I'm just over half way through another batch of 60 mounted Plains Indians which will be finished by Friday. Over the weekend I spent some time painting these two lovely models of Custer for Mark and tried to capture the spirit of the man as best as I could. In the mounted version we is wearing a fringed buckskin jacket and dismounted he is wearing the US Cavalry shirt and has lost his hat in the heat of battle. I think the sculpt captures the desperate situation of the 'Last Stand' very well. Currently unvarnished as I'm just waiting for Mark's feedback ( black hat possibly?) but these are painted as a little thank you for the commission.
George Armstrong Custer. 1839 - 1876. 20mm scale figures.
Since starting this commission I have been watching a lot of YouTube content on the subject as I paint. Two videos in particular have stuck in my mind and I would like to share them here.
The first is a superb presentation by the Little Big Horn Battlefield guide, I thought that the chap did a great job of bringing the history to life, everything a tour guide should be in my opinion.
The second is somewhat more controversial. The theory that Custer might have taken his own life in a final moment of desperation to avoid capture has long been around, but the official account has always been that he died from Indian gunshot wounds. I stumbled across this compelling film some time back which features evidence from the surgeon who rode with the 7th Cavalry and small arms historians who suggest that the bullet in the temple could only have come from a rare Colt revolver issued to just a few people including Custer. It is a fascinating background listen whilst painting.
