Hi

I have always thought that the jacket worn by the Poste Militaire Mandan bust is that of a British officer. I started doing some research to determine exactly what it was, year, rank, regiment etc. But I’m drawing a blank.

If any one can identify it, year especially that would be great.

Thanks

Neil

Hi Neil
Bought an original version of this one recently on eBay which I'm looking forward to painting. I never thought about the jacket - now I'll have to have a dig through the references . . . . .

I’m doing the full series of them if they were released today they would be just as excellent in terms of sculpt And quality as they were back in the 90s.

I came across this photo which appears to have an anchor on the epaulette (ditto buttons).



Marine officer's jacket?

Cheers,
Andrew

It’s a good call Andrew, the anchors are part of the sculpt, not painted on (the version you found is by Magnus Farerberg, and recently completed) so Marines or possibly navy be feasible. I just had a quick look but still can’t find one which is identical. I know Julian Lamb posted on here back in 2014 saying he was re releasing the busts under his Lamb and Flag range but hasn’t posted on here or Facebook since. It would have been good to contact him directly and ask what his references were.

Cheers Kev

Wasnt sure best place to post it. Unlikely that they would go to the trouble of changing buttons and epaulettes I think. I think Magnus has just followed the box top. I have tracked Julian down and emailed him. I will report back if I get a reply.

I think I have solved it.

I found the build review of the kit in Mil Mod Nov 97 by Lee Chandler who says it is a Royal Marines Officer Tunic. I found the one in the description and photo attached in the Maritime museum. The only difference can I can see is That the Mandan has left the top buttons undone. I also found some replica epaulettes for sale on eBay for the enactors of a very similar design. If anyone does have any more info I would still be interested.

Cheers

Neil



Description This double-breasted red wool coatee is an 1830 pattern and was worn by an officer in the Royal Marines. The collar and front of the coat are edged with a piping of twisted silk threads. There are two rows of buttonholes, indicating that the jacket could be buttoned on either side – this was to minimize wear on the fabric. At the top left edge of the coat, above the top buttonhole, is a brass hook, which would have fastened to a loop of detached buttonhole stitch above the top button on the right-hand side of the coat. This would have been used to secure the edge when the coat was buttoned and indicates that this was the preferred way for the wearer to have fastened it. The fit of the coat is extremely tight and would most likely have required a corset to ensure the proper fit. The sleeves are gathered at the shoulder and terminate in a very tight mariner’s cuff. The coat is lined with red silk and the chest is padded to create a rounded effect. The sleeves are lined with white silk twill and both have an inscription in brown ink on the shoulders: ‘L.O.’ The back features two gilt brass hip buttons and on the tails, at the bottom of each, is a stylised turn back of white over red, secured with a badge of laurel leaves below a fouled anchor, below a crown in purl backed by blue wool.

Kev as requested shots of the review/build from MM.

Also if you do want one they still do come up at reasonable money in eBay, as Paul says he’s recently snagged one, may be worth putting a followed search up on eBay?

The sculpt is so good I have often wondered why Ray lamb did no British figures for Poste Militaire.

Mike

It’s a good question Mike, thinking back to those days I’m not sure British figures were very ‘fashionsble’ French Napoleonics were and to a lesser extent Samurai. Perhaps he just sculpted what he was most interested in?

Well you can always say it's a costume coming from a looted Theater

Can't help with information on the Marines jacket I'm afraid - but my oh my, what a cracking bit of painting
by Magnus Fagerberg........must be the best ever of Julian Lamb's finest figure !!

Mike