Bill Nevins’s Helmet Revolutionary War Collection since there is an interest on Helmet Bill decided to share what he has. As you he has acquired some interest figures need for a Revolutionary War battle. We will let him explain these figures.
Bill Nevins’s Helmet Revolutionary War Collection Photos and Background
Here are several shots of my Helmet collection. I want to stress right up front, that these figures were not done by me. I got them from Eddie Oates, who was just a seller. There were 2 other people who actually made them. I think Brian Carrick should know as he has a few of them.
First up, is a British Royal Horse Artillery limber and cannon conversion. This was made from a Britains ACW limber and cannon set. The conversions and paint jobs are very well done.
I don’t collect Napopleonics, but this was so cool that I had to have it. I remember trading a large Swoppet ACW box set to get it and have never regretted it.
Maybe for the War of 1812?
Bill Nevins’s Helmet Revolutionary War Collection Mounted AWI
To begin, I have the British Legion. The famous Tarleton’s green clad horsemen. Tarleton’s legion struck feare in the backwoods southern Patriots. He was ruthless and mercilees.
He and his men slaughtered surrendering Virginia Continentals, at Waxhaws.
His entire Legion was destroyed by Dan Morgan at Cowpens.
Tarleton barely escaped after dueling with William Washington, the Commander of the 3 rd Continental Cavalry. I have pix of the 3rd forthcoming in the next part. William was George’s cousin and an outstanding cavalryman.
These conversions accurately portray the uniform worn by the British Legion. Excellent conversions and beautiful paint jobs. Note the saddle blankets.A lot of historical research went into these figures.
South Carolina State/Militia Cavalry
These are a mix of different uniforms and headgears, as you would expect from a militia unit. The SC militias were most effective using hit and run tactics against British and Loyalist supply columns. The most famous of these was Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. But there were others, like Capt. James McCall, Benjamin Jolley and Light Horse Harry Lee, who was the father of Robert E. Lee.
The brown coats/faced green could also be used as the 1 st Cavalry as this was their uniform colors.
To begin, I have the British Legion. The famous Tarleton’s green clad horsemen. Tarleton’s legion struck feare in the backwoods southern Patriots. He was ruthless and mercilees.
Those are very nice looking figures. All I presently have from the blackpowder era of the late 1700s-early 1800s are my old Airfix Napoleonics and my Accurate Revolutionary War figures, but Helmet is promoting an interest in me. Also, I really want to support Helmet, and perhaps someday they can expand to other eras.
I do want to point out that some of the militia figures seem to be Deetail conversions, rather than Helmet. At least the two men on the extreme right and extreme left are definitely converted from the Deetail cowboys mounted buffalo hunter. I don’t think Helmet sells broad brimmed hat heads, so the men with those hats might also be conversions.
Bill awesome collection .Who did the job,excellent in paint conversion and poses…
Thanks sharing what Hemet products could be used
But there is a non historical odd added in set.
Cannon and limber or horse light artillery. It is very unlike 2 pounds OR other light caliber mounted artillery were used by British or American during war of revolution. Specially in Tarlenton unit .As far records in Britain the first official unit was stablished in 1793 after Prussian innovation from Frederic the Great late period war units and French adoption. At Cowden Tarlenton was provided by horse pull regular infantry RA 3 pounds cannons. All is true as any canon was pull by two or even one animal, it did not was pull with limber/caisson attached. Meant to be follow by infantry and cavalry, manage by infantry artillery crew at field not dismounted artillery units.
The cannon depicted is a much later 1860 artillery cannon and 12 to 18 pounds that unlinked pull by 4 horses.
Regardless…
I will use those figures for what they were depicted ,also if want to do the movie(Patriot) not historical of course but close to some events.
I will used more for the 1812 and NAPOLEONIC or French revolution era as well.
And the set is awesome done.
Best…
Mark Yes, those are Deetail parts, as is the cannon and limber themselves.
Erwin, No idea. I do not collect Naps or any European history. I just liked the way it looked.
That’s how I am I like how it looks over if it is historically accurate.
Nice set of figures Bill, The detail of the paint job on them is Excellent, And Good poses also, Not really my era of toy soldier collecting but very nice.
I was hoping for foot figures.
We have photos coming up from with foot. I have to do other things in a day and want to spread things out.
The cavalry is always ahead!!!
Great looking figures! AWI in the south is a an interest of mine and I really like the detail on these figures. Great acuracy and action. I will have to look into the Helmet figures.
Beautiful figures Bill,thanks for sharing !
Hi Bill, the two guys who actually made them were Dennis Donovan and Gareth Lloyd, they started out using Britains swoppet bodies and heads on Helmet mounted legs, so the poses are all mounted firing muskets which is probably a bit incongruous, and these early efforts are mostly what I have in my collection. Later they used Helmet arms to make proper cavalry charging with swords. When Swoppet bodies became harder to find they had a copy made up in resin but this was quite expensive so they moved more into Napoleonics made up entirely from Helmet kits, they did a set of Sharpe’s Rifles for me and some Nap Polish infantry. If I get a chance I’ll try to take some photos to send to Paul but some of them are here: http://www.toysoldier.freeuk.com/18th.htm and here: http://toysoldiercollecting.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/a-storm-in-flanders-part2.html
Best wishes, Brian