Kings Royal Rifle Corps

[DaveCox]

Hi everyone. I'm a modeller of some (read 40+) years, with limited abilities in the figure world, and just joined this site.
I'm looking for help to source a model of a rifleman of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps from the periods 1860 to 1880. My wife's great-grandfather served with the 4th Battalion in Canada (Novia Scotia to 1869 - married a Canadian girl) and then in Ireland and India (to 1878) and I'd like to model him as a gift to her.

I've searched all my usual sources and hope that someone here may be able to help me.

 

[Jimmy S]

Dave I'm an old Green Jacket myself. I think Michael Roberts figures do a KRRC/60th Rifles figure (FB06) around 1848 which may be of interest. Theres a picture here:

KRRC

 

[Tarok]

Hi Dave

Great to see you here... welcome

I've also got an ancestor that was part of the 60th.... and was posted here to the Cape of Good Hope...

Does anyone know what the major differences in uniform and equipment were from about 1811 to 1846... in other words how easily would the 1846 Indian campaign figure Jim mentions above convert to a 60/1 of 1811?

TIA

Rudi

 

[DaveCox]

Thanks for the replies.

Jim, there were several changes in uniform between the Michael Roberts figure and the 1870s, also the rifle changed at least three times, so no go there I'm afraid.
Rudi - great to meet up again here - there are several good Napoleonic period Riflemen about, Verlinden actually do a figure of the 60th of this period,and the 95th really only had different colour trousers and facings.

figure link

There was an article on the KRRC in Military Modelling (last year sometime I think) in their Regiments of the British Army series; and I reckon I'll have to get an infantryman of the correct period and sculpt a new headgear. The figure I choose would have to have the Martini Henry rifle and pouches on the waist - 'Zulu' period stuff. The tunic would be correct, but the Rifles had a different shako and all the figures I've seen of this period have the Wolsey (sic) helmet.

 

[Johnsonva]

Dave,

Military Modelling did a two magazine series in May and June of 1997, Issues 21 and 22 of their "Regiment" magazine. #21 is titled "The Royal Green Jackets 1741-1881", #22 is titled "The Royal Green Jackets 1881-1997" Each contain color prints and black and white photos from the 1858-1870 era.

If you want to e-mail me directly I could probable do some scans for you.

Hope this helps, Loren

 

[Jimmy S]

Dave have you tried Sarum Soldiers they have a few Riflemen worth looking at....Heres a link

Sarum Soldiers

 

[DaveCox]

Thanks for helping Jim, but I'd already thought of that one.
Happy Christmas mate and thanks again for trying to help out.

I've actually ordered Verlinden's figure of the 24th Foot loading his Martini-Henry, and will sculpt new headgear and badges for it. Together with information that someone else is sending me I should be able to get the desired result.

 

[Jimmy S]

Ok Mate good one though make sure we all get a look at it.....

 

[herbwf]

Dave,
If the quilted head gear of the Michael Roberts figure would help I have an extra head and shako if you would like it.
If you can use the entire figure whith the percussion converted Baker Rifle you are welcome to that as well. You can contact me by e mail.
Happy New Year
Herb Forgey

 

[DaveCox]

Thanks very much for the offer Herb,I'll email you.
For the first figure I need either the busby that was introduced in 1871 for the Rifles only, or the foreign service helmet which is on the verlinden figure anyway - the subject served in Canada (shako), Ireland (Busby) and India (helmet). The verlinden figure also has the right belts, pouches etc for the Martini-Henry rifle. I'll be modelling him either in Ireland or India, as there doesn't seem to be any commercial figure with the correct tunic for the Canada period - or with the Snider Enfield rifle and equipment.
The Michael Roberts figure is a good kit, so when I do my '60th through the ages' series it'll be a great start. There aren't many kits around of this period, and the muzzle-loading Brunswick rifle itself is rare too!
This scheme is growing - from one figure I could end up with an army............

 

[Jimmy S]

Dave have you had a look at Tradition? they do an extensive Green Jackets range in various scales.

Tradition

 

[DaveCox]

Hi Jim,

Yeh'' I looked at Tradition - they are toy soldiers and not the kind of models that I'm into.
Thanks anyway

Dave

 

[Jimmy S]

OK dave hope you get there in the end. When (if) it stops snowing have you contemplated a trip to the Regt Museum at Winchester?

 

[DaveCox]

Hi Jim, will be trying to get there in the spring. My wife is very interested in trying to trace more details of her great-grandfathers service and that seems a good place to start - I'd stock up on reference photos whilst there too.