If he's following British practice, he would be carrying a Trumpet as well as a Bugle, but strapped up tight across his back. They used Bugles for mounted calls, and Trumpets for the dismounted ones.

Hi Ray another fascinating build and learning so much will be following with great interest .
Cheers Chris

Hi Tony

Interesting point I wasn't aware of the difference between bugle and trumpet. I will need to do some more research

Cheers

Ray

Best site for saddlery/horse furniture:-
http://www.paoyeomanry.co.uk/LY12.htm

Best wishes,

Mike

Ray, unless you have played or researched the topic , that's hardly surprising : they are both brass and make a similar noise !
It's a matter of length and timbre.
The Trumpet is the older, longer instrument, always from the outset associated with horsemen and aristocracy, and used for signalling as early as the Crusades. The last fifth is conical ( the bell ) but the rest of it is cylindrical , which gives the harsher, brighter tone.The length used from 1800 is around six feet, and that enables about ten notes to be played. They had been used in mounted " Fanfares " of about six players since the 16th century, with kettledrums , and were part of early orchestras from the late 1600s.

The Bugle was originally a conical signalling horn , shorter ,with a completely conical tube. There are five usual notes, which have rounder, duller tone.
They were always part of the huntsman/Jaeger tradition mostly from Germany, and associated with Light Infantry rather than cavalry . The first type were in " Halfmoon " shape .
British Light Infantry and Rifles took them up from 1800, using the modern folded format , and the Cavalry realised their utility from about 1830, mostly because they are easier to play.
The shortness of the tube allows more accuracy in finding the right note : they are forgiving where a trumpet is not, especially aboard a moving horse.

So the compromise was reached where cavalry Trumpeters ( NEVER described as Buglers ) carried both instruments, and played the Bugle for signalling when mounted ( easier ) and the Trumpet on foot and for more ceremonial music ( more difficult, but more Splendid ).
Caton Woodville's Trumpeter illustrates the point perfectly : Bugle being sounded, mounted, Trumpet tied up tight on its cords on his back :~



Military instruments in many countries such as the US now combine features of both instruments, being really trumpets with more conical bores, or long Bugles.

Thanks Mike and Tony. I sent an email to the regimental museum last night and got a reply today around some other questions so I sent a note back asking the instrument question. The curator also sent me two great photos one of a mounted trumpeter. My question around horse colour was answered as the pic clearly shows the lad on a dark horse. He also sent me a pic of the rider on the sabre side which is very useful. The bugle I have is correct which is a nice thing. Gave me some pointers around the sword and the one I have is incorrect but I knew that and only had that there for pose.

Very flattering to hear back from the Museum and so quick too.

Cheers

Ray

Tony's post of Caton Woodville's illustration shows what looks to me like an excited horse, ready to charge. I have ridden (not often), but defer to the horsemen on the forum to provide advice on horse behavior and how that should be depicted in the pose, [if at all].

All the best,
Dan

Why did that make me laugh so much at 7.30 am......Animals certainly have a way of showing how pissed off they can be....LOL

Ray what Miniart kit did you use for this project as it looks perfect for various other WW1 conversions . Love what you have done so far and will be fallowing this with interest .
chippy

Thanks Chippy,

Its the Dragoon firing a musket. It comes with two heads as well. Great cheap 120mm horses, good for conversion but will require a lot clean up. I like that there is no saddle or blanket so opens up possibilities.

Cheers

Ray

Tony,

I sent an email to the Regiment but don't think they used both instruments only the bugle. The museum sent me some pics and there is only evidence of the bugle. I'm not surprised as the Strats are not your typical Commonwealth Regiment. Their origins are very different as they were initially privately raised by Lord Strathcona as a unit specialized in countering the mounted Boers in the Boer War. Their original makeup were all prior North West Mounted Police and the rank and file were sought out Cowboys, ranchers, etc all from western Canada. I have several pictures of different trumpeters from WW1 and all are carrying just a bugle. They have tassels on the left epaulete need to find out the proper colour for that.

I've always been interested in this particular regiment since the days I did an exercise or two with back in my military days. I've read their history and this guy will be the third piece I've done.

Here are some pics of the Boer War and WWI

I must admit that the name "Horse" in the late 19C/early 20C does suggest a "mounted infantry" unit rather than a true cavalry regiment. Such as the Australian Light Horse or the Sottish Horse. A strange turn around in meaning when you think that all British line cavalry were originally "Regiments of Horse" except for the "Regiments of Dragoons" which were mounted infantry!
By the way if the tassels are from the bugle cord, then (again if they follow the British) would be green for non Royal regiments.

Martin

Hi Martin just edited my post and added some of the research pics I got from the museum and my own research.

Canadian Cavalry units for the most part evolved from Mounted Rifles units. After the Boer War the Strathcona's were disbanded and incorporated into the Royal Canadian Mounted Rifles but in 1909 I believe the unit was reinstated by reallocating a portion of The CMR as Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) so they did have the distinction of being a Royal Regiment. Its very interesting as I dont think they are designated as "Mounted Infantry" because in WWI they used Sabres and participated in Sabre drawing Cavalry charges (Moreiul Wood) where as a mounted infantry unit would dismount and engage, the horse being the transportation, with the LDSH (RC) the horse was a part of the overall package. I dont know it might be the way the Cavalry evolved in Canada (similar in the US). They did adopt scarlet uniforms and Plumed Helmets with lances later on but it was only for show and continues to this day with their mounted troop. I dont think they ever used lances in combat and after WWI they evolved again like many Cavalry units into an armoured unit. Other Canadian Cavalry units such as the Royal Canadian Dragoons and Royal Canadian Mounted Rifles are very similar to the Strats in make up and execution.

Sorry rambling now, just a big interest of mine

cheers

Ray

Not rambling at all mate, as you can probably guess, cavalry are also an interest of mine. Royal or not they do look like green cords. By the why what colour is their field service cap? In the group shot some of them appear quite a bit lighter than others.

Martin

Actually the group shot is the Regiment on its was to South Africa so the caps would be a tan colour, the uniforms of that time were the standard tan/khaki colour that most British units wore. Yea I agree its green cord, that was the way I was going to paint it if wrong I can change it. You know the build is only part of the enjoyment of this hobby, the research and the discussion is spawns is just as much fun.

Thanks for you insight and discussions around this figure

Cheers

Ray

A couple of other points I meant to mention, the mounted figure has a trumpeter's trade badge not bugler's, and that head kit looks like a 1902 pattern with the "Universal Reversible Port Mouth Bit" except for the buckle on the nose band.

Martin

Good stuff and really enjoyed reading the discussion re. equipment etc.

Roger.

Nice looking build so far Ray
It's been great read through this will all the info supplied by everyone.
Best site for saddlery/horse furniture:-
http://www.paoyeomanry.co.uk/LY12.htm
Nice find Mike, got it bookmarked.
Barrie.

Hi There,
Got to the bench for a little bit the weekend and got some more done.

- Completed the sword to reflect the 1908 Other ranks Cavalry pattern. The blade is made from sheet styrene cut down and sanded to shape. Also the guard has been filled in with putty and sanded to reflect the full hand guard
- fleshed out the tunic still needs to be sanded. I added the collar and collar dogs (more to resemble the LDSH collar dogs for basic shape)
- Added some filler to the arms to get it ready to add the full sleeves. I think I will be adding the bandoliers, haversack and other straps though before I do that.
- Added the horse blanket and rear back pack rolls

Hi There,

Got some more done tonight.

- Got the first stages of the saddle built
- Started added the gear to the trooper with the first stage of the haversack, gas mask pouch on the back, and canteen on the left. I just tacked the bugle to get a sense on how I'm going to have it hanging on the side
- Put the first stage on the mane on the horse. Once dry I will add another thin layer of hair to give a sense of volume
- I also used another set of legs/boots, it was mentioned in an earlier post that the legs looked too short and after trying a longer set I agree, this looks better
- Also changed the roll behind the rider, think this one looks much better

Putty mixture is evenly mixed Games Workshop green stuff with Aves Apoxy Sclupt. I find that mixture gives me a good putty to work with with a nice consistency.