The top hat sniper

[jjgurk]

The idea for this figure came from Anthony Beevor's book, The Fall of Berlin 1945. The German sector of the Oderbruch front had a sniper who supposedly dressed up in an undertaker's top hat and tailcoat to which he pinned his German Cross in Gold. A "real crazy type" as he was described whose eccentricities were tolerated because he had 130 kills. I used the Alpine Miniatures German officer #35055. Basically all I needed to do was sculpt the top hat, some hair, and the German Cross in Gold. he was painted in oils over an acrylic base.

Cheers, John

 

[jjgurk]

One more pic

Another view.

 

[Christos]

Looks very nice(the story is interesting,I have the book).Any closer front photos?
christos

 

[Steve]

Man, I thought I had seen every possible representation of the Reich's soldaten. Excellent! What a unique and well executed piece, and what great history. Thanks for sharing!

 

[yeo_64]

COOL, John !!!!!

Hi John !
VERY NICELY done, if I say so myself !!!!!! Cheers !
Kenneth .

 

[tonydawe]

Hi John,

Well done mate, that's a very creepy looking figure. He has a touch of Clockwork Orange about him.

 

[vergilius]

Hi John,

Well done mate, that's a very creepy looking figure. He has a touch of Clockwork Orange about him.

Very true !!
Wonderfull piece! I never heard of the story but there should be more of these stories! Do you happen to know his name? Oh yes; please a bigger front pic !
I always wondered if I should buy the book.

 

[dinovision79]

Hi John,

just as others said, excellent in all aspects! A figure is whole lot different case with such a story behind!

Thanks for sharing
Denes

 

[megroot]

John,
Just can only echo the others. Excellent work.

marc

 

[Marcel]

Excellent figure with great groundwork!

Marcel.

 

[Sambaman]

Very fun piece. As Steve mentioned, it's refreshing to see a twist on the standard subject. Nice ascott as well!

Jay H.
OKC

 

[Bad91Fellow]

Awesome and really creative figure! The only negative thing about this figure is, that you always have to tell the story behind it ;-)
yours

 

[bwildfong]

Score another one for creativity, John - what a unique presentation !

Cheers,

Brian

 

[1969]

One of the best figure ideas ive seen for a long time and so well executed,fantastic job.
He reminds me of the caracter Porta in the Svenn Hassell books,he also wore a top hat.

Steve

 

[jjgurk]

Many thanks to all of you for the kind comments. He was alot of fun to work on. I decided to do the groundwork in muted tones with very little colour so to speak. I'll try and get some close-ups as I'm still figuring out my new camera!

 

[DEL]

Well done for ferreting out a really original and quirky idea, and doing a great job with it.
I know what Tony means about Clockwork Orange but for me it's Alexis Kanner in the TV series the prisoner.
regards
Derek

 

[pmfs]

Hello

Great, fantastic, amazing...

Regards
Pedro

 

[vergilius]

Still want to know he that guy was in real life

 

[arthur]

John,
Excellent figure as always. Cool story too
Cheers,
A.

 

[facp]

Great, great job