CGS Household Cavalry Lifeguard

[Nap]

Hi Guys

It's a great bust .woukd love to see a officer in full cuirass and aguilettes etc and medals .....and a farrier with axe .....

Anyway .....here's a couple of great books to look out for



Nap

 

[NeilW]

Cheers mark.....like I say I’m colour blind in some colours and can’t see the changes especially when it’s highly polished.....thanks again...Kevin

I think it's the colour of the horsehair reflecting off the chrome that's affecting things... either that or you started early



I suppose we've all seen this, but always worth a look:
https://www.theguardian.com/technol...lour-illusion-the-dress-blue-black-gold-white

 

[Chezzie]

No problem mate!

 

[arj]

Very neat painting.
The chrome effect is particularly good.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[martin tabony]

The star at the base is brass, the hollow spike is white metal ( I've heard it called "German silver" ) and at the top is a brass ball, this is actually part of the plume though. I wish they were chrome, wouldn't need to clean it! Apparently there was a bunch of experimental kit tried in the 70s They tried chrome and staybright helmets, patent leather boots and plastic belts. The only thing that was kept was the cartouche box lid and some swords! I had one of the swords and where the chrome had come off the point it always looked dirty. You can't beat natural materials , that's why we were issued saybright badges and then bought our own brass versions. L.G. badge in beret and S.D. cap. H. Cav. badge in forage cap. I think the Grenadiers are still the only regiment that still gets issued a brass badge.

 

[Kevin Gibbons]

The star at the base is brass, the hollow spike is white metal ( I've heard it called "German silver" ) and at the top is a brass ball, this is actually part of the plume though. I wish they were chrome, wouldn't need to clean it! Apparently there was a bunch of experimental kit tried in the 70s They tried chrome and staybright helmets, patent leather boots and plastic belts. The only thing that was kept was the cartouche box lid and some swords! I had one of the swords and where the chrome had come off the point it always looked dirty. You can't beat natural materials , that's why we were issued saybright badges and then bought our own brass versions. L.G. badge in beret and S.D. cap. H. Cav. badge in forage cap. I think the Grenadiers are still the only regiment that still gets issued a brass badge.

Many Thanks Martin...that’s a great help...I’ll post pics of the bust when it’s finished but here’s a WIP...Thanks again

 

[martin tabony]

Many Thanks Martin...that’s a great help...I’ll post pics of the bust when it’s finished but here’s a WIP...Thanks againView attachment 358939

I've gone on guard looking worse than that!

 

[Kevin Gibbons]

I've gone on guard looking worse than that!

Lol...I somehow doubt that I’ve just shaded the tunic and the face still a lot to do ....thanks again

 

[Chezzie]

So the “Button” on the top of the plume is actually brass Martin?

 

[Chezzie]

On all the photos I found it always looked chrome so that’s really good to know! Thankyou

 

[martin tabony]

Lol...I somehow doubt that I’ve just shaded the tunic and the face still a lot to do ....thanks again

On all the photos I found it always looked chrome so that’s really good to know! Thankyou

No the small dome on top is silver. The brass ball is at the top of the spike, visible through the pat in the plume. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[martin tabony]

Just for your info. The hair is formed around a piece of (I believe) cork, which has a squared steel rod that is threaded on both ends. This rod protrudes through the top of the former and the silver dome covers this. The longest part of the rod, passes down through the hollow spike on the helmet and is held by a nut . Under the former is a brass ball, that's there to stop the top of the spike rubbing on the horse hair. And yes it is horse hair. I know a lot of people think it's nylon but I think that may have been one of the things tried in the 70s.
After washing the plume the rod is slid into a metal tube. A clean tube bandage (usually a buckshe tail bandage) has a quick release not tied then slid over the plume and metal tube and tied at the other end. Then a leather boot lace that has been left to soak is tied between the plume former and the brass ball. As the lace dries it gets tighter and shapes the "Onion" at the top of the plume.

 

[Chezzie]

Excellent thanks mate. I like understanding how things are made up.

 

[Nap]

The star at the base is brass, the hollow spike is white metal ( I've heard it called "German silver" ) and at the top is a brass ball, this is actually part of the plume though. I wish they were chrome, wouldn't need to clean it! Apparently there was a bunch of experimental kit tried in the 70s They tried chrome and staybright helmets, patent leather boots and plastic belts. The only thing that was kept was the cartouche box lid and some swords! I had one of the swords and where the chrome had come off the point it always looked dirty. You can't beat natural materials , that's why we were issued saybright badges and then bought our own brass versions. L.G. badge in beret and S.D. cap. H. Cav. badge in forage cap. I think the Grenadiers are still the only regiment that still gets issued a brass badge.

Just for your info. The hair is formed around a piece of (I believe) cork, which has a squared steel rod that is threaded on both ends. This rod protrudes through the top of the former and the silver dome covers this. The longest part of the rod, passes down through the hollow spike on the helmet and is held by a nut . Under the former is a brass ball, that's there to stop the top of the spike rubbing on the horse hair. And yes it is horse hair. I know a lot of people think it's nylon but I think that may have been one of the things tried in the 70s.
After washing the plume the rod is slid into a metal tube. A clean tube bandage (usually a buckshe tail bandage) has a quick release not tied then slid over the plume and metal tube and tied at the other end. Then a leather boot lace that has been left to soak is tied between the plume former and the brass ball. As the lace dries it gets tighter and shapes the "Onion" at the top of the plume.

Great details from Martin and very interesting ...one question if I may .....wearing full medals is that only in full mounted order ?



Kevin ....do post more WIP pics if possible the shading you've done so far looks really good particularly on the helmet

We see a bit of what looks like one of DG guardsman ...do share pics in the Completed part of PF if you wish

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[valiant]

In Victorian/Edwardian times and before, the plumes were made from shredded whalebone.

 

[martin tabony]

Great details from Martin and very interesting ...one question if I may .....wearing full medals is that only in full mounted order ?



Kevin ....do post more WIP pics if possible the shading you've done so far looks really good particularly on the helmet

We see a bit of what looks like one of DG guardsman ...do share pics in the Completed part of PF if you wish

Happy benchtime

Nap

With plates on is called "Mounted Review Order" but it was also the dress for the Garter Service street lining and the stair case party at the State Opening of Parliament When it was called "Mounted Review Order, Dismounted". The dismounted dress without plates (seen at Horse Guards) is "Front Yard Order". Because of the time it takes to change over at guard changing ceremony, the first and last stag (an hour instead of two) is with plates, other wise the sentry would have to change tunics and sword belts, adjust cross belt length, but on plates and get mounted up. The new sentry on the other hand would have to do all that in reverse as well as cleaning up such things as horse sweat off the inside of his boots and black marks from his left gauntlet. If it rains on the way down, every one is busy cleaning up! Dismounted Review Order" is without plates. Wellington boots and overalls replace the buckskins.
I've just written all that because I thought you said "metals". Doh!
Medals are worn in all these orders, They are can also be worn in No1 and No2 dress when ordered.

 

[martin tabony]

In Victorian/Edwardian times and before, the plumes were made from shredded whalebone.

I think that's a bit like the nylon to be honest. The 1841 "Albert" had a horse hair plume,as does the 1871 pattern that is still in use. The "Gentlemen at Arms" still wear the 1841 helmet but with a swan feather plume.
All the plumes are still made by a company in London. I talked to the owner a few years ago, about how he now has to source white horse hair from Mongolia!

 

[Kevin Gibbons]

Great details from Martin and very interesting ...one question if I may .....wearing full medals is that only in full mounted order ?



Kevin ....do post more WIP pics if possible the shading you've done so far looks really good particularly on the helmet

We see a bit of what looks like one of DG guardsman ...do share pics in the Completed part of PF if you wish

Happy benchtime

Nap

Thanks Kevin I’ll post some more pictures as it progresses ...the other bust is the Coldstream Guard which is moving along with the Lifeguard so will try and start a WIP Thread ...Thanks...Kevin

 

[martin tabony]

Thanks Kevin I’ll post some more pictures as it progresses ...the other bust is the Coldstream Guard which is moving along with the Lifeguard so will try and start a WIP Thread ...Thanks...Kevin

Life Guard

 

[Kevin Gibbons]

Life Guard

Bugger,Bugger,Bugger......I’llget it right if it kills me.......Lol