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 allowed me to complete another five or six military units, serving in several collections.

Wednesday 25 November 2020

LEAD REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE (NOV.)

Picked up a few Ebay items. The first box has just arrived,  and its quite an assortment. This batch cost £22.10 including delivery. I do wonder if the Britains 1263 gun has original paint, but its such a distinctive apple green! The Britains Line infantry will join several others to form the West Essex Regiment, 1870s, before their amalgamation into the Essex Regiment in 1881. My hope is I can get away with their distinctive purple facings. I particularly like the WW1 artillery crew, and the ammunition limber. The Crescent guardsmen will be drafted.

MGB















12 comments:

  1. Great haul. That Apple Green is rather nice though would be more suitable on an Austin Healey "Frog eyed" Sprite!

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    1. MJT, I do agree, it doesn't look military to me, but the paintwork is old, and its not a repaint unless it was also paint stripped as well. Tempted to ask Brian or Paul, that occasionally visit, if they have information on this.
      Michael

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  2. Great buys , I have that gun but in khaki .

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    1. Tony, I have two batteries, one for the Americans and the other for my Spanish.models. Alll are khaki-green. But this latest one is very different. If others can confirm its original, I won't repaint it as its a novelty to have the gun in apple-green!
      Michael

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    1. Same here, Ross. Its a Britains, suspect its part of a WW1 set thats too expensive for me to afford lol.
      Michael

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  4. Obviously an experimental shade of gun camouflage, perfect for that concealed battery in an orchard ...

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    1. Mark, to be honest, I do rather like the moss-green/granny-smith colour, so I will leave it as it is. I decided to look for evidence of its use on anything Britains have produced, found nothing, although a 55mm howitzer came close, made in 1955.
      The WW1 crew are also in a good condition, so no reason to paint strip, will just fix them to larger bases.
      Michael

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  5. Nice additions to your collection! My Grandfather was in the Essex regiment during the Second World War (interesting to note that the distinctive pompadour purple facing colour was worn on their knee length socks as part of the uniform worn in the dessert). The guardsmen figures are identical to those in my late fathers collection. I look forward to seeing them in table top condition.

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    1. Thats interesting George. I can confirm the Essex was a union of the East and West regiments, the East was senior, being the former 44th regiment, so the West made up the 2nd Battalion, with county volunteers forming the 3rd and 4th battalions. Such was the pride of the old 56th having Purple facings, the entire Essex claimed the colour for dress uniforms in the early 20th century. Britains Toys made a box of The Essex, same as mine, but gave them the 1881 warrant for white facings for most English regiments..... very unpopular!
      Michael

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    2. Very interesting! I believe Granddad was in the 5th battalion. I would be unhappy with white facings!

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    3. George, the 5th to 10th battalions existed briefly during WW2.
      Michael

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