When I started my Italian Wars project I knew that, with my pitifully slow painting speed and output, it would take me a decade or two to get anything meaningfully completed. Therefore, I commenced with the full realisation what I would be dipping into the secondhand figures market.
What I found was that I actually quite liked bringing very jaded and basically painted miniatures back to life. In many cases, it actually meant that I was paying less for painted figures than the bare metal and that I was getting even the most intensely renovated units finished faster than painting from bare metal/plastic.
I recognise that this is not everyone's cup of tea. However, it has meant that I can get a reasonable sized collection ready and on the table for games before I die! ... I jest, I intend to live forever!
Recently, I bought twelve mounted men at arms. Apart from the complete absence of lances and standards, having a number of chips and wear on the paintwork, and the need to rebase, I was delighted with them.
What follows are those men at arms finished and ready to play with.
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| I have given these Papal standards. I'm not sure whose figure ranges these are from. |
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| These bad boys have standards from Florence. I believe the yellow and blue one is Montefeltro, a condottiere. The knight on the far left looks a like a Wargames Foundry figure; the one on the far right has the look of an Essex miniature. Not sure about the middle two. |
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| These gentlemen have Milanese standards relating to the Sforza family. Again, I'm uncertain about the manufacturers but the one second from the left appears to be from Wargames Foundry. |
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The flags are all from Pete's Flag except the Montefeltro one, which is from Battle Flag.
They look great, nothing better than seeing old figures brought back to life. A very quick way to build up an army
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil, much quicker than if I'd painted everything.
DeleteBeautiful work sir!
ReplyDeleteCheers
DeleteAt the rapid rate at which you are fielding units, you can no longer call yourself a slow painter. I am surprised at the number of secondhand figures you are unearthing. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jonathan. I'm clearly mining a rich seam at the moment.
DeleteSplendid job, I can see refurbing becoming increasingly popular - what size are those bases?
ReplyDeleteThanks Norm.. The bases are 100mm by 60mm.
DeleteThanks, 100mm seems to hit the sweet spot.
DeleteYou have done an excellent job on these Richard. Maybe the next time you refurbish a unit, you could do a few "before" pictures too?
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith. I did with the last one. I didn't this time as it was more minor repair, arming and basing rather repainting.
DeleteThey are pouring off the production line now Richard, and all beautifully done. I think I would find it difficult refurbishing figures like this, but you do it to a great standard and the important thing is they look consistent between the different groups.
ReplyDeleteNot sure that things are pouring off the line, but it is nice to get more units ready quickly.
DeleteThey look great Richard.
ReplyDeleteA great idea to use already painted figures and tying them all together with a common basing.
Side benefit of lots of fun purchases/deliveries and time spent looking for them 😁
Very true Ben. I enjoy the feeling of anticipation.
DeleteSuperb work there Richard! I do love the sheer variety of armour and helmets in this period, alongside the wonderful flags too:).
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve.
DeleteIf you didn't have to do anything to the figures other than add lances, flags and paint over scrapes you did very well getting them for less than the bare metal cost. The variety in the unit looks really good.
ReplyDeleteI also find renovating old figures so much easier (and much faster) than starting from scratch. I think it's a mix of the colour choices already being made and lack of all that daunting bare metal.
I couldn't believe the price, Rob. They were on sale for £40. Taking Wargames Foundry as the comparison (as I could indentify some in the collection), twelve unpainted renaissance knights would have cost £68! Buying them was a no brainer.
DeleteSounds like you got a bargain, plus the lack of uniformity for the period helps out and your basing unifies them, Petes flags make every unit look great too!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
A great bargain, Iain. Pete's Flags are brilliant.
DeleteThey look fab Richard, Have you stolen Posties money tree from his garden, all these painted figures you've been buying recently?
ReplyDeleteThese were cheaper than buying the bare metal from a manufacturer!
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