Cedar Creek Battlefield Dug Relic

This stirrup is another purchase I made at Gettysburg's 'The Horse Soldier' Civil War antique shop. Was it used by a soldier during the Battle of Cedar Creek in October of 1864? Union or Confederate? Cavalry or Artillery? Officer or courier? Or was it discarded/lost by a local farmer before or after the War? Cool stuff to ponder.

I dabble sometimes...

This is a painting I did a few years ago. I like to get away from the workbench every once in awhile and explore other "arts". I can draw a pretty good stick figure, but direct to canvas? Eh, not so much. So, I went to the old method of making a grid and transferring. I've done this a few times and it helps keep proportions as accurate as possible. The subject is a French Cuirasier, between 1790's-1805, and it's a oil on board copy of a sketch done by the great French Artist, Edouard Detaille.

Other passions

My wife allowed me a corner downstairs to experiment with some space. I've seen internet articles having to do with using old, weathered pallets and creating various projects. I love the rustic look this cheap wood can give. I used a wall section of the downstairs where I sew...Yes, sew (rarely) reproduction American Revolution and Civil War uniforms...Even though I'm not active currently, the reenacting phase of my life will not leave. Anyway, this small wall section really does give that space character.

Officer, 17th Light Dragoons AWI

I'm really pleased at how the posture worked out on this particular figure. I'm no horseback rider, but he looks comfortable and natural for being in a mounted pose, not straight and stiff. As with all my mounted pieces, I completely modeled the entire horse before sculpting and posing the figure, this ensures a tight fit of man and horse.

Bits, bobs and spare parts

I love these hardware type organizers. I may have to upgrade to a larger one though, my bits are starting to overflow.

Mixing Epoxy Putty

When I mix putty, I do wear gloves. Not necessarily for safety, but because the mixture can get very sticky, and I would be constantly washing my hands if I was doing this barehanded. I like to dip my fingers in water (I suppose saliva would work also) just to keep the residue down. When finished mixing, I will take the gloves off and start applying putty with sculpting tools and occasionally finger tip.

Kneadatite-Duro-Green Stuff-What have you.

Here's the ratio I use when mixing the "green stuff". It approximately 70-30/60-40, depending on how long I want to sculpt a project. Basically, the more yellow you use, the longer the working time.

Irish Warrior-St. Paddy's Day Parade 2015

Here's a different take on Latorre Models Irish Warrior 9th-10th Century.This commission will rank high on the (almost) over-the-top pieces I've ever done. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Rev War Militia/Continental Infantryman

Here's a new commission piece ready to be painted. I have this fella in more civilian type clothing than military. You can label him as a militiaman or one of the poor enlisted men who wasn't able to draw a uniform coat from the quartermaster stores.

More rusty ACW relics from my collection

Here's another Spotyslvania Battlefield dug (March '76) relic. This is, as labeled, a .69 caliber Springfield bayonet. Now, I have a reproduction .69 bayonet and the diameter of the lug compares pretty well, even with all the dirt and rust crustacean. What's really interesting is that by this time in the war the .69 rifle/smoothbore muskets were pretty rare for both sides, with the .58 cal. Springfields and .577 Enfields dominating the adversaries ranks. The logistics of supplying ammunition for these .69 weapons would have been a nightmare for either side, especially in the rough "Wilderness" area. If only the relic hunter had jotted down the location of this find, it could have narrowed down to maybe what side and what regiment it came from. Then again, this part of the Virginia crawled with Confederates for a good two years before this Battle and could have been just dropped or left behind during a march or camp. Still, a cool find with many stories tell and questions to ask.

What's in the curio?!

My goal this year is to keep this blog busy. In doing so, I am creating a new segment called "What's in the curio?". I'm sure most of the visitors to this blog will appreciate these "items". Over the past several years, I've made Gettysburg, Pennsylvania a second home and a must "go to" spot on my way from or to, the MFCA Show in Valley Forge. Having been to that town practically every year (sometimes twice a year) since I was a year old, I never had the means or really the urge, to collect artifacts. Now that I have a 'big boy' job, I've been making quick stops into the relic shop, 'The Horse Soldier' and only spending enough to give me a fix. With each trip, I'll pick up something small. Usually something rusted and dirt covered, with thick coats of some sort of varnish. And I only buy/deal with the 'The Horse Soldier', because they have a great selection and are reputable. Anyway, first up is an American Civil War era trigger guard for a rifled musket, supposedly picked dug up on the Spotsylvania Battlefield in 1975. I'm assuming this was dug before restrictions and laws against such doings;).