Is the middle figure a Butternut and Blue figure? It is one of the companies somehow I past on when it came out. If it did they make their figures in a rubber like material?
Update
Update: after we posted this article we got confirmation from several people that it was Butternut and Blue figure. Kent Sprecher sent a photo from his Toy Soldier Headquarters web site showing all of the poses. The one in the photo and Union stabbing down with bayonet were prototypes. I remembered liking this pose, but not the others so I passed the set. I did get the figure later in a junk box.
Looking at the figure again I will be looking for extras as it can be used also as a policeman from late 19th Century. If I get a couple I will get the hat changed to more Bobby helmet.
It looks like the Union officer from a smaller set of either a specific regiment from New York or Rhode Island. There were three other poses that accompanied the officer. I don’t think this group was included in the Butternut and Blue playset. And yes, they did cast their figures with the rubbery plastic.
B&B made two prototype Union infantry figures including the man shooting the pistol in your picture (other pose was holding bayoneted rifle up near his head). When they made their ACW playset they made 11 new Union poses and 4 Confederate poses. if you bought the special larger playset it included the two prototype poses. These figures were of a similar color and size to Marx and blended in much better than the larger Conte and TSSD figures. I will send you a picture.
Yes they are better detail than the US union made 11 original poses, also a bit taller
The officer firing pistol was included in some B&B sets as Kent stated above. In the set I have all the Federal figures are the same light blue color as in the figure pictured on the far left. The set also included some cool turnpike fencing and some very odd stone walls. The ‘stones’ making up the walls look like blobs of putty, complete with the fingerprints of the sculptor who made them.
I have the set I’ll have to look. I know the first guy is for sure .
The Butternut & Blue figures were created using Airfix multipose kits. You can see this easily by the shape of their bases and the look of the heads / faces of the figures. They are on the smallish side of 1/32 scale.
TD they are closer to 1/35 th scale in my book.
I have 2 of the original large box set and neither one has ever been set up.
The figures are just not worth all the trouble it would take to straighten out the weapons and everything else that’s bent.
A shame that they couldn’t get it right.
One of my favorite ACW figures is the prototype stabbing down with
separate rifle. ATS has sets in “limited supply” if anyone is interested.
http://www.angelfire.com/pe/ATSTOYSOLDIERS/ButternutANDBlue.html
The first series Marx “54”mm Civil War figures are actually in the 56-58mm range. Their Centennial/medical figures are close to 54mm. The Butternut and Blue match very well with the Centennial/medical figures and are also about 54mm ( a few are a bit smaller). These figures are a much better match to Marx than any other new figures made. All of the newer figures made in the vinyl plastics have bendy weapons; B&B, Conte, CTS & TSSD to name some of them. I did not have any more problems with the B&B’s weapons than any of the companies I mentioned above. The worst were the CTS Mexican lancers which were so difficult CTS went back and made them ring hands equipped with stiffer plastic weapons
Yep, no doubt about it, the second pose is one of the two specialty poses. It’s an odd but kind of cool set.
The figure in question is the best sculpted figure in the lot I think, the guy with the sword to the left seems to be suffering Elephantiasis in one leg ?
Mark ,yes you right;at first I though was position in photo, till I check mine.
He has an atrophy leg or a defect in uniform may be.
But I think Marx was the best in general sculpted in this case follow by accurate.
Marx cover anatomy,proportion of items/weapons and detail in one ,because in this recast with bad paint over it does not show well.
Accurate the flash picture blurry a bit the figure but their detail is impressive ,the anatomy is good but in proportion accurate fail a bit, sample the pistol holster too small x civil war officer type.
Yes the early BB are not well done ,but if look well the one leg in figure in question has the sword blend with pant creating a very similar effect as other. The special poses done by BB (this in question) and other that I could use as cannon crew because removable musket were better than original 11 designed by long gone producer of plastic.
I have the early set that I manage to get x a bargain few years back out of box with out fence and nothing but the 4 rebel poses and these two prototype that I got loose too.
they (but two prototype) have a very bad issue with weapon, either too short or shrinked.Still the poses were nice depicted. Also the body top some times are smaller in proportion with bottom parts-odd
Now they become vintage value collectible figures and I like all odd rare too some times. Still all were done with nice new poses.
Yes Erwin, I love the Marx Centennial poses especially, I would love to see the Centennial or even regular Marx Civil War figures in 6 inch size, the Andy Gard are not too bad either .
Yes I love those Andy guard too;the original as the reissues come very bad.
So do you collect the big guys as well!?
I don’t collect too much anymore, although I do buy once in a while and when I do buy it usually is Marx 6 inch reissues to convert or something I might want to enlarge and possibly produce like enlarging Peco pirates and making a ship and accessories inspired by the Marx prototype Pirate cove set , I do love looking at figures old a new, I like to sculpt and toy figures are like little sculptures to me, I see a lot of wonderful new figures out there ! Thanks for asking .
Nice,thank you x sharing it!!
Gentlemen
I think if you were to look closely at these figures you would realise that the heads and arms came from AIRFIX multipose figures, which is why the faces are good whilst the rest of the anatomy is distinctly dodgy !
Peter.What multipart figures?
Napoleonic,modern???
WW2 Multipose
Thanks .Interesting ,will compare and see w mine and see who they got from. I got those sets…Too bad they never went to solid figure poses
Well, they are certainly not the greatest figures which is probably why after ambitious sounding plans the dream came to an end after one set. On the other you do get quite a lot for a relatively low price.
I always liked the B&B figures as they fit in so well with my Marx figures. I think you can nit pick just about any manufacturer and I think the criticism of the B&B seems excessive.
Agree,every company has issues.
Airfix among then has imperfection as well
One more than others.
Just that price should adjust w quality and when imperfection go w high mark priced figures then bring more criticism as not right.
B&B had some great ideas for figures – some turned out better than others; I wish they had more time to work the kinks out. I bought a set of them back in the day; one of my major complaints (other than the price) was the few Confederate poses as compared to Union. I liked the idea of the “rebel” sharpshooters ambushing the “yanks” and it made for a nice vignette. I looked forward to a second set of figures to augment them. Sad they never came to pass.
To be sure, there were a few awkward poses – but there were some really good ones, too – IMHO, a preview of what could have been.
Agree too w you Wayne in all.
While it doesn’t rank up there with the greatest sets ever made, it was kind of cool. I have one I like it.
The two preumim figs were the best airfix never mention but I was told they were a ny regiment. Shame he never found another sculpter
Wait;the company name was Cunnyngham right!?
No, Cunnyngham did one set of Rebs different guy, the name of the company was Butternut and Blue, the name of his set was Red Legged Devils.
Thanks ed for clarification, I got those guys and got mix in my mind because they 4 poses and maker not longer producing too. So I was thinking same, now I recall those were better done if not mistaken. I will have to dig and compare..
sorry 6 poses..
Yeah Cunnyngham did 6 poses three loaders and three guys firing, well done but some odd unique poses. He also did one metal figure of a Union guy advancing or marching. He did some prototypes of Union Iron Brigade but never made them. He also started one marine he was going to do in metal, but that never really went anywhere. His figures were more in line with TSSD size wise.
I like this set, although the guns are undersize and to prone to warping. I replaced them all with new guns from TSSD, some with bayonets, some without and even made a flag bearer out of the running pointing guy. I also stuck a ramrod in the hand of the Union guy reloading and he looks great as a result. I too was disappointed in the lack of Rebel figures and the fact that the Reb who appears to be reclining has a really, really small head and the officer who is kneeling and pointing isn’t carrying a weapon at all !!
I’d like to see those, B & B is rather a petite 54mm, while TSSD is a robust 60mm.
Wessley
You can send photos to pestad@gmail.com