for each side. Those nationalists willing to actually take up arms numbered eighteen, while the Bourbon loyalists mustered twenty-one. As the pro-Bourbon Party was more numerous they would still control the town, and also had access to the local artillery piece. All armed locals had a morale rating of C.

THE FIGHTING BEGINS

MOVE ONE Being informed of the arrival of two ships flying tricolour flags, the town mayor despatched a rider to the fort with a request for help. He ordered others he could trust to hold the Mayor's residence, and also the dock. A dice was thrown to confirm the messenger was not hindered on his ride.

MOVE TWO Local Nationalists staged an uprising, and the respective partisans exchanged fire from several buildings. A nationalist was hit. The Bourbon cannon fired on the rowboats, but missed. MOVE THREE More fire, both sides losing a man. But the Bourbon artillery piece also scored a hit on a row boat. Well, it took the head off one of those onboard. Garibaldi's volunteers were not expecting an opposed landing from the town, but their resolve held.

MOVE FOUR The Bourbons in the Mayor's house suffered a second casualty, but the dockside cannon repeated a decapitation on a rowboat!

MOVE FIVE The Bourbons in the Mayor's house suffered their third casualty.

At half strength, fired upon from three sides, and only partisan class, the remaining three surrendered. They were given a severe beating, but survived (D4). MOVE SIX The Bourbon messenger arrived at the fort, the garrison commander (D6) decided to leave the veterans and naval gunners there, but take the remainder to the town.

The nationalist rowboats now reached the dock. The Bourbon partisans fired everything they had, but inflicted only two casualties.

But nationalist partisans were now approaching towards them from behind. MOVE SEVEN Garibaldi's redshirts charged the defenders, and the mayor and his followers scattered (D1).

MOVE EIGHT to ELEVEN The town was now controlled by the nationalists. MOVE TWELVE The Bourbon Regulars advanced on the Mayor's residence. They were met with fire from two buildings, causing a casualty on the foot chasseurs.

MOVE THIRTEEN The Bourbon infantry charged the lesser house, occupied by the Greyshirts. Their morale held (D6) and they delivered a fine volley, bringing down two Regulars. But the latter also continued their charge. In the following melee both sides suffered a casualty..... but the greys had the advantage of being more numerous and defending. MOVE FOURTEEN Another chasseur hit the dust. In the second round of melee the charge impact had been spent, and they lost the melee with a further casualty.

But their morale still held (D6). Realising that his command included two units that would no longer take the offensive, being half strength, the Bourbon commander ordered a withdrawal on MOVE FIFTEEN. Terms having been agreed with the enemy for a peaceful departure (D6). It was just as well as unknown to the Bourbon commander the town square would have also opposed him with two manned cannon and twelve nationalist partisans.

RESULT 

The Bourbon commander had lost half of his line infantry and foot chasseurs. A few days later he evacuated the fortress, having destroyed the garrison guns. With hindsight, the commander might have done better waiting for a direct assault on the fort? Perhaps the town mayor should have made his main stand in his residency?  

MGB

NEW MEDIEVAL BANNERS

A number of units in my Medieval collection were still using 28mm banners, painted some twenty years previous. It was time to issue new, and in a 54mm scale. Here are a few.

                                 One of my Guelph pike blocks now carries a Florentine banner.

Florence can also furnish a unit of crossbowmen.

The Ghibelline Duchy of Styria has issued a banner to their pikemen. Green is somewhat rare in heraldry.

Something for my Papal archers, this signal flag is imaginary, with Borgia heraldry.

My Venetians are now ready for action.

And finally. This old banner has been drafted to my Genoese archers, but they could also serve as English.

MGB

MY 1930s HOUSE, and more RESTORATIONS

MY LATEST SCRATCH-BUILT PROPERTY

I've been slightly concerned that my games rely on using a collection of 28mm scaled buildings.  While gaming with 54mm toy soldiers does allow a greater measure of liberty, and I will continue to use these buildings, I would like a few larger scaled. Mind you, I have neither the resolve or space to store another 'town' in another scale. 

Emailing with Graham Apperley, he mentioned using some inexpensive wood houses sold in Hobbycraft shops. It ignited my wish to have just a few 1930s English suburban houses. The sort of housing H.G. Wells would have been very familiar with, and indeed my late Nan, and so many of my aunties and uncles, although theirs were semi-detached. Here is my first, if time allows I hope to construct a second.

Nothing great, and there is always more work that can be done to such a model, but it will do the job.

Here is another under construction. The mdf houses cost £3.50 each, but I decided to buy some 1/32 scale brickwork paper elsewhere. This cost another £5, but enough for two more constructions. With paint and glue I guess my 1930s house cost about £6. My frugal Scots blood is not too aggrieved.

TYPICAL ENGLISH SUBURBAN HOUSES 1900-1939

TYPICAL SEMI-DETACHED

Footnote

These mdf houses appear to have been now withdrawn by Hobbycraft and replaced with a slightly larger version retailing at £17. Perhaps I should have bought the third they had in my local store, I like a bargain.

PLASTIC HORSES

Have painted up a couple of 1970s horses by W. Britains. With their textured bases, these will join my plastic rural collection, and will no doubt participate in my Ruritanian and Airfix WW2 wargames.

JOHILLCO LEAD HORSE

I'm rather pleased with this repaired horse. It's another addition to my traditional lead collection and slightly different from the W. Britains version which I also have.

Repair work underway

W. BRITAINS DRAUGHT HORSES

Another pair of lead draught horses. Will probably fix them to a single base and link to farm wagons and carts.

Original state

Have also completed a second goat, a very easy job.

BRITISH WW2 LMG

Found this in the collectables shop and certain to find a use. It's a W. Britains plastic figure belonging to a vehicle. Cost was £1.

SIGNPOST TO THE COLLECTABLES SHOP

Popped into the collectables shop, again. No plans to purchase anything but departed with two items on my list of wants. The first is a Johillco signpost. It looks like original paintwork, but the post is brown? All the others I have seen are entirely white with a green base. The second is a cow in a different posture to those I already have. The two items cost £6.50 and I 'm very pleased.

The old white paint is very distinct from the cattle I've repainted, so unsure what to do. 

MGB

A QUESTION FOR READERS

On visiting a charity shop I spotted a large bag of toy soldiers for £3. They were mainly Chinese copies of Airfix WW2, but it did contain a single knight. They kindly allowed me to acquire just this figure for £1. But I haven't a clue who produced it, and I'm assuming it's just a cheap Chinese toy? The figure is typical 1/32, and mixes nicely with W.Britains and others. Some careful match burning will remove any mould lines.

Well, I decided to fully paint the figure, and even added a small dagger to the belt. It has now joined a unit of heavily armoured Borgia-Papal infantry, most of which are Deetail Britains.

The end of the spear is far too flimsy, I might replace it with drilled metal, more likely to hold some paint and varnish.

REVAMPING MY MEDIEVAL COLLECTION

Decided to have a real break from housework and granted myself five hours to hobbies. My plan was to do an inventory of the medieval collection, and put it into an improved order. Painting occasional figures had produced units in a wide array of strengths, some of which were an inconvenience to remember. I wanted them adjusted to 16, 12, 8,  or 6 figures. This required several to be repainted, but mostly a change of shield designs.

Here are the Styrian pikemen, given a revamp. Eight strong, they are now awaiting their banner.

And here is the Papal armoured retinue with their finished banner. Previously nine strong, they now number twelve.

STATE OF THE COLLECTION

MEDIEVAL COMMANDERS

I wanted to base up some more foot commanders and personalities. Here is my rendition of Napoleone della Torre. He was a member of an ancient Milanese-based family, and took control of Milan in 1265. He was initially a supporter of the French nobleman Count Charles of Anjou, who headed the pro-Papal (Guelph) Party. Opposing Charles's attempts to gain more political power, Napoleone fell out of favour, and several uprisings were instigated to topple him. He decided to cross over to the Ghibelline (pro-German Emperor) Party and was rewarded in 1274 with the title 'Imperial Vicar in Lombardy'. In 1277 he was defeated and captured by Guelph forces commanded by the Visconti family, who now took over Milan. Napoleone died in an iron cage attached to the outside of the Castello Baradello tower in the following year.

This early plastic Timpo toy had a moulded turret on its shield, the perfect figure.

                     Castello Baradello, with Cage

Later Coat of Arms

MGB