Queen's Ranger (BMC)

Private Brian defends the fence

Following my review of Helmet Soldiers' muskets & pistols (at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2020/06/helmet-soldiers-muskets-and-pistols.html), I wanted to show off the completed Queen's Ranger who modelled the Brown Bess musket.

 

Meet Private Brian, named in honor of Brian Carrick (www.CollectingToySoldiers.blogspot.com) who was kind enough to admire the figure while he was still a work-in-progress.  

Private Brian is converted from a rather useless bayoneting upward BMC pose.  Instead of him bayoneting  horsemen (or flying insects), I melted his arms downward and added the Helmet Soldiers'  Brown Bess musket.  The resulting pose is typical of the 1740s drill manual "Charge Your Bayonets".  By the late 1750s, the preference was for the musket and bayonet to be waist-high.  However, I am sure that in the heat of battle, some soldiers reverted to the older style.  Even LOD Enterprises "Continental Soldiers" has a figure that is charging bayonet in the 1740s style (see photo opposite).

Figure by BMC, painted with a mix of acrylic and enamel paints.  Sealed with Hobby Lobby Matte Varnish.

Queen's Rangers defend a farmstead and fence rail as Continental troops attack.

Helmet Soldiers' Muskets and Pistols (Review)

BMC Queen's Ranger with Helmet musket

I enjoy doing conversion work on 54mm figures.  Many changes can be sculpted, like cartridge boxes, haversacks, and many kinds of hats.  But when it comes to firearms, it is easier for me to simply add a premade weapon than sculpt one.  Unfortunately, I have not found many companies that offer muskets for 54mm figures.  Helmet Soldiers offers muskets, pistols, and other weaponry for your troops.  Find them at http://www.helmetsoldiers.co.uk/weapons.html.

They offer both the French Charleville and the British Brown Bess, with and without bayonet.  Also they have a pistol that resembles the French An IX (Year 9) Cavalry pistol, though it is described as a "Universal" pistol. All come cast in a clearish white plastic.

 

 The Charleville musket (top) is approximately 67mm from butt to bayonet tip.  This makes it an excellent fit for soldiers at the taller end of the 54mm world (such as BMC).

The Brown Bess musket (bottom) is approximately 60mm from butt to bayonet tip.  It is smaller and lighter than the Charleville, which is slightly odd, considering that the reverse was historically true.  The Brown Bess' size means that it works well with smaller 54mm figures, like Marx, Accurate, or A Call to Arms.

The "universal" pistol is barely 12mm long and quite thin.  This makes it unsuitable for use as a dragoon or Sea Service pistol.  However, this size makes an excellent choice for a "muff pistol", a small, easily-concealed means of defense.

If your noblewomen need a defense against highwaymen, or your pirates would like an increase in their firepower, this pistol is an excellent choice. 

 

 

 

 

"Stubble Stan" (a BMC figure) wields one of their "universal" pistols in his right hand, with a Sea Service pistol in his left.  Hopefully this shows just how small the Helmet pistol is when compared to the other pistol.

 

Disclaimer: I am not sponsored or otherwise subsidized (including free product) by Helmet Soldiers.  I'm just one collector passing on knowledge to another.  Do make sure to check out www.helmetsoldiers.co.uk for these and many other fascinating products!