Thursday 28 September 2017

Are these napoleonic war Shako's really what the seller describes?


Garde d'Honneur Shako?


I have a penchant for perusing stuff for sale online.  Here are a couple of eye wateringly expensive things that an antiques dealer has on ebay.

The first they describe as a Rare 1813-1814 Napoleonic Wars Chasseurs Of The Imperial Guard Shako  (take care clicking through on the link - it's quite absorbing!)

Obviously the Chasseur a Cheval of the old (and young?) guard wore busby type headgear. 

Is this more likely to be for Gardes d'Honneur (a la these lovely Perries). Initially I thought the cockade was wrong but if you look closely on an enlarged picture it could well be Imperial French Colours.  

Also, given that the Garde d'Honneurs tended to be wealthier families I can see these shako's having an improved chance of surviving, given that the owners may have plenty of space to store and people to look after them.

So what about shako two? 



Same dealer but this time they describe it as  Extremely Rare 1806–1808 Kingdom Of Naples And Sicily Joseph-NapolĂ©on ~ Bonaparte Shako.  there are lots of lovely big pictures on the listing.  

This one shows the front - which really does look to me like a Russian Shako plate - but this isn't a specialist area of mine.  

I love the tone and quality of the leather and it does have the look and feel you might expect of something 200 years old. 

Below thought is my favourite picture - which shows the net that keeps the helmet on the head - very similar to the webbing inside WW1 and WW2 helemts.



Any thoughts on what they might be greatly appreciated.

 

Thursday 21 September 2017

Saturday 16 September 2017

How to replace broken or brittle plastic lid on Wargames Foundry paint pots

After a few years the lids on Wargames Foundry and Coat d'Arms and Formula P3 and similar paints can become brittle and break.

It's not only messy, it is also expensive if the paint spills or dries up.

Below is a very quick video on how you can fix this.



You will need to buy some replacement lids.  Here are some links on where to buy them. You are looking for lid only for a 20ml plastic paint pot.

I bought a bunch extra and in the uk you can buy them here. UK is post free for a set of 48 lids, there are alos some sheets of pre-printed replacement labels you can add.

You can also buy empty pots on amazon with this link.

Have fun 

Up date: Wargames Foundry now stock these if you're buying other figures from them and have already covered postage they make sense costs wise






Can you identify these 28mm figures for me please

One pulp pilot, another looks like Saladin and three are various - including a very portly wizard.




Sunday 10 September 2017

The only Victoria Cross won on D Day - a visit to the Green Howards Museums

I was working in North Yorkshire a week or two ago and got some time to pootle through the beautiful market town of Richmond.

On the market square is the Green Howards museum.  £4.50 for entry. It is small but really good.

The one room that takes you a-back is the medal room.  Wall to wall medals, including the only VC won on D day,  the citation for CSM Stanley Hollis reads:

War of the Roses, late medieval figures for auction - 28mm Wargames Foundry ex Citadel figures

I love these figures - but I'm having a bit of a clearout.

Three auctions all starting at a very low first bid  of just £1

32 pike
ebay.to/2fbjy2H


 21 x men at Arms
ebay.to/2wSOtdK


and

18 Archers
 ebay.to/2wSurzO



Good luck if you bid - I always combine postage, but you need to let me send you an invoice if you win more than one lot.

Selling - 28mm Young Guard - Flanquer Chasseurs Painted 2 battalions

  Here's the link if you want to have a look :  They're the fab green uniforms (with higher officer wearing their blue Middle Guard ...