Flagbearer of the 80th Regiment of Foot

This is an ensign of the 80th Regiment of Foot (Royal Edinburgh Volunteers) carrying the King's color.  British regiments of the mid-to-late 18th century carried two colors: a King's color and a regimental color.  The King's color was a Union Jack throughout, with a wreath enclosing the regimental number in the center.  The regimental color was in the unit's facing color, with a small Union Jack in the upper left corner and a wreath enclosing the regimental number in the center.


And speaking of facing colors, this man is wearing blue facings!  Why the change from a previous post when I put the Royal Edinburgh Volunteers in yellow facings?  More information will be coming in a future post...


The figure and flagpole were from All the King's Men Toy Soldiers.  Visit their website at http://www.allthekingsmentoysoldiers.com/ATKMAWI.html


The lance head on top of the flagpole was hand-sculpted by me; the gold and crimson mixed cord is made from embroidery floss.  The flag itself was borrowed from the website "British Regimental Drums and Colors" at http://www.fifedrum.org/crfd/images/D80.htm.  Do check out this website, as it is full of the ornate flags and drums carried into battle by King George's redcoated armies.

Riflemen

These two figures are militia riflemen in the service of Virginia.  One wears an olive-drab hunting shirt, while the other is dressed in a tan waistcoat and olive breeches.  They both carry long Pennsylvania rifles.  Lafayette's army during the Virginia campaign of 1781 included a unit of frontier riflemen.

Because the rifle lacked a bayonet, a rifle-armed unit was at a serious disadvantage when confronted with a musket-armed unit, which had bayonets.  To overcome this difficulty, riflemen were commonly paired with bayonet-equipped troops.  The riflemen could begin to inflict casualties on the enemy, while the musket-armed infantry would defend them with their bayonets against a sudden enemy rush.  Both the Americans and the British used these tactics, for the British had rifle-armed German Jaegers.

The rifleman standing firing is from Accurate American Militia #1, and the rifleman running is an Ideal recast.  I sculpted the roundhat turned up one one side for the Accurate figure.  Both are painted with Testors paints.

Massachusetts Light Infantry Officer

 This figure was previously featured on this blog at https://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2016/02/massachusetts-company-gimats-light.html.  However, I decided the officer needed a form of self-protection other than his sword, so he was supplied with a French fusil (light musket).  This makes him look far more like a partisan leader (partisan was the 18th century term for light infantry, etc.) and less like a typical line officer.

Now he and his light infantrymen can slink through the forests of Virginia, facing off against the British invaders under Benedict Arnold and later Lord Cornwallis. 

Figure by BMC, musket from MPC "Colonials".  Painted with Testors paints.

Canadian Militiaman of the French & Indian War

While most of my painted figures come from the American Revolution, I have finally taken the plunge and embarked on a small collection of painted French & Indian War figures.  The figure in the picture is the first one completed, but there will be more to come.

This figure is a French-Canadian militiaman of the French & Indian War.  He wears a light-colored shirt like his Indian allies, but dons a knitted red cap like many other Canadian militiamen.  Armed with a musket, tomahawk and three knives, this man is ready to fight les Anglois.

Figure is originally from Accurate's American Militia #1.  I converted him by shaving his bushy beard, cutting off the fringe from his shirt.  I sculpted him a knit cap and three knives, as well as changing his British musket to a French one by adding barrel bands.  This means he is likely armed with a military musket, rather than a "trade gun."  Figure painted with Testors paints.

Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day to all my readers!

These figures are a mix of MPC and Accurate.  They represent the militia (citizen soldiers) of the American Revolution.

June Photo Gallery

Here is a group of pictures I took recently.  All figures are 54mm scale, hand painted by me.

"Charge of the Royal Edinburgh Volunteers"

The fusiliers of the 80th Royal Edinburgh Regiment charge while the grenadier company of the 80th supports them.

"Close with them, boys!"

Two disciplined formations, the 2nd Pennsylvania and 80th Regiment, prepare to fight it out hand-to-hand.

"Defenders of Virginia"

A group of three Virginia militiamen open fire against the British invaders of their homeland.

"Local Assistance"

A local loyalist instructs a British officer about difficulties ahead while British soldiers march.

Landlord of the "King and Crown"



This figure recreates another minor character from Beyond the Mask Movie.  He is the landlord of a Philadelphia pub called the “King and Crown.”  It has a reputation for the best lamb in town.  As might be evident by its name, this pub is a favorite resort for Loyalists.

The original figure is from Barzso Playsets and captured the character wonderfully.  With a pewter mug in hand and head cocked deferentially, this man is ready to serve another customer.

 

Figure by Barzso Playsets; painted with Testors paints.

Interior is a Playmobil house and is furnished with a mix of Lego and Playmobil accessories.  Posters are from the website of the Loyal American Regiment.  Please visit their site at http://loyalamericanregiment.org/.

 

2nd Pennsylvania Regiment by Armies In Plastic

The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment had an excellent reputation during the American Revolution.  They fought gallantly at Brandywine (1777), Paoli (1777), Germantown (1777), and Monmouth (1778).  The 2nd was a unit of trusted veterans and George Washington knew it.

When Major John Andre was captured and Benedict Arnold fled to the British, George Washington believed that West Point (where Arnold had formerly commanded) might be in danger.  He needed reinforcements to halt the British if they attempted to capture it.  He called on the Pennsylvania regiments, who marched 16 miles in 4 hours (from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.) to reach West Point.  "When Washington got word of Wayne's forced march and timely arrival, he quite rightly called the feat 'fabulous.'" (1)

 

In 1781, the Pennsylvania Line mutinied because of a lack of pay, but the 2nd Pennsylvania did not initially join them "until the other troops threatened them at bayonet point and with artillery." (2)  The 2nd was sent to join Lafayette and his hard-pressed Continentals in Virginia.  There they took part in the Battle of Green Spring and ultimately, the Battle of Yorktown.

The 2nd Pennsylvania wore blue coats with red cuffs and lapels and white waistcoats.  Colonel Walter Stewart was the colonel of the 2nd Pennsylvania and he was an officer who cared for his men. "I find the little necessaries for my regiment difficult to be procured and at the most exorbitant prices, but I am determined to get them and have them I will if possible,"--Stewart wrote. (3)

Figures are by Armies in Plastic "American Revolution: French Infantry."  I chose French infantry as the base for these soldiers because they were cast in white plastic.  Most men carry "Brown Bess" muskets, but one man has a French musket (distinguishable by the barrel bands).  These soldiers are painted with Testors paints.  Click on each picture to expand it.

(1) pg. 65, Victory at Yorktown by Richard M. Ketchum
(2)http://www.243regiment.com/history_2nd.html
(3) http://www.243regiment.com/WalterStewartHistory.html

Female Civilian

Click on the picture to enlarge it

This figure is a female civilian during the American Revolution.  But this figure is slightly different than any figure I have painted so far because she represents my sister in her time as a extra for the movie Beyond the Mask. 

She (my sister, not the figure) has recently written a charming two-part account of her time on set.

Part 1 can be found at https://castlesinclouds.wordpress.com/2016/04/19/as-an-extra-for-beyond-the-mask-part-1/

And Part 2 at https://castlesinclouds.wordpress.com/2016/04/20/as-an-extra-for-beyond-the-mask-part-2/

The figure is a Marx recast.  The figure was originally supposed to represent a character from Johnny Tremaine, but has been recast and is a useful colonial-era young girl.  No conversion was required.  Figure painted with Testors paints.

80th Regiment Center Company Finished!

I finished the last figure for the 80th Regiment of Foot, Center Company last Friday (click the picture to enlarge it). The 80th, also known as the Royal Edinburgh Volunteers, arrived in Virginia with Benedict Arnold in January 1781 and served at the Siege of Yorktown. Now all these jolly lads need is varnishing and basing (a few figures already have this) and then their unit can be featured on this blog.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day from the Volunteers of Ireland!

The Volunteers of Ireland wish a Great and Glorious Saint Patrick's Day and take this opportunity to share with you their War-Song, first sung in the year of our Lord 1780 by Barny Tompson, piper to the Volunteers of Ireland.

"Success to the Shamrogue"

SUCCESS to the shamrogue, and all those who wear it,
Be honour their portion wherever they go,
May riches attend them, and store of good claret,
For how to employ them sure none better know;
Every foe surveys them with terror,
But every silk petticoat wishes them nearer,
So Yankee keep off, or you’ll soon learn your error,
For Paddy shall prostrate lay ev’ry foe.

This day, (but the year I can’t rightly determine)
St. Patrick the vipers did chase from this land,
Let’s see if like him we can’t sweep off the vermin
Who dare ‘gainst the sons of the shamrogue to stand;
Hand in hand! let’s carrol this chorus,
   “As long as the blessings of Ireland hang o’er us,
   “The crest of rebellion shall tremble before us,
   “Like brothers while thus we march hand in hand!”

St. George & St. Patrick, St. Andrew, St. David,
Together may laugh at all Europe in arms,
Fair conquest her standard has o’er their heads waved
And glory has on them conferr’d all her charms!
War’s alarms! to us are a pleasure,
Since honour our danger repays in full measure,
And all those who join us shall find we have leisure,
To think of our sport ev’n in war’s alarms!

Text of this song graciously made available by the Loyalist Institute at http://royalprovincial.com/history/music/voisong.shtml


A post about the uniform and history of the Volunteers of Ireland will be forthcoming

Mr. Edmund Bentley

This figure is painted up as Edmund Bentley, a Philadelphia Loyalist who appears in the Christian movie Beyond the Mask.  Beyond the Mask is set in the world of the 1770s as tumult and war erupt in Great Britain’s North American colonies.  Mr. Bentley works for Ben Franklin before he is fired for incompetence.  He then joins a group of Loyalists who are working for Charles Kemp against the American rebels.  Mr. Bentley appears to be an assistant to the Loyalist leader Mr. Richard Harrison.  This figure recreates one of his outfits.  To learn more about the movie, visit www.BeyondTheMaskMovie.com

The original figure was made by Marx as a character figure of Johnny Tremain in the 1950s.  Thankfully this figure was recast in the 2000s so that I could acquire one.   

 

Edmund Bentley (left) and Richard Harrison (right)

This outfit is worn by Mr. Edmund Bentley when he meets Charles Kemp, the Director of the East India Company.  It consists of a cream-colored waistcoat and light blue breeches. In the movie he also wears a brown coat with this outfit.  However, because he is often seen in a brown waistcoat without a coat, it seems reasonable to assume that he wore his cream-colored waistcoat without a coat sometimes.   He was the first figure that I painted with a grey tricorne hat.

 

Mr. Richard Harrison

This figure is painted up as Richard Harrison, a local Loyalist leader who appears in the Christian movie Beyond the Mask.  Beyond the Mask is set in the world of the 1770s as tumult and war erupt in Great Britain’s North American colonies.  Mr. Harrison has no love for the rebels and recruits his friends to harass them and keep Philadelphia loyal to King George III.  This figure recreates one of his outfits.  To learn more about the movie, visit www.BeyondTheMaskMovie.com



The figure on the left is the original pose that eventually
became Mr. Harrison

The original figure was made by Accurate as a militiaman standing firing musket and required heavy conversion to become Mr. Harrison.  First I cut his musket away, then cut and repositioned his arm that was originally pulling the musket’s trigger.  I bent his other arm down by holding it under hot water and bending it until it had reached the desired pose.  Then I added a pistol from another Accurate figure and with a little sculpting (including adding a pair of boots), the figure was complete.

This outfit is worn by Mr. Richard Harrison when he is confronted by the rebel vigilante William Reynolds.  It consists of a matching set of tan waistcoat and breeches with a grey overcoat worn on top.  He carries a pistol in several scenes.  The original figure wore the cartridge box and powder horn and I left them so that Mr. Harrison can reload his pistol.  His hair was interesting and enjoyable to paint because it is sandy with streaks of grey.

Massachusetts Company, Gimat's Light Battalion 1781

These 7 figures represent a Massachusetts Light Infantry Company in Virginia, 1781. They are a part of Colonel Gimat’s Light Battalion, which was sent with Lafayette to capture Benedict Arnold.  Gimat’s battalion contained 5 Connecticut companies, 2 Massachusetts companies and 1 Rhode Island company. (1) This Light Battalion guarded Anthony Wayne’s right flank at the Battle of Green Spring, but its greatest honor occurred when it stormed the British-held Redoubt #10 at the Siege of Yorktown. (2)

By 1779, Massachusetts troops were ordered to be dressed in blue coats with white cuffs and lapels. (3) Their black caps bear the letters “L I”, for Light Infantry.  Each cap is also decorated with a red-and-black plume, a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette to the entire Continental Light Infantry.  To show their long service in Virginia (long service was hard on clothing), I painted some figures with trousers, some with breeches and stockings and some with half-gaiters.

The original figures are by BMC.  The light infantryman thrusting his bayonet is a slight conversion from a BMC British grenadier.  They are all painted with Testors paints.

1. pg. 46, A Guide to the Armies of the American War of Independence: Book 2 The Southern Campaigns by Greg Novak (Calumet, PA: Old Glory n. d.)
2. pgs. 145-147, The Yorktown Campaign and the Surrender of Cornwallis by Henry P. Johnston (New York, NY: Harper & Brothers, 1881; accessed at https://archive.org/details/yorktowncampaign00johnrich)
3. pgs. 106-107, An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Uniforms from 1775-1783 by Digby Smith and Kevin F. Kiley (London: Lorenz Books, 2010)

Will Reynolds of Beyond the Mask

This figure is painted up as William Reynolds, the hero of the Christian movie Beyond the Mask.  Beyond the Mask is set in the world of the 1770s and follows Will's journey from assassin to hero.  At one point in the movie, Reynolds moves to Philadelphia and becomes a highwayman who battles local Loyalists.  This figure recreates his highwayman outfit.  To learn more about the movie and William Reynolds, visit www.BeyondTheMaskMovie.com

The original figure was made by BMC as an artillery commander with sword and pistol.  The only conversion work I did was cutting off a backpack and canteen.

 

It is unclear whether this outfit is supposed to be dark navy blue or purple, so I opted for the latter because it is very distinctive.  Reynolds wears long or grand gaiters to protect his legs.  His cartridge box did not appear in the movie, but I left it so that he could reload his pistol.  On its strap is a large decorative brass buckle.  He wears a mask to conceal his identity.

Welcome!

Welcome to Red Coats and Ruffles!  My name is Jordan Jachim and I am glad you are here.  I’ve loved toy soldiers for over 10 years.  I chose to copy out Robert Louis Stevenson’s poems with toy soldiers in them for handwriting practice when I was 6.  In at least four stories I wrote between 2003-2007, toy soldiers were the heroes.  More recently, I have taken to collecting and painting them.

"Welcome to Red Coats and Ruffles!"

 

What is this blog about?

This blog is dedicated to my collection of military miniatures (a.k.a. toy soldiers).  Most are 54-60 millimeters tall.  This scale is referred to as 1/32 scale.  I do have some 40 millimeter soldiers and an assortment of others in various scales.  However, most of this blog will feature 54 millimeter soldiers who are made of plastic and a few of metal.  It will also show some of the games that will be played with them or dioramas that can be created.

My Collecting History

My collection began in 2003 with a vacation to Fort Mackinac.  In the gift shop were displayed an army of Otter Creek Rifle Works castings.  Unfortunately, the mounted general I wanted most was sold out, but I did get a mortar, an infantryman and a set of artillery accessories.  On the same vacation, I also bought an artillery crew as well.

As time wore on, I acquired quite a miscellaneous collection of toy soldiers including green army men, a European-made WWI figure, a Napoleonic grenadier, and a bag of BMC Yorktown figures at Colonial Williamsburg.  These last I began painting in 2009, but quickly gave it up.  There were so many soldiers to paint!

But in the interval between 2009 and 2013, I painted a few other soldiers.  Finally, I dusted the BMC infantrymen off and set to work painting them as troops in the American Revolution.  I enjoyed this immensely and they became Continental light infantry, Loyalists, British grenadiers and even a movie character named William Reynolds.  When they were nearly finished, I acquired some Accurate militiamen and Armies in Plastic infantry and kept on working.  Now I am almost finished with the Armies in Plastic infantry and fully intend to keep painting with new figures.

 

About the Name

The name “Red Coats and Ruffles” comes from some of the distinctive characteristics of my favorite period, the 1700s.  While red coats are generally associated with the British army, they were also worn by the Hanoverian Army, many foreign regiments in the French and Spanish armies, some American loyalists, and even the American patriots (when they could capture them).  Most officers and gentlemen of the 1700s wore fine shirts with ruffles at the neck and sleeves.  These two items of clothing give this blog the name Red Coats and Ruffles.