Those Cuman Warriors become Boyar Cavalry

As a follow on to the last post, I have now painted up those Cuman tribal warriors that formed a large part of the successful Ebay bid. With appropriate shields and a new green banner, they now form a sixteen figure strong unit of Lesser Boyars, or possibly Druzhina. For war-game purposes, I will classify this unit as less armoured when compared to the higher class Boyars (nobles). I include a photo of the latter as they too have gained a new orange coloured banner. The Cumans are Essex Miniatures, and I'm pleased with the castings, they mix perfectly with my Hinchcliffe Muscovites. MGB (ps. its a bit difficult to take photos presently as the table is covered in an on-going AWI war-game with a member of my family.)

More Muscovite/Cossack Cavalry completed

A recent Ebay purchase furnished me with 37 Essex-made Cuman, Pecheneg, Byzantine, and other tribal figures, supplied with 28 suitable horses. The whole lot delivered came to £35, a real bargain. Only one mounted figure turned out to be a lost cause, and two horses needed paint stripping. Most of the others were bare metal, and in excellent condition. The Pechenegs have now been painted up and based, and have received a Cossack banner with an appropriate design of a composite bow. These figures are really quite useful, they can serve as Balkan tribes, Byzantine allies, early Cossacks, medieval Hungarians, the list goes on. Several more Byzantine and armoured Arabs have been drafted into the Muscovite Boyar horse archers, and they now muster two units of eight. All these figures are based as skirmishers. MGB

54MM TOY KNIGHTS, Crescent, Timpo, Britains, and Chinese

I've had some real success, and pleasure researching the history behind some very old 54mm toy knights. Some time ago I purchased a bag of common CHINESE plastic knights. To be honest, I did not think much of them, while the sergeants were fair, the fully armoured were poor, and all needed additional basing. So I decided to purchase, off Ebay, some 1970s BRITAINS, to form the basis of a gift to my Grandnephew, Young Oliver. Now the latter castings arrived needing new weapons fortunately, replacements are available. Job done! Subsequently, in a charity shop, I purchased a single plastic knight for 20p. This turned out to be a 1960s SOLID TIMPO, and I really enjoyed restoring this figure. Also picked up for a total of 80p two lead mounted knights, and I could tell these were old. They are CRESCENT figures and date to the early 1950s. I will only carry out a slight restoration, where necessary, as these are very rare. Well, I've painted and based the best of the CHINESE figures, and they aren't bad, I will add them to the superb BRITAINS. And now, having just arrived, a box of twenty 1960s CRESCENT plastic knights seeking restoration. For reasons unknown, I was the only bidder and picked them up for a delivered total of £5, they normally go for somewhat more. This has been a fun diversion from my 28mm war-games figures, and I love giving the painted a gloss varnish. Note, BRITAINS, CRESCENT, and SOLID TIMPO were all made in England. MGB

PHOTOS: 1. BRITAINS 2. SOLID TIMPO restored 3. SOLID TIMPO original 4. CRESCENT lead 5. CHINESE painted sergeants 6. CHINESE painted knight 7. CRESCENT plastic

The Ebay Horse Archers are Prepared

Work on completing the recent Ebay purchase has started well due to the very little flash on these Essex figures. Most had no flash whatsoever and only faint mould lines. Unfortunately, the painted horses did have some tough resin-like glue on their bases and also where the saddle would have been affixed. Removing this stuff led to some bare metal and I was obliged to spray prime these areas, but these horses are now looking good. Not bad for a single day's work. Looking through the horses, I can now assess which looks best with what figures. And I can also see how these castings will form new units, or be drafted into others. The Cuman helmeted figures came with a sock holding two throwing spears, I won't need these weapons for my planned Lesser Boyars (sixteen strong) but nor will I put them in the melting pot as they will be easy to convert into useful quivers. The Pechenegs will become Cossack horse archers (mustering twelve) and the Ebay purchase included enough step ponies for this unit. The remaining eleven figures have all found homes in some of my established cavalry formations, being able to draw on spare horses already painted and based. MGB

As a footnote, I spotted these two lead 54mm medieval knights in a charity shop toy bin, costing only 40p each. I believe they date back to the 1950s or even earlier. Would like to find out more about these figures before any decisions on whether to restore them, its a project for the future. MGB

MY BEST EBAY PURCHASE, BY FAR

I've had some real success on Ebay recently. Picked up a load of Essex figures and horses for the delivered total of £35. The figures are a mixture of Cumans, Pechenegs, and a few heavily armoured Byzantines and arabs. They came with a full range of horses, many of which arrived with some enhancing paintwork. In my estimation, the Pechenegs would not look out of place as early Cossack horse archers, while the armoured Cumans will make some useful Muscovite Druzhina or lesser Boyars. Some of the others can serve as standard bearers, or drafted into my Tartar horde. MGB

Asquith's Cuirassiers

My latest acquisition is somewhat distinct from previous purchases. Costing £23.00 from a seller on Ebay, I have just picked up this small unit of 17th century cuirassiers. These will now serve as Swedish or Muscovite cavalry, as required. Now I have no intention of repainting or altering these 'Warrior?'castings as they were previously part of Stuart Asquith's collection. I've been inspired since the 1970s by this gentleman's wargaming books and articles, I even briefly corresponded with him in the 1980s, so I am VERY pleased to now have this unit of cavalry in my collection. MGB

The Preobrazhenski Guards, 1st Moscow, and Novgorod Streltsy

Some new recruits for the Tsar are now ready for service. In their green coats are the Preobrazhenski Guards c.1700, still wearing streltsy type uniforms. The 1st Moscow Streltsy have gained an additional twelve figures, making a total of thirty (1,500 men). Some spare figures have been formed into a small garrison unit and given light-red coats, they carry a Novgorod flag. While the blue streltsy unit continues as a baggage guard, they have now received a Pskov flag. This makes seven streltsy regiments for the field army with a further two smaller units serving in a reserve capacity. Surely now there is enough to take on the Tartar-Ottoman alliance. MGB

Field Day for My Muscovite Mercenaries (or Swedish?)

Although a fair number of figures have been recently completed I will only post them up when their flags have been issued. Pleased to have completed eighteen musketeers for my second 'German' regiment serving the Muscovite State. Being mercenaries, however, you will not be surprised to know I have some alternative command bases (just waiting for their flags), so these two regiments might just find themselves serving the King of Sweden. What do you expect, they are mercenaries! Also, my Muscovite baggage train has gained an artillery limber, and several civilian drivers have been newly employed. MGB

Eastern European retinue/civic militia 14-15th Century

I had six Wargame Foundry mounted crossbowmen in my collection which were somewhat surplus to my Iberian medieval armies. Thought they might serve as Eastern European sergeants if integrated with other castings. Hinchcliffe produce a similar figure described as 'Polish retinue', so I decided to purchase ten figures and increase this unit to sixteen. Here are a few photos showing the end result, I note that Gripping Beast also list several Russian crossbowmen styled 'city militia', might like to get a few. MGB

More Muscovite flags, and Clergy

Quite a lot of work on my collections but surprisingly little in a finished state to upload. However, have completed two flags for my Muscovite 'German' mercenary regiments. A suitable 'imaginary' banner for my Khazar heavy cavalry. The Czar's banner is now carried by the Guard cavalry. And I had some fun casting and converting this Orthodox priest, and mounting it on a spare horse from that batch of second-hand figures recently purchased. Expect some campaign news very shortly. MGB

Muscovite Boyar Commander and Musician

Among the twenty-six second-hand 'Asiatic' castings recently purchased was a strange looking figure, possibly an Essex miniature, representing a Mamluk cavalryman? At a loss how to utilise it, I realised a need for an additional Boyar to complete a unit to sixteen, and a musician would look particularly good. A quick swap of heads with an Ottoman Azab (secured with metal pins and superglue), the filing away of the baggy trousers to imply riding boots, then drill and fix a trumpet, and the result is quite fair. There was also another rather poorly painted warrior, which offered a potential commander for my early boyar cavalry, if completely repainted. Here is a few photos. I enjoyed these restorations. MGB

Russian Watchtower and timber house

As a break from painting figures, decided to reduce my store of card etc. Have converted an earlier medieval siege tower into a Russian watchtower, and also constructed a timber cottage for my Eastern European games. MGB