The Silk Roads - a new history of the world. Quick Review

Like many of us I absorb history books. Not just military history books but almost any.  Context really improves my appreciation of a game - this book is rich in context.

The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan does just that.  It's range stretches from pre Alexandrian times, through to 9/11 and the current political an economic turmoil.

For me the last few chapters post WW1 were very detailed but the least helpful. Maybe it's an area that I already have some context on, even a period that I have lived through.

The earlier Chapters fascinated me.  The fluctuating relations between Rome, Persia and China.  The shifting sands of religious affiliation and the way in which cultures absorbed and overwhelmed each other.  The issues of trade, against the growth in demand for luxury all help explain why conflicts happened, indeed why peace took hold.

The arrival of Islam and it's spread at a time of economic contraction during the 7th century wars between Persian and the declining Roman Empire.  The construction and wealth of Baghdad. The overlapping of Islam, Christianity, Judaiam and Zoroastrianism spreading deep into a darkened central and Norther Europe.

The spread of the Viking Rus into the area we now call Russian, with their trade in furs slaves (Slavs) and the returning gold, silver, jewels and silks.

The extraordinary reach of the Mongols and the Black Death, the growth of European technical prowess and the new empires of the 1500's.

This is a sweepingly useful book, it helps us understand alliances and wars against the religious, intellectual and economic changes that brought them on. 

Are these napoleonic war Shako's really what the seller describes?

Garde d'Honneur Shako?

I have a penchant for perusing stuff for sale online.  Here are a couple of eye wateringly expensive things that an antiques dealer has on ebay.

The first they describe as a Rare 1813-1814 Napoleonic Wars Chasseurs Of The Imperial Guard Shako  (take care clicking through on the link - it's quite absorbing!)

Obviously the Chasseur a Cheval of the old (and young?) guard wore busby type headgear. 

Is this more likely to be for Gardes d'Honneur (a la these lovely Perries). Initially I thought the cockade was wrong but if you look closely on an enlarged picture it could well be Imperial French Colours.  

Also, given that the Garde d'Honneurs tended to be wealthier families I can see these shako's having an improved chance of surviving, given that the owners may have plenty of space to store and people to look after them.

So what about shako two? 

Same dealer but this time they describe it as  Extremely Rare 1806–1808 Kingdom Of Naples And Sicily Joseph-Napoléon ~ Bonaparte Shako.  there are lots of lovely big pictures on the listing.  

This one shows the front - which really does look to me like a Russian Shako plate - but this isn't a specialist area of mine.  

I love the tone and quality of the leather and it does have the look and feel you might expect of something 200 years old. 

Below thought is my favourite picture - which shows the net that keeps the helmet on the head - very similar to the webbing inside WW1 and WW2 helemts.

Any thoughts on what they might be greatly appreciated.

 

Wargames paint compatability chart for Vallejo Citadel Rackham Reaper Army Paint P3

I'm popping this here so I can find it and it may be useful to you.

https://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Paint_Range_Compatibility_Chart

It has a bit of a US bias and covers

Old Citadel
New Citadel
Vallejo Game Colour
Vallejo Model Colour (my favourite paints which I combine with Wargames Foundry)
Rackham
Reaper Master
Privateer P3
Coat D'Arms 
Army Painter 

and the hex code.

How to replace broken or brittle plastic lid on Wargames Foundry paint pots

After a few years the lids on Wargames Foundry and Coat d'Arms and Formula P3 and similar paints can become brittle and break.

It's not only messy, it is also expensive if the paint spills or dries up.

Below is a very quick video on how you can fix this.



You will need to buy some replacement lids.  Here are some links on where to buy them. You are looking for lid only for a 20ml plastic paint pot.

I bought a bunch extra and in the uk you can buy them here. UK is post free for a set of 48 lids, there are alos some sheets of pre-printed replacement labels you can add.

You can also buy empty pots on amazon with this link.

Have fun 

Up date: Wargames Foundry now stock these if you're buying other figures from them and have already covered postage they make sense costs wise

https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/products/col000-paint-pot-lid

Can you identify these 28mm figures for me please

One pulp pilot, another looks like Saladin and three are various - including a very portly wizard.

The only Victoria Cross won on D Day - a visit to the Green Howards Museums

I was working in North Yorkshire a week or two ago and got some time to pootle through the beautiful market town of Richmond.

On the market square is the Green Howards museum.  £4.50 for entry. It is small but really good.

The one room that takes you a-back is the medal room.  Wall to wall medals, including the only VC won on D day,  the citation for CSM Stanley Hollis reads:

War of the Roses, late medieval figures for auction - 28mm Wargames Foundry ex Citadel figures

I love these figures - but I'm having a bit of a clearout.

Three auctions all starting at a very low first bid  of just £1

32 pike
ebay.to/2fbjy2H

 21 x men at Arms
ebay.to/2wSOtdK

and

18 Archers
 ebay.to/2wSurzO

Good luck if you bid - I always combine postage, but you need to let me send you an invoice if you win more than one lot.

The Other Partizan 2017 - A picture review.

I've just got back from The Other Partizan. Hopeless day for buying stuff.

 I've been doing a lot of clearing out so didn't want to be tempted by a random new thing.  There were some Perry Napoleonics I'd hoped to find but no joy, so my haul was three metallic paints and some bases. I spent more on the entrance fee and the burger than the stash.

I was tempted by some of the weathering powders and paints, but want to do some more research online first.

A sucker for the shiny games...

However I got to a good look at a god chunk of the demo games.  A Partizan always has been about the games for me.  Kelham Hall suffered from it's many dark corners and the new venue is much lighter which makes it easier to enjoy the games.  I had the wrong lens on my camera - so there's limited depth of field on a lot of the shots... but here goes

28mm Prussian Napoleonic Line Infantry - Elite or Calpe?

I wish I paid attention when I painted things (probably in 2003/4. This is a definite 1813 regiment, but I can remember which.  The Flag is a bought one and the  figures are either or Elite or I think more likely to be Calpe.  I painted them using this book.

Prussian Napoleonic gun and limber 28mm

Just a quick sharing - Connosiuer, I think.  Painted ages ago but I finished the basing recently. Horses using oil wipe method.

28mm Perry Miniatures Napoleonic Voltiguers painted as swiss from the 4th regiment

These are a group of 6 Perry Miniatures figures painted up as swiss - probably about 1811, 1812.   

I've popped them up for auction here.  

A thought on the pictures:  I photographed this in bright sunlight - which makes it easier to get them clearly in focus - but is too contrasty for my liking.  I wonder if bright sunlight but with a diffusing box is the way to go, benefits of lots of light but no harsh shadows.