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.
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)"
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!
Spotted this rather nice road sign in the collectables shop. Owner allowed me to purchase it for £3.
MGB
Fascinating stuff on the Guns MGB, Robert has one of mine at the moment, which he's looking into (previously unseen box), there are quite a few, they all look like the Lone Star one, until you compare them closely, then realise there are about half-a-dozen different ones! Obviously they all copied the guy who copied Lone Star, who made theirs suitably different from the Britain's ones! And the little 'penny toy' one, who hasn't had one of those thought their hands? . . . They must have a made a million!
ReplyDeleteH
Thanks Hugh. I strongly suspect you are right for both of the guns I mentioned. There must have been several companies making those 7cm penny cannon, that would explain why my green versions having different moulding on the trail, and a different type of lead ball on the pull-back spring. The green wheels are also the same size but without the four studs at intervals seen on my red and also the AF&S, the green having only one stud at intervals. Wonder if anyone has truly categorised these penny guns?
DeleteMichael
Cracking job on the houses MGB - the Inn from a Lantern is a really nice conversion.
ReplyDeleteI confess, MJT. I came close to closing the project. I just wasn't sure it would be worth the effort, but by adding the stiff card extensions, I 'm pleased I did. Longing to set them up on some terrain boards!
DeleteMichael
I'm glad you persevered because it looks fantastic 👍
DeleteThanks for the morale boost!
DeleteHard to believe what your inn started out as, cracking modelling and that and the house are very well done and good additions for your games. Very interesting read about the guns, really a lot of knowledge gleaned there.
ReplyDeleteCheers Donnie. A good grey primer, some roof tile work, and some irregular extensions has made a useful addition to the gaming table. I mentioned to Hugh, someone should classify those 7cm penny guns.
DeleteMichael
Your buildings are beautiful Michael, so detailed! Very interesting about the small guns, perfect for landing parties! The red gun is wonderful, but I really love the box that it came in! A marvelous name and illustration, what child could resist that? Thank you for another great post!
ReplyDeleteTruly, Brad, I came very close to buying the penny guns and also the red gun but then I realised my collection is for the gaming table. I don't collect original packaging, though I love to see it in other peoples collections. And pleased that others are making cabinet displays using them.
DeleteMichael
Excellent buildings ready for Mr H G Wells to pop round (and the Martian War Machine Tripods to reduce to ashes- Uuulllaaaa!)
ReplyDeleteThe Alfred Field of Birmingham box is interesting in view of the amount of metalwork, gunsmiths and jewellery quarter trades and craftmanship once there, still visible as ghost mark signs or otherwise preserved there.
Mark, you and I are part of the generation that was inspired by Jeff Wayne's musical. I remember going into a Woolworths store after school, and there were Christmas decorations, must have been 1978, and they were playing the record....... and with the wonderful Richard Burton's voice-over!
DeleteMichael
I really like how your former lantern turned into a propper 54mm scale house. According to the prototype photos, it seemed to be predetermined to be named 'The Railway Inn'. Well done Michael!
ReplyDeleteThanks Roger, I thought it would make a nice addition to have my toy inn near the railway buildings, so the name seemed most appropriate. There is also one about a mile away from my home, too! Still some work to do on the inn, but it is essentially ready for using.
DeleteMichael
Michael you have worked your magic again! Love the Inn and your work on the wooden houses puts mine to shame. Keep up the fantastic work. I am about to do some work on a couple of my own buildings and if they turn out half as good as yours I will be pleased!
ReplyDelete