Danish, Mecklenburg, Prussian, and Ruritanian Toy Soldiers

Recently received a packet of lead-cast heads from Irregular Miniatures, and having also home-cast some more of my own, have completed a fair number of figures which were otherwise painted, based, and varnished. 

First up is Prince Rudolf of Ruritania in his new staff car. The figure is a home-cast which I have converted into a seated position.. The attendant in the white uniform was the master of ceremonies in the palace ball, it is also the last metal figure from that cheap box of castings I picked up some months ago. The driver is a converted plastic marine, which arrived in the recent box of plastic toy soldiers.

original standard bearer, and driver.

Next up are some plastic herald guardsmen converted into Mecklenburg dragoons c.1848. They will be serving against my Danish army.

Here we see some Danish sharpshooters or Jaeger. Again, these are converted plastic guardsmen. And a nice contrast to the red coated Danish line infantry.

Three old lead figures have furnished a Prussian artillery crew for my howitzer.

And here are some plastic guardsmen now wearing the uniform of the Ruritanian military band, drafted to serve as an artillery crew for Prince Rudolf. All my Ruritanian representations are linked to uniforms that appear in the Prisoner of Zenda movie of 1952.

Outrider for my Prince Michael's Artillery company, making a crew of four.

Original drummer.

PART TWO

Recent acquisitions. From a second hand shop picked up this Ford Pick-up F-100 1956 die-east, made by Sunnyside Toys of Hong Kong, not sure when. The real vehicles was manufactured during 1948 to 1983. I also picked up this nice Matchbox trailer, made in 1978. Both items cost 50p each. Will need to fabricate the rear hatch and some wing mirrors.

Two more items from the collectables shop, one for my potential garage model. The shopkeeper kindly granted some discount, they cost £7 in total. As a Londoner of the 1970s, had to have the bus stop.

MGB

Replies to recent comments recorded below.

Thanks MJT, I must admit the staff car and Rudolf's gang have worked out very nicely. It will enhance what is a colourful but quite small collection. Yes, I spotted the bus stop and had to have it..... totally out of place for my wargaming periods, but who cares, lol.

Thank you, Brad. I have enjoyed returning to armies that don't wear drab coloured uniforms, lol. I still need some spares from Langley for near twenty old lead figures, a mixture of heads and arms. Most are connected to the Schleswig-Holstein Wars. I will then decline further projects and get to play a few wargames, mainly 19th century and Ruritanian.

Cheers Donnie. It is always nice to clear some projects, some of the headless figures have been hanging around for at least six months. Have just this moment discovered the bus sign is a post WW2 Tri-ang toy, part of their Spot-On range, code L130/7, listed as 1/42 scale (not that I care). And the design is fine for British bus stops of the late 1930s, according to one photo I found. So I will add it to my British toy town for sure.

Cheers Q. Blow me if the rain hasn't stopped today, Saturday. Might try and set up the table for a war-game! 

That's very kind Quinn, as I have mentioned elsewhere, it was a pleasure for me to return to the bold colours of the 19th century, the 20th century uniforms are so dominated with mud-brown uniforms. Have just this minute finished a test war-game in the garden (a sunny Saturday!). It involved gunboats and a redoubt. The Danish Navy engaged the Schleswig Volunteers. I can confirm it was a pleasure, great fun, and a working system. Will upload the photos in a few days.

CIVIL WAR in RURITANIA

Set in the central European kingdom of Ruritania in 1870, this is a small action involving the armies of Crown Prince Rudolph and his half-brother Prince Michael. Now, it must be said, in the original book, and in all the subsequent films that have been produced under the title 'The Prisoner of Zenda', all sympathy and allegiance has been given to Rudolph. After all, he is the rightful heir to the throne. However, the original book acknowledged that Michael was actually more popular with the population. Indeed, it is clear he always carried out his state duties with energy and dedication. While his idle half brother preoccupied himself with shooting anything with four legs, and consuming the nation's grape production. So, for a change, I openly declare my allegiance to my namesake, Prince Michael the Dark, the man that will truly serve the Crown and People of Ruritania, or die fighting in their defence!

Aware that his half-brother was gaining in popularity and might just threaten Rudolph's control of the treasury, and not forgetting the palace wine cellar, the Crown Prince ordered those regimental commanders he still trusted to meet him at Zenda Railway Station. From there, he would personally lead his army against the Castle of Zenda. and destroy all potential opposition to his rule. 

But Good Prince Michael had friends in high places, and forewarned, he called upon those that honoured his late father, the King, to join him at Castle Zenda, where, God Willing, the dignity of the realm might still be saved. By the way, the original book also confirmed that Michael was the more popular son of the late king!

MOVE ONE. The train arrived with Rudolph and his White Guard. Here, he took command of four battalions, and a company of artillery. There was a slight delay in their moving off, however, when Rudolph resolutely occupied the station's cafe.

MOVE TWO. Prince Michael hurriedly deployed two loyal battalions, and his own cavalry regiment to the South of Castle Zenda. He ordered the fearless Count Rupert to hold the castle, with the Zenda regiment, and an artillery piece. A band of armed farmers and smallholders also demanded that they should be allowed to aid Michael in his honest cause, and promised to give Rudolph a bloody nose. Michael thanked them for their support. 

MOVE THREE, Rudolph's advance picked up pace. Some of his Jaeger (grey/green) surprised Michael's own regiment (buff/red), but inflicted no casualties. MOVE FOUR saw the partisans surprise the rear of Rudolph's main force, and inflicted a casualty. While skirmishers in the front of the main force now exchanged casualties. There was also the first artillery round fired, on Michael's infantry. 

MOVE FIVE saw Rudolph's infantry (blue/blue) suffer further casualties from the partisans, but not much else. MOVE SIX saw the infantry charge the partisans behind a high hedge, suffering further casualties in their charge. But they made almost equal slaughter of the partisans in the subsequent melee. No one could blame the partisans for now scattering. MOVE SEVEN confirmed that over half the daylight had been expended, and Rudolph's main force were still bogged down in the highway. Time was now against them, night fighting or a siege was not part of the plan. Rudolph decided to cease firing his gun, and ordered a general advance. MOVE EIGHT brought more bad news, his skirmishers on his right flank had suffered two casualties from the castle gun and some kind of multi-firing rifle contraption. He also received word his jaeger were nearly down to half strength. If they broke, what next would follow?

MOVE NINE. Crown Prince Rudolph ordered his troops to retire back to the railway station, where a supply of grape juice had been stored for him, purely for medicinal purposes.

CASUALTIES

Rudolph's Army suffered nine casualties out of fifty-five. Michael's army lost two infantry and three partisans out of fifty-two. (This was a fun game, and my first outing for my Ruritanian collection. Had to borrow some artillery crew from other collections, but all the others are based on uniforms seen in the 1952 film starring Stewart Granger, James Mason, Deborah Kerr, Robert Douglas, and many other great character actors. 

MGB

RURITANIAN ARISTOCRACY

On a flying visit to Castle Zenda, Crown Prince Rudolph has decided to visit his half brother, Prince Michael. While there, no doubt, he will wish to sample the local grape produce. Also in attendance was Count Rupert of Hautzau. All uniforms are based on the 1952 movie Prisoner of Zenda. 

Here is Crown Prince Rudolph (Stewart Granger).

Here is Crown Prince Rudolph being assisted to walk.

Here is Prince Michael, Count of Strelsau (Robert Douglas). In my humble opinion the rightful and best suited ruler of Ruritania. Was he not always the most loved son of the late king (confirmed in the book). Do you ever see Prince Michael carrying out his duties in a state of intoxication? Ask the ordinary people, who would they prefer to be their king!

And here is the ever-so-brave Rupert, Count of Hentzau (James Mason). 

In keeping with the good order and zeal which Prince Michael injects into all his works, here is his own regiment of Stelsau Cavalry.

Also on active service, still dressed in mourning for the late monarch, two members of the Black Guard Cuirassiers (from the 1922 movie). These guards have taken a vow of silence (lol)!

With the coronation approaching, it is hoped that the transfer of the Crown will be peaceful, and orderly, God Save the King!

(All character figures are a real hotchpotch, made from bits in my spares box, and milliput.)

MGB