54mm weapon

[Steve]

Hello, Planetoids. I am in the first stages of a multi-figure diorama of fighting in Monterrey, Mexico in 1846. I am in a hurt for long arms (muskets) for my Americans; the army was in flux weapon-wise at that time and fielded a variety of weapons, mostly flintlock but also the new percussion ignition models. I need the former; American issue weapons at that period pretty much looked like the copies of various Charleville French issues, which is what they were copied from. Historex is too large as I am converting the troopies from Shenandoah confederates due to their existing shell jackets, which basically match the 1833 issue worn in Mexico. I am pretty much up on what is out there and see no quick fix to this. I'd like some input from anyone on how to solve this. Civil war muskets were by and large percussion ignition and therefore unsuitable. And yeah, I CAN convert and make copies but would rather find a ready-made source. Help. Please--Steve

 

[Anders Heintz]

Hey Steve!!

Great to see you here!

I cant help you on this one but thought I'd just say good to see you here, you should post more of your stuff here!

 

[Steve]

Hola, Anders. Whaddya mean you can't help? I thought you are a budding sculptor genius! Yeah well, I expect to have to convert and then copy, so it is no big deal. Just a LOT of that to do on this one. See ya--Steve

 

[captnenglish]

What about offerings from Andrea?

 

[Steve]

CapE--I don't know how that works...can I find a suitable weapon they make and just order a quantity? That would be great. Anyone know?--Steve

 

[John Long]

Dig around in their accessories line for starters. If you don't find what you need there, I'd say email them and do just what you suggested.

 

[Billhoran]

This may sound obvious, but why not start out with Shenandoah weapons? I use them as the basis for all my 54mm rifle conversions. To convert the Springfirld to a flintlock, you just need to rework the firing mechanism (very simple), and rework the band at the end of the stock to that used for the earlier flintlock model.

No big deal.

Bill

 

[Automata]

Bill,

Did you use converted Shenandoah pieces for your French Napoleonic figs? How much modification did they need for those? I plan to do quite a few 54mm figures and have been looking for the best way to come up with muskets. I think I'll grab some Shenandoah ones and try converting them.


Thanks,
Barry

 

[Billhoran]

Absolutely. The Metal Models and Andrea weapons are nicely made, but are just too bulky and awkward to my tastes. Shenandoah's are not as cleanly sculpted and cast as the others, but they make a more elegant and convincing weapon in 54mm. Just my opinion.

Sometimes the best solution is literally right under your nose!

Bill