Christmas Arrives Early and Unwraps a Hinchliffe Artillery Mystery

 Just in time for Christmas, a care package arrived in the mailbox all the way from across the pond.  The gift was due to the generosity of others, willing to pass on these little treasures to a good home.  Thanks to all those who helped facilitate the gift of the figures to our group of collectors, and the donation to the Military Charity for Limbless Veterans in the UK.  Y'all know who you are and I just want to express my gratitude.

These are all lovely examples of Hinton Hunt originals and they are all part of the planned expansion of the Tenant/Crenshaw collection.  There are figures for both the gunners of a French Old Guard foot and horse artillery battery, along with some marching Old Guard Grenadiers who will be converted with the addition of a little paint to Old Guard artillerists on the march.  Prince Eugene is there to lead an eventual Italian contingent, as well as some light infantry that will make a skirmish unit and help complete a combined battalion of light infantry Carabiniers, and finally, the pièce de résistance, some Duchy of Warsaw Voltigeurs!  In addition was the fun artillery piece below:

This is a Hinchliffe 20mm equipment line 10" British Howitzer.  The top one was purchased in an unopened pack, but I believe it was packed with the incorrect wheels, as the standard artillery carriage wheels would be too fragile for this beast.  In addition, the piece was likely a later Hinchliffe effort, erroneously packaged as a 25mm range piece (though clearly mislabeled in the context of the other known 20mm equipment pieces that were labelled similarly - Did the 20mm equipment line end up getting incorporated into the 25mm line?  They were packaged with red labels stapled to a small ziplock baggie, not the iconic Hinchliffe box, and clearly stated 25mm.  I purchased a half dozen different pieces on eBay from the 20mm line packaged this way.). The painted one that came with the collection above, has the more appropriate thicker and taller wheels.  

Here is how the French 12 pdr came packaged.  My guess is the code distinguished the 20mm equipment line.

These pieces are identical except for the wheels.  This angle really accentuates how anemic the standard carriage wheels look in this context.  I have some 25mm scale wheels that I can use to replace them, which is my current plan.  While it is hard to tell from this photo, I had mounted the two rear wheels on the outside of the carriage, but realized my mistake when I received the painted piece on the left.  The back carriage wheels were designed to go on the inside of the carriage, which I was able to confirm from and illustration in the book on British Artillery by James Gooding.

Additional background about the 10" Howitzer can be found in the wonderful blogpost  here: https://prometheusinaspic.blogspot.com/2014/02/napoleonic-heavy-hardware-british-10.html  The photo and link are included with the permission of the author, though he tells me he has come to doubt whether the howitzers were ever actually at the siege of Badajoz in May of 1811.

All this talk of artillery had me looking at some other pieces I have that I planned to refurbish.  I believe these are Hinchliffe French 4 pdrs from the 25mm range, but would love it if some grognard could confirm.  I hope to trim the back of the carriage just a tad so it doesn't flair, and replace with smaller wheels (I may repurpose those on the British Howitzer above).  I think doing so would make it a reasonably sized 4 pdr for the Hinton Hunt collection.  Does anyone know if the barrel shape would be typical of a 4pd Gribeauval system barrel?  It is quite different from the longer thinner barrel below.

Here is a 20mm equipment French Howitzer, 4 or 6 pdr from the 20mm equipment line, and the 25mm scale 4 pdr from the photo above. Edit - Just realized the French Howitzer on the left was also packed with the wrong wheels.  If you look closely at the pattern of the iron rims, the bolts are in the British stye.  The hub caps are also British in style, but hard to tell from this picture.  Someone must have been having a bad day!

The canon on the left is a 4 or 6 pdr 20mm Hinchliffe equipment line French canon, but according to the manufacturers list, they didn't make one.  Does anyone know if the 20mm French equipment was provided with an alternative barrel to approximate the smaller ordinance?

Here is an overhead shot where the reduced size of the barrel is more clearly visible in comparison to the 8 pdr on the right.  The Hinchliffe barrels are very distinctive since they are not cast with a trunnion, so I have little doubt that both of these are original Hinchliffe 20mm scale barrels.

Note the absence of a French 4 or 6 pdr.

Lastly, I have discovered a wonderfully fun new game  called Never Mind the Billhooks, thanks to a fellow wargamer.  It was nice to try a new period and gaming system, so now I am busily looking into whether or not my miniatures for the battle of Grunwald would be a good fit, despite the slightly earlier time period.  Yet another costly delay on the way to Mesas de Ibor...

Beautiful troops and terrain all courtesy of my friend

Divisional Command and Those Yet to Come

 While getting the Spanish artillery prepped and ready for painting, to my shame, I noticed the command figures languishing on my desk, that have been there far too long.  In between base coats of paint for the artillery, or maybe instead of, as I am not fond of the initial color blocking phase, I hope to sneak in some long overdue command figures.  I started off well, by finishing up the Spanish command and a brigade commander for the French.

I also managed to get these chasseurs mounted up in skirmish order.  They were no longer required as I found some Alberken light infantry figures that were a perfect match for the battalion that these used to be a part of.

These are Der Kriegspielers, and as much as I like to poopoo DKs, sometimes they paint up right nice.  They are actually a better 1/72 scale match for most plastic ranges than the Hinton Hunt figures.

All of these had broken bayonets, so what better use than a skirmish unit.

This gentleman was sitting around unloved on my desk, which was a shame given his pedigree as a genuine Hinton Hunt casting.  He was prepainted, though poorly, so this was actually a major repaint.  He wasn't so bad that I felt like he need to be stripped of the old paint, but almost all of the paintwork is new with the exception of the horse.

He is representing GdB Balthazard Grandjean, who will actually be commanding three German state battalions (2 of which are yet to be painted - Wurtemberg and Hesse-Darmstadt)

The blue and gold sash really helps to set off the distinguished look of this figure.

These were the gentlemen who really got me heading down the path of finishing up the command staff.

The central figure commands the 4th Army's Galacian Division, and is flanked by his two brigade commanders.

Mariscal de Campo Pedro de la Bárcena

Bárcena is a Minifig s-series casting that was a gift from my dear friend Terry Webb.  I am very pleased to have finally given him the respect he deserved and finished his paint job.

He reminds me of Wellington in a way in the simplicity of his long blue overcoat.

I have no doubt this figure was modelled on a painting by Denis Dighton, used as an illustration in this article: https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/battle-of-barrosa-siege-of-cadiz-savage-encounter-spain/ 

This fancy gentleman is a new addition to the command and is made from a Der Kriegspieler casting, that frankly, has seen better days.  He ended up quite dashing however, especially with his red and gold saddle trim and colonel's stripes above his brigadier cuff lace. 

The obligatory Spanish moustache

The Brigadier of the 2nd Spanish brigade was one of Dick Tennant's original HH figures.

Dick left the epaulets on this figure and gave him silver trim, but I have only seen silver used for staff officers, but even now, Spanish uniforms are tough to really understand and Dick may have had a good source.  I have not seen epaulets on a general however, as typically the rank was designated by a wide strip of lace on the cuffs, and collar.

In the end I decided to just leave him as is in a gesture of respect for the work DT did.

Artillery has been primed and given a thinned brown coat to bring out the raised detail.

Polish commanders, Jan Kanopka of the Vistula Lancers and Pierre d'Autancourt, who was the defacto Colonel of the 1st Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard. These two figures are Art Miniaturen sculpts.

Lastly some lovely Franznap sculpts of Marshal Bessiers and his Aides.

Till next time,

Happy Holidays and take care of each other.

Frankensteining an Old School Spanish Artillery Battery

In preparing a Spanish army to recreate the battle of Mesas de Ibor, during which a small Spanish division fought the German division of the French army, I decided it was time to add some artillery.  The German's are ready, so it is the turn for the Spanish.  The Spanish I have are late war figures around 1812-13, in British style uniforms, so I will be using those to represent the Spanish at Mesas de Ibor, even though that battle took place in 1809.  I have just finish two infantry regiments, but they need some artillery support.  Hinton Hunt did not make Spanish artillery, but fortunately the late war Spanish artillerymen wore French style uniforms, so some simple conversions are possible.  The battery below is made from a mish mash of parts from different manufacturers, but all together they appear to make a coherent whole.

I believe the battery above consists of parts from five different manufacturers; Dave Clayton recasts of Hinton Hunt figures, Der Kriegspieler, Hagen, Franznap, and SHQ!

The draft horses are Der Kriegspieler castings.  I have added some twisted wire "traces" which will be cut to size and attached to the limber. 

The front pair of horses have been fitted with Franznap traces which are cast with the wooden single tree already attached.

The riders are French line artillery train riders with a British artillery train rider's head.

The French artillerymen are the closest I come to genuine Hinton Hunt miniatures.  These were cast and sold by Dave Clayton.  The Hagen gun is a bit oversize, but still not totally out of the realm of reality.

Dick Tennant always modelled the artillerymen march as well as deployed for action so I will do the same.  Here is a mix of two Der Kriegspieler miniatures and two Dave Claytons.

Here is how the draft horses will be arranged around the central yoke of the limber.

The limber itself is an SHQ casting with a few modifications, including a suggestion of a yoke pole (I really don't know the proper name for all of the horse harness and limber parts) at the front to which the Franznap singletrees will be attached.

All of the parts above are cleaned of mold lines and ready for priming.  This should keep me out of trouble for a couple of months at least!

6.º Regimiento de Infantería de Marina

Richard Tennant's Last Regiment - 6.º Regimiento de Infantería de Marina

Dick's health was failing, but he managed to complete his planned forces shortly before he passed away (some 2800+ miniatures).  I can only hope that working on these provided some joy as he battled cancer.  Even while sick, his meticulous attention to detail was manifested on these figures in hand painted anchors on every ammunition pouch, and hand lined their water casks!  His one concession, was that he left the flag for me to do, and I believe, simply forgot to paint the reinforcing bands on the muskets, as he had done in all of his other Spanish units.  It was my absolute pleasure to add the finishing touches as well as some shading and highlighting, and bring his final regiment to completion.

https://miniatureminions.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-richard-tennant-collection.html

https://miniatureminions.blogspot.com/2020/12/55-years-from-start-to-finish-tennant.html

Below is the description Dick provided of the uniform he chose for the 6th Marines:

I had managed to find a website about Spanish Marine battalions, but I was not sure

of the authenticity of the illustrations. I wanted them to stand out from the other

Line battalions so decided to give them black cross-belts; the pack, including straps

and the musket sling are in a buff/light tan colour. Whereas the Line battalions had

coloured tapes on their shakoes, the marines have black leather; there was no

distinction (grenadier, centre & light) between companies which have red plumes.

The rest of the uniform is totally blue with brass buttons.

The 6th Marines with their new Colonel, converted from the Division General, a staff officer and Aide de Camp.  A new divisional commander is on my painting desk currently.  I was extremely pleased with the new hand painted paper flag.

Here you can see Dicks work on the ammunition pouches and water casks.  So much attention to detail!

The big 36 figure battalions have just enough room for the Colonel to shelter inside when formed in square.

The Colonel gets a visit from the divisional staff officer and General Bárcena's Aide de Camp. 

Unfortunately I have not been able to find a list of the Colonels actually leading the regiments of the Galician Division of the 4th Army.

The French Marshal's baton has been converted to a telescope and his epaulets removed, otherwise the figure was a great fit for a Spanish Colonel.

The two will accompany General Bárcena once he is completed.

Four more Spanish regiments to go before I start painting some more Spanish additions to Dicks original 6 regiments.