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Review 93rd Highlander -Indian Mutiny from Dolman Miniatures

Discussion in 'Reviews , Video Reviews and Open Book' started by Nap, Jan 8, 2014.

  1. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hello to everyone ,

    Among the Regiments involved in the Mutiny of 1857 was of course the 93rd Highlanders with the Indian Mutiny inspiring much including many books and now we have of course those models from this period both in British and Indian history....a period where the British Empire was a world leader .

    Dolman Miniatures have taken up the challenge to produce a version depicting a member of the Regiment and thats what we will be looking at :

    6.jpg

    Lets have alook at the Regt and one soldier in particular who served as a private in the Regt winning the ultimate accolade for bravery ..the VC....the man we are talking about :

    Private David Mackay

    He won the Victoria Cross at Secundra Bagh, Lucknow on 16th November 1857 during the Indian Mutiny. He was one of the first 93rd Highlanders and subsequently one of the first Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders to win the V.C. He won this for capturing a colour of the 2nd "Loodhiana" Indian Sikhs Regiment and was nominated by the 93rd Highlanders to receive the award.

    London Gazette 24th December 1858 - extract:

    David MacKay Pte 93rd Rgt. Date of act of bravery 16 Nov 1857 :--
    "For great personal gallantry in capturing an enemy colour after a most obstinate resistance, at the Secundra Bagh, Lucknow, on the 16th of November 1857. He was severely wounded afterwards at the capture of the Shah Nujjif. (Elected for the VC by the private soldiers of the regiment)."

    He received the Victoria Cross from Queen Victoria at Hyde Park 1879. He received an annual pension of £10 for winning the V.C.

    As with all the VC winners a very brave man

    Medals:

    Pte MacKay would have been awarded these medals :-
    1. Victoria Cross
    2. Crimea Medal 1854-56 with bars "Alma, Balaclava & Sevastopol"
    3. Turkish Crimea Medal 1854-56
    4. Indian General Service Medal 1854-1895
    5. Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-1858 with bar "Relief of Lucknow"
    Service:

    He was promoted to Corporal 24th July 1857, to Sergeant on the 17th November 1859 and became a recruiting Sergeant around the Aberdeen area.
    He was medically discharged from the Army on 24th January 1861 when his 10 year service was completed. He had enlisted as a Sergeant in the 1st Kincardineshire Volunteers by 1863.

    A marker was placed by the Regt near or on his grave in 1998 grave.jpg victoriacross.jpg
    0000.jpg 13.jpg 15.jpg 16.jpg

    The Regt has many characters in this period here is another one proudly showing off his medals (including the Mutiny. (bottom right and the Crimean (top left with at least 3 maybe 4 clasps) .a true veteran ...wouldn't this make a great subject for a bust!!! 1.jpg

    There are as I said many books that have been written both for reference for uniforms th00.jpg th.jpg th0.jpg th1.jpg and also for backgrund history of the Mutiny itself th6.jpg th3.jpg th2.jpg th4.jpg .

    Continued in next post:

    Nap
  2. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    On now to the actual model :

    Details are :

    Title: 93rd Highlanders 1857

    Reference: R54-1

    Scale: 54mm

    Material: White Metal

    No of pieces: 7

    Sculptor: Antonio Meseguer.

    Box/Website Art: Eduardo Sánchez.

    0.jpg


    The Review model was received quickly well packed , in a clear flip over container with a insert with a primed figure (there will be pictures later in the Review but also available on the website)
    Reveiws 085.jpg
    Parts were again packed in plastic wrapping (the main torso being in one with the remaining others in another , the base was placed in the container) . Reveiws 086.jpg

    As this is white metal I was wary of any prep ...but no need to even consider this need ..the casting is flawless , really smooth with nothing needing done prior to priming apart from washing any residue off .

    Containing 7 parts : The main figure, 2 arms, a pouch, a waterbottle, the musket, and the base itself.
    Reveiws 088.jpg
    Lets look at the base first, a simple disc in the form of a stoney ground as seen in India , with 2 locating area's for the corresponding plugs in the figure (this just fitted in perfectly and will just need securing with the adhesive of your choice) , the base is pefectly adequete and suitable for the figure...with NO prep needed not even a run round the edges . Reveiws 087.jpg

    The figure itself is in a standing upright pose ready to receive the enemy , he has his head turned to the left .
    Reveiws 094.jpg Reveiws 095.jpg Reveiws 096.jpg Reveiws 097.jpg
    Wearing of course the Scots bonnets this is extremely well sculpted with the form being correct and with nice texturing , the plume is a little cracker , finely worked , around his neck he has a cloth as protection aganst the sun ...again the form is great and hangs naturally . Reveiws 099.jpg Reveiws 100.jpg 14.jpg

    The face now is a typical one seen in pictures , he stares with defiance sporting a bushy beard again very much the thing to be seen with in India , the eyes are nicely done as well this has been brought out with the casting .

    The uniform is also well sculpted , delicate folds the rounded edged corners well done slighly lifting up, brilliant undercuts . he has a haversack and various other straps (one for the waterbottle) , there is a locating hole for the water bottle in the haversack and also one for the pouch at the back , he also has another pouch at the front....all equiptment is well represented and cast creating the correct effect onto the uniform.

    Our "Jock" of course wears a kilt and this is a gem the folds are so natural at the back with the front being correctly shown , painting tartan is not easy but this sculpting standard will help.....and Dolman have put details on the website as well ...great idea.
    12.jpg
    The sporran continues in the very high standard as does the legs, stockings and spats are wonderfully worked .
    Reveiws 102.jpg Reveiws 101.jpg 5a.jpg Reveiws 103.jpg View attachment 146628
    Now to the remaining pieces :

    The 2 arms are a easy fit (dry test first though) as the hands are sculpted onto the musket ...have a good look at the pictures to get it right ...use an epoxy to give you a bit of working time before it sets!!!! As with the torse the arms are little beauty's nice folds with the straight cuff being well represented.
    Reveiws 090.jpg
    Now the musket ....a lovely piece with the hands cast on ..a nice idea making assembly easier IMO , the mechanism is a tidy piece of work with the hands being nicely structured.
    Reveiws 091.jpg Reveiws 092.jpg
    Finally we have the 2 remaining pieces ..the pouch and water bottle ...fit is good to the torso and looks the part , the water bottle will need a bit of strapping added so it links to the cast one on the body....use lead sheeting/putty or even an old toothpaste tube (if you can find a no plastic one !!!)
    Reveiws 093.jpg

    Final Thoughts:

    I am not a figure painter doing only busts but this is a pleasure to review and share with you all .
    Excellent Quality especially in the sculpting and casting which compliment each other , good packing , fine material used with good information on the website.

    Thanks to Dolman for sending a figure and to you all for checking out the Review

    For more info and to order have a look at the website www.dolmanminiatures.com (lots of goodies to tempt you!!!)

    Nap
    Jazz and maya8 like this.
  3. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Now as a topping to the Review :

    Lets have some pics of the Pre casting piece 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg 5.jpg and then some of the painted version showing 2 versions one with the brown (tea) stained tunic 8.jpg 6.jpg 7.jpg and the other the undyed one. 7a.jpg 7c.jpg 7b.jpg ..........

    Inspirational stuff

    Enjoy

    Nap
  4. swralph A Fixture

    really great review
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  5. elgreco A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Great review as always Kev. Good photos throughout.
    Just to add that Dolman Miniatures are also available in the UK through our webstore. Thanks for looking.
    Celine
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  6. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Thank you Kevin.
    Great review Mate.
    Keith
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  7. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi folks ,

    Keith ,
    Glad you liked the review and you found it of some use .

    Celine,

    My apologies , of course you have Dolman stuff , like these the quality in service we receive from El Greco is great .

    Nap
  8. Jazz A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Great review as always Kev. Nice straight up and down figure.

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