WIP Drummer Boy, Colesberg, 1900

[valiant]

Hi Guys,
some more pics of my current project. Still a lot to do, the basics are all in place. Epaulettes, pockets, seams, etc are missing yet, those are tomorrow's jobs!
Hope you like it so far!
Steve

 

[elanlane13]

Steve, A very interesting piece, you have captured the pose very well.

 

[pokrad]

Steve, A very interesting piece, you have captured the pose very well.

And the child face too

 

[mil-mart]

Steve , great sculpting and looks like you've got the proportions spot on for a young lad . What scale is it.?

Cheers Ken

 

[Gra30]

Lovely work drummers and buglers are my favourite
Just one thing and you may probably know so apologies, the tension of the drum is made by pushing the leather buffs down, the metal parts on your drum.
As they are there is no tension on the skin so you could possibly lower them slightly if you wanted, the further towards the bottom the tighter the skin. It's not wrong though as the skins are relaxed at times but not normally when in use.
As said apologies if you know this or you are basing it on a specific image.
Best wishes and looking forward to seeing more
A great piece
Gra

 

[valiant]

Rob, Ken, Pokrad - Many thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated!
Gra30 - thanks for the info regarding the drum, the sculpt is based on a photo (see previous thread), so I have just copied what was there.
Maybe you could answer another question regarding another detail on the drum? - there is what looks like an adjuster on the bottom hoop - how many of those would there be around the drum, as I shall need to add them all if there are several!
Scale 120mm
thanks again,
Steve

 

[Gra30]

Hi Steve,
Forgive me and I will look at the previous thread.
The adjuster sounds like the bottom snare attachment, one either side but I will have a look at your previous thread pics first. If it is it will basically go half way through the drum, if crested the crest background would end at this line, rear half of drum being wood or brass. That probably sounds confusing but at worse I will take a pic of my old rm drum here.
As said lovely piece.
Cheers mate and will get back to you
Gra

 

[Gra30]

Hi Steve,
Just looked, yes the bottom is the snare attachment, one each side to release the snare. Bare with me and I will dig out some pics as usually the sides are different, one side release and other is just an attachment for the other end of the snare, although I was not old enough to have rope tension but my dad did.
Also on top are 3 legs, they are usually in specific places, it is the rod on the top hoop, again I will try to sort some pics out mate.
I do have some hoops here like that.
Best wishes
Gra

 

[martin tabony]

Comming along nicley.

Martin

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Steve,
Here is the website of a friend of mine who still makes traditional side drums.
Theses images may help you.
http://www.henrypotter.co.uk/instruments-percussion.htm
You will notice that the snares are just a number of gut strings acrosss the bottom skin adjusted by a simple screw mechanism on drums at 1900.
I hope that this is of some help.
Cheers,
Keith

 

[valiant]

Keith, Gra - Many thanks for the info re the drum. I have been searching for reference for a while, but only really have the pic that I am working from as actual evidence. Inevitably, there are many variations on a theme, so would have been a case of best guess!!
If there are 3 pegs around the top hoop, I would assume they are at 120 degree increments (like a 3 legged stool?!).
Also as there is no crest apparent on the shell, I'm assuming that it is the back half of the drum closest to the camera?
Is there anyone out there who can definitively say whether the infantry tunic has a single or double vent at the back? (I know the cavalry one does)
Sorry for all the drum questions, but as you can tell, I'm no musician!!
thanks again for your input,
Steve

 

[Jimbo]

Hi Steve
The pose looks good as per the photo, nice one
Cheers
Jim

 

[housecarl]

Impressive start Steve.
Carl.

 

[Gra30]

Hi Steve,
The screw that is the snare adjuster should be at the halfway point between front and back and when worn is normally on the left side so it can be adjusted when worn.
As Keith says it was a screw with gut snares, I have not looked on the link above so not fully sure of other side but Keith has given you great information, the screw is usually only on one side the other just being a metal plate that holds the other end on the snare.
Yes, you are pretty much spot on with the legs.
By the way, us drummers pride ourselves that we aren't musicians either, just kidding a long time friendly rivalry with musicians
Best wishes

 

[martin tabony]

Variouse infantry tunics, including one for a Scots unit, all with double vent.

Martin

 

[martin tabony]

I forgot the Scots one!

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Steve,
The gut snare mechanism is very simple. Essentially it is a stud that the strings hang over and pass through two slots cut in to the lower hoop. The small hole above the stud is to let the air pressure out when the drum is being played. On the other side there is a simple threaded hook that passes through a block to a treaded adjusting nut.
I have attached a couple of shots of one I am working on at the moment (there is a long way to go on this one so pay no attention to the paintwork).
Also don't forget he would have carried a bugle as well....but he may have lost that on the retreat from Suffolk Hill.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Keith

 

[Kevindunne]

Great looking piece...will this be available for purchase?
Kevin

 

[valiant]

Many thanks to all of you for the detailed responses on the drum. It certainly makes sense as to how it all goes together, so I can get cracking with the adjuster and the pegs, now.
Some minor tailoring alterations needed on the tunic - Martin, many thanks for those pics.
Kevin, Im hoping so - maybe there is a manufacturer out there who may like to take it on? PM me if interested
sincere thanks,
Steve

 

[martin tabony]

I haven't located much showing the back of the tunic yet. Here's one and some more detals of the tailoring