The Last Two Gilder Union Regiments

 So here are the last of the Gilder 1964 Collection Union troops, the 6th Wisconsin and 19th Indiana regiments.

The rank and file are our old friends CS 6 Confederate Infantry in Slouch Hat with some minor conversion work.

The Indiana boys have had their muskets pulled down to a horizontal pose and (rather impressively) have real pieces of feather glued onto their hats. Officers are FN1 conversions once more and the standard bearer is CS 10 Confederate Standard Bearer.

The Wisconsin regiment have their muskets at the sculpted angle. They have plumes added onto their slouch hats. Before I cleaned and varnished them once more the plumes (all slightly different so not re-casts) were showing as slightly gloss. I therefore think they are made of plasticine sealed with nail varnish or banana oil as per the technique of the day. The standard bearer is an Airfix figure and the officers are CS 1 Confederate Officer.

That leaves me with three Confederate cavalry figures and my spending binge is then completely re-based. I have more Jacklex figures on the go plus more Hinton Hunt figures that I have collected over the years (I have just won some more HH ACW figures on Evil - Bay tonight!).

I have also started work on completing some of my older projects which is very much the order of the day for the rest of 2024. Teaser below*:

* Well you cannot have too many ACW collections, can you?

Nearing The End Of The Gilder Rebels

 With these fellows re-based I only have a small command group of Confederates from the Gilder collection left to re-base for the rebels. The figures are mainly "proper" Hinton Hunt ACW figures.

The infantry are CS 6 Confederate Infantry in Broad Hat, the standard bearer is CS 10 Confederate Standard Bearer but the officers are converted FN6 French officers from the Napoleonic range. Together they form the 2nd Virginia.

In my original post regarding acquiring these figures I mis-identified the below from the original Featherstone article as the 2nd US Infantry. I do believe now however that it could be the 2nd Virginia. 

The pose is correct, the trousers are different coloured to the tunic and they have blanket rolls. The flag certainly seems a match. I do think whoever re-based the figures before I got them changed the officers from a more enthusiastic sword waving figure!

I also note that the rifles have now been bent down from their original 45 degree angle to a horizontal position. Not conclusive proof but it would be nice to think they are the 2nd Virginia considering the impact the images had on my wargaming years.  

Next up are some rebel artillery, the base was marked as "Charleston's German Battery". A quick bit of research confirms they were armed with a mix of 12 pounders and rifles pieces. 

The crew are ACW range figures, CS 11, 12, 13 and 14. The 12 pounder is a genuine HH piece clearly marked underneath as A1 (12pdr Napoleon Gun). The rifles piece (Whitworth) is clearly a more  modern sculpt. 

I have two more Union regiments, both using CS 6 which will form my next post.

Some Of My Own Work This Time

 I have nearly completed the re-basing of the last three Gilder infantry units I managed to get my hands on which I will post next week. In the meantime here is my latest completed handywork. 

An eight base unit to add to the collection. I have a dismounted Union cavalry unit and more artillery for both sides underway which should get me to where I wanted to be at Christmas.

I have also started on the snake fencing and look to be making my first ever rubberised horsehair trees very soon. The collection finally appears to be taking shape!

Peter Gilder's 1st & 2nd United States Infantry

As promised last week here are a couple of Gilder Union regiments cleaned up and re-based.

The 1st United States, as described earlier this year, are again converted Napoleonic castings. The infantry are FN/ French Line Grenadier, the bugler is BN/20 Rifles Bugler, the standard bearer is BN/14 British Ensign and the officers are the FN/1 & DN/1 conversions we have seen before.

 Next we have the 2nd United States, again Napoleonic conversions. This time the firing infantrymen are BN/4 British Infantry, the drummer is BN/12 British Infantry drummer and the officers are once again converted FN/1 French Officer. 

And of course, the standard bearer is the old reliable Airfix figure.

I have a couple more Union regiments to finish re-basing but the next post will feature my (currently) last Gilder Confederate infantry regiment plus some more Jacklex rebs.

The artillery for both sides is also forging ahead. I also need to start the matching terrain. I have a healthy pile of rubberised horse hair, twigs, balsa wood sheets and other "vintage" terrain making material. This should keep me busy for a few more months!

The St Louis Greys And Some Skirmishers

 Finally I seem to be moving forward in 2024. I am having a real splurge on re-basing the Gilder ACW figures I amassed and have even managed to get some painting done in my own right. I will split the results over a few posts. 

First we have the St Louis Greys. Once again the rank and file figures are Napoleonic conversions and then cast in bulk. 

The firing figure is a converted FN/94 Marine of The Guard and the officer is once again the converted FN/1we have already seen. Standard bearer is a converted Airfix figure. 

The paintwork was a little more scuffed than in some of the other units I purchased.

Next are some Jacklex Union skirmish bases completed by yours truly.

Immediately after taking the picture above I managed to drop a base breaking one figure off neatly at the ankles. The language was as blue as the uniforms.

Lastly a comparison of the size match between the two which as you can see is excellent.

Next week will be more Gilder Union infantry.