To polish or not to polish (thats a question)

[Wings5797]

Good morning fellows, I trust you are well.
I have just made my first foray in to the use of Super Sculpey. As a trial I thought that I would have a bash at one of two bugles used at the Charge of the Light Brigade. Bash being the operative word, this instrument not only had the dinks of battle it was also speared with a Russian lance.
Anyway all that aside, My thoughts (with no conclusive rhyme nor reason) is did these young bugle blowers get the Brasso out and give the beast a polish whilst they were on such an arduous campaign?
Any thoughts or theories warmly welcomed.
Cheers,
Keith

 

[Helm]

Tough call Keith I would expect it would much like today depend on the RSM/C.O. views on bull
Steve

 

[swralph]

Not sure about on campaign.But when I was in the school marching band we sure had to keep everything clean.

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Steve and Ralph,
Thanks for considering this situation.
I don't think that there is a definitive answer to this question but my thinking is very much in line with you two fine fellows. I feel sure, knowing Buglers and Drummers, where possible they will clean and polish. Often pushed along by RSM, Bandmaster or CO.
Although it will not involve this 'experimental' bugle, I have a germ of an idea to paint an old Mike French 11th Hussar Officer and have him holding a beaten up bugle to represent the terrible result of the charge and the arrogance of Cardigan who went straight back to his yacht for a slap up meal.
Given this idea maybe a grubby bugle would be good.
Thanks again Guys, watch this space.
Keith

 

[Helm]

If you do go along with the figure idea ( which is a cracker BTW) I'd definitely do the beat up version possibly with a view of the yacht in the bay as a background
Steve

 

[Wings5797]

Great idea Steve.
We will need to put some thought as to how the backdrop can be constructed on what will be a 200mm big boy......or for me the smallest scale I can really work with these days
Cheers Mate
Keith

 

[Helm]

I'd just do it as a simple flat screen type of thing coming up from the base, but I'm a bit crap at that sort of thing I'm sure you can do something better
Steve

 

[Wings5797]

Maybe along the lines of this tinted with a little colour.
Something else to play around with....
I am getting quite enthusiastic with this........SLOW DOWN KEITH you have 4 others to complete first!!!
Cheers Steve,
Speak soon,
Keith

 

[Helm]

That would be it exactly mate
Steve

 

[martin tabony]

I'm not sure about on campaign, but as the formulas still survive for the white sap, boot black and metal polish that they had to make them selves. They wouldn't make it if they didn't use it!

Martin

 

[housecarl]

Not sure about the polishing.
But I noticed this a while back, Knutsford is quite near to me.
http://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/...When__Heroism_amid_disaster_of_Light_Brigade/

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Carl,
Good to hear from you Mate and congratulations (?) on your promotion to Super Moderator.
Thank for the article on Trumpet Major Smith. I have read a few bits on this fellow at the charge but this is the first thing I have read of his life after the Army. Always interesting the way that we have looked after service men and women down the years.
All the best Mate.
Keith

 

[Wings5797]

I'm not sure about on campaign, but as the formulas still survive for the white sap, boot black and metal polish that they had to make them selves. They wouldn't make it if they didn't use it!

Martin

Hi Martin,
Thanks for the info.
I am sure that, where possible these lads would have looked after their kit with the potions that you speak of. For my 'planed' figure I think that I will go somewhere between the two with the battered bugle.
Just out of interest do you know where I might find the formulas for the white sap, boot black and metal polish?
Cheers,
Keith

 

[martin tabony]

There have been variou threads on The Victorian Wars Forum. There's a whole section on uniforms

Martin

 

[Wings5797]

Thanks Martin.
All the best,
Keith

 

[Don]

Polish Keith Polish. I just cant see a trumpeter on campaign or elsewhere looking after his horse and saddlery, self, uniform and weapons yet having an old junk like Bugle!
I always thought these guys awee bit special, riding a different coloured horse etc, why use an old bugle?

Don

 

[martin tabony]

No keep him British!!

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Don,
Thanks for joining in Mate.
I can see where you are coming from but this was after the charge and I think that it was speared with a Russian lance.
So I will take your adviceand go with polished and seriously damaged.
Speak soon
Keith

Hi Martin,
I checked out the link to the Victorian Wars site. Great information Mate, thank you.
Cheers,
Keith

 

[Don]

Super idea Keith, the best of both worlds, battered but bright. I love it. Looking forward to seeing this brightly battered bugle when you are finished.

Don

 

[Wings5797]

It may be a way off Don, I have got so many on the go at the moment but trust me Mate you will be the first to know.
Hope you are well and best wishes,
Keith