SPECIAL THANKS. I would like to thank Paul Watson for his sponsorship of several lead figure collections on this blog. Having decided to clear his spare/surplus figures, he generously forwarded them on with no other requirement than they deserved to be restored. I would also like to mention George S. Mills, who kindly furnished a quantity of plastic figures which greatly enhanced several collections.

Friday, 2 October 2020

SACRAMENTO HUSSARS c.1880

My late 19th century United States army includes some colourful National Guard and State Militia formation. Here are the Sacramento Hussars from California. These lead castings, made by Johillco, were picked up cheap but in a very bad way, with broken horse legs, missing heads, etc,. but they are now ready for active service.
MGB
(Campaign news, this cavalry unit is presently on a training exercise in Washington State)





 




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8 comments:

  1. tradgardmastare2 October 2020 at 13:33

    Lovely figures in splendid uniforms. How do you go about mending the legs of the horses? I would be interested in hearing what you do as I find it very challenging. There is something very satisfying indeed about repairing figures and getting them ready to fight once more.

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    1. MGB2 October 2020 at 14:36

      Hi Allan, a fine drill, steel wire or rods, milliput, a sharp knife, it does take a few days to complete but the end result is as strong as the original lead or pewter.
      Michael

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  2. The Good Soldier Svjek2 October 2020 at 13:51

    You've done a good job renovating them , a great looking unit .

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    1. MGB2 October 2020 at 14:37

      Thank you Tony, it was a satisfying project.
      Michael

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  3. Ross Mac rmacfa@gmail.com2 October 2020 at 15:13

    Nice work!

    Oddly enough I was recently scanning images for inspiration for a 4th "Rebel" cavalry unit. I saw these lads and thought, "The Red army has Blue hussars, maybe the Blue army should have Red hussars." They'll have to battle it out with lancers and dragoons in plumed helmets for the spot though.

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    1. MGB2 October 2020 at 15:38

      Always visiting your page for some colourful 54mm battles.
      Michael

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  4. Brian Carrick3 October 2020 at 14:30

    That's an interesting and colourful unit, did they ever see any action?

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    1. MGB3 October 2020 at 17:23

      Hi Brian, some 19th century State National Guard units occasionally served as armed police. A few sent volunteers to the Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War in 1898. Those units still serving after 1900 might have been actually operational in the World Wars. Concerning this unit, it was more like a volunteer association given State registration, but only stayed in that capacity for about ten years before disbanding. But it does add some colour to my American Army of the late 19th century.
      Michael

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