Thorsberg Miniatures

[Roc]

[doHTML]<div float=left>

<img class=news src='http://www.planetfigure.com/images/blank.gif' width='2' height='150'><img class=news src='[url]http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=28505&img=415454006web.jpg' alt='Click to Enlarge' height='150'>[/url]<img class=news src='http://www.planetfigure.com/images/blank.gif' width='2' height='150'><img class=news src='[url]http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=28504&img=922154-006_w2.jpg' alt='Click to Enlarge' height='150'>[/url]<img class=news src='http://www.planetfigure.com/images/blank.gif' width='2' height='150'><img class=news src='[url]http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=28506&img=parts-54-006.jp.jpg' alt='Click to Enlarge' height='150'>[/url]<img class=news src='http://www.planetfigure.com/images/blank.gif' width='2' height='150'>http://www.thorsberg-miniatures.de/neuheiten_eng.htm

54-006 Iron Jacket, Comanche-Chief, Canadian River 1858 54mm white metal kit.
Sculpted by Alan Ball.
Painter unknown.

Cheers
Roc.
</div>[/doHTML]

 

[dario966]

Czolem,
they used to say in Texas back in the first half of the 19th century that to find a Comanche without a horse was rather an impossible task . I think Catlin reported, during his travels accross American continent, that the Comanches were completely nomadic, and did almost everything on horseback.
Famous Comanche chief Iron Jacket aka Iron Shirt was killed by Jim Pockmark (a Tonkawa) during the Tonkawa-Texas Rangers ride on his village, in May 1858 (Peta Nacona, Quanah Parker father, was there as well) http://www.forttours.com/pages/antelo.asp
He wore either a 16th century Spanish or French mail shirt or breastplate. This anusual protection saved his life many time before and at some point gave him this name and 'supernatural' powers...
Too bad this figure is without a horse, he would look magnificent, with the trail of feathers .. I thought that his 'iron shirt' was worn over and would have been visible

 

[Bruno]

Hi Dario,
nice to hear from you again.

I did the research of the Iron Shirt figurine.
According to a note of George Bent he wore his "mail shirt" under his war shirt, so only a small part was visible. He also described the "mail shirt" as small rectangular metal chips, like the Spanish "Brigandine".
He got this information from Cheyenne who had meet "Iron Shirt".

There were several Plains Indians who wear such armour, also a Chiefe of the Southern Cheyenne used one.

My main source for the cloth and equipment was the photos of the "Berlandier collectinon" of 1830. It is extremly difficult to get infiormations on Comanche cloth and equipment between 1830 and 1860.

You are correct it would be better to get a figurine of a Comanceh on horse. But Thorsberg is a small and yound company and did not want to invest in a expencive kit now.

I hope that some peolpe will like this figurine. I had sent two figurines to the Comanche Historical Center in Oklahoma and they liked it very much.

Best greatings from a football crazy Germany

Bruno

 

[dario966]

Hello Bruno and good gents,
no, I do not wat to make the impression that I do not like this figure,
I simply expressed my ideas about the sculp, which is very nice and worth a try for those who like this subject matter and this size.
I should have said that the inclussion of the horned club, quirt (horse whip), a lance with a long (sword derived) point, a shield etc are great additions that make this figure stand out.
From my experience I also find that it is difficult to find examples of Comanche material culture for this period - unless one follows the earlier George Catlin works . Most of the time Comanches are just in the breachclout and mocassins, shield, lance and bow and arrow, a quiert hanging from the wrist...
I read some accounts that stated his shirt was over the clothing as it was shinning - but then it who knows ... the bison scalp with horns headdress is a tipical COmanche
well, I hope you will find this little discussion interesting
Dario

 

[Bruno]

Hi Dario,

I don't had the impression that you don't like the figurine. The pose was the desicion of the sculptor.
To get the documentation for the Figurne was very difficult. The Texas Ranges destroid everything they found of the Comanche. So ver few ist left, even the Comanche historical center had not much on the time before 1865.

The most concreet information was from Geroge Bent, so I used them and a spanish Brigandine seemed to me more logik as a chainmail.

I hope my researche comes close to the historical person and brings a little light into the history of the Comanche people.

I'm ver interested to see the figurine painted by different artists.

Many greatings from a still football (soccer) crazy Germany

Many greatings

Bruno

 

[Alan]

deleted

 

[Bruno]

Hallo Alan,

sorry I don't know that Andreas choos the position of the figurine, I thought you choos it.

In any case the figurine is very nice and the position is very good. So it is not important who choose the position and get the laurels for this nice composition.

You my had liekd to read that the Comanche Historical Center liked the figurine.

Best regards from Germany

Bruno

 

[AJLaFleche]

My gray army will certainly be growing by one when I can find this guy!

 

[Bruno]

Hi Al,

you can get the figurine direkt from the hompage of Thorberg Miniaturs. The link is on the posting. If you have problems end me an e-mail and I will order one for you.

it is real a very nice figurine. The Inside of the Buffalorob was normaly painted, so you can add a colorful tuch.

I have just finishd the reserach for a Mohawk 1750 and a Crow 1870 for Pegaso Modells.

Best regards

Bruno

 

[AJLaFleche]

Thanks, Bruno. I may have to go through the website or take you up on your offer, since I don't know of anyone on this side of the pond who carries this brand.
Al

 

[Bruno]

Hi Al,

I will have a telephone call with the owener of "Thorsberg Miniaturs" if they have a retailer for USA.

Best regards

Bruno

 

[AJLaFleche]

Many thanks, Bruno.