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.