Saturday 24 September 2016

Polish Off

I have finished the 7th Lancers at last. They've only taken me nine months. The varnish has yet to completely dry on the last three, which makes them particularly shiny, but I suppose that's only to be expected from French Polish.


Der Kriegspielers and Hinton Hunt Polish Line Lancers

The figures are:

Der Kriegspielers 39: French Line chevau-légers lanciers (Regiments 7-9) x 8;
Der Kriegspielers 49: French Guard Lancers (Polish and Dutch) x 1, converted to a trumpeter;
Der Kriegspielers 49: French Guard Lancers (Polish and Dutch) x 1, coverted to a DK 39;
Hinton Hunt  FN 43: Guard Lancer, charging, x 1, converted to a standard bearer; and
Hinton Hunt FN 41: Guard Lancer Trumpeter, x 1, converted to an officer!


Der Kriegspielers and Hinton Hunt Polish Line Lancers

Der Kriegspielers and Hinton Hunt Polish Line Lancers

Der Kriegspielers and Hinton Hunt Polish Line Lancers

Many thanks indeed to all those who encouraged me to keep going when I was flagging a bit. Special thanks are also due, of course, to Steve for supplying the missing castings; and Richard, my neighbour, who found me the perfect piece of brass.

Have a splendid weekend everyone.

WM

22 comments :

  1. These models are magnificent! I just wish they were being cast commercially! Wonderful work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Many thanks Dopplebockdunkel. You're not the only one. They are very difficult to find!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fantastic - all ready for Albuera. They certainly make my Vistula boys look rather sad - another triumph - well done, young sir! The process by which you made a trumpeter from a trooper and converted another trumpeter into an officer is impressive, but suggests to the nervously imaginative that you may have done a very dark deal with Satan (or Santa, as he is known to dyslexics).

    Wonderful work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was wondering who that chap was who I met at the crossroads. It all becomes clear now.

      Doing the Vistulans has actually exorcised a demon for me, Foy. When I was a wee lad the Vistula Lancers were a source of mystery, wonder and terror. I had absolutely no idea who they were. They seemed to represent an impossible level of arcane knowledge and erudition which I could never attain.

      I have a spare figure and was wondering what to do with him. Perhaps I should have him carrying off the colours of the Buffs!

      Delete
  4. They really are very impressive looking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Matt. Lack of your actual French line lancers was the cause of it. Since I started these a few have come my way, but still not enough for a regiment.

      Delete
  5. The rest of them are as beautifully painted as the command figures. Lovely Matt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, James. It never ceases to amaze me how well these old DKs paint up. This particular crowd were really not very promising when I first saw them.

      Having said that, it remains to be seen if the regiment of charging DK cuirassiers I've got nearing the front of the queue will respond to similar treatment. They make me wince every time I look at them.

      Delete
  6. One of the most marvelously painted units of cavalry I think I've ever seen. Well and truly magnificent.

    Best Regards,

    Stokes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers, Stokes. The Vistula Lancers have got to have had one of the loveliest uniforms of all time. I doubt it'll do them much good against those vicious Prussian Garde du Corps troopers, however.

      Delete
  7. A fantastic unit,I particularly like the flag. Excellent job.

    Paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Paul. Personally I think the offside is better-looking than the nearside, but you can't have everything!

      Delete
  8. Well done Matt these are really inspirational. Its making me wonder about increasing my own Poles to 12 figures as I think I may have enough DKs to make up the numbers although some will need repairs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's definitely worth a punt, Ian. The DKs (especially the 49s) stand up really well next to the Hinton Hunts. If you find yourself short of figures, by the way, just say the word....

      Delete
  9. Wonderful stuff. You are getting quiet a collection together.

    I wish I bought more HH figures from the shop in Islington. I bought a 100 infantry for £5 back in the early 70s.

    Mark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mark. A fiver was impossible riches back in 1973, but then I was only seven!

      Delete
  10. What a splendid, and colorful, group...Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you Phil. It's nice to have a unit with a bit of panache!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Brilliant work Matt . Will you be keeping them in a display cabinet....or in a silk lined box?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The silk-lined box is reserved for the Alberken grenadiers, LG!

      Delete
  13. That made me look at the Alberken grenadiers and the ancient yellowed varnish in their crotch makes them look as though they have just wet themselves...They can probably see the 52nd coming in on their flank!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We lads from Oxfordshire often have that effect on people, LG.

      Have you ever tried to remove said ancient varnish? If I could discover how to do this safely I'd try out a bit of restoration and re-varnishing.

      Delete