Diorama Should I pull this diorama apart?

[major bill]

I was at an antique store a few weeks ago and they had this Civil War diorama on sale for a very low price.

The light from the flash changed the color some, but I think you can get the idea. I purchased it to dismantle it and to repaint and use the soldier on the left. Now I am having second thoughts and might just leave it the way it is. The painting is OK but not too expertly done. Leave it alone or dismantle it, any thoughts?

I am not sure what company made this figures. The prone figure may not be a Civil War figure as his overcoat is buttoned back like a French overcoat and US Civil War era overcoat used a hook and the overcoat was turned back to the side instead of the rear.

 

[Sheltowee]

If I had talent- I might try to embellish/ remodel a bit and keep it. Maybe remove the prone guy.
Just an opinion- sure you will do something great.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

It's kind of interesting, though I think it odd that two guys are shooting at someone who is shooting back, while their compadre jauntily marches up!

 

[7thWisconsin]

Are the shooting guys the same figure? I´m actually behind taking it apart and using the figures for something else. They´re pretty attractively painted (but there was no kersey blue Federal blanket), but the arrangement of the figures is nothing really special. They have no relationship to each other; there´s no real story being told or moment being captured.

 

[major bill]

If I took off the French prone figure I could rework it and glue it back down. 1. Cover the overcoat turnback button and make it look like the overcoat folded over. 2. Cut off the French style canteen and replace it with a Civil War one. 3. Cut off the French pack and replace it with a Civil War style pack.

 

[7thWisconsin]

If I took off the French prone figure I could rework it and glue it back down. 1. Cover the overcoat turnback button and make it look like the overcoat folded over. 2. Cut off the French style canteen and replace it with a Civil War one. 3. Cut off the French pack and replace it with a Civil War style pack.

Paint in his pack straps so they are more like the straps on a Civil War pack too. I think the original dioramist included him because he wanted to use a figure with gaiters. He´s actually a pretty lively pose, one of the best in the scene.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I purchased it to dismantle it and to repaint

Personally I would leave it "as is ".

Such would be like trying to change a classic "primitive art" painting.

Granted ... it's not professional , but it seems someone spent a lot of time
trying to attempt a good paint job.

Starting with newer figures might make a better display.

(You did ask for any thoughts )

 

[major bill]

Well I could just leave it the way it is. If some one visiting me don't like it they can lump it.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

The scene looks a little bare and barren. Perhaps broaden the base and then include some significant vegetation, tree timber or rockery to add a touch of realism.

Also it seems odd that only half the figures present possess rifles with bayonets affixed. (Think the regimental order would have been for everyone to fix bayonets).

 

[DixieRifles]

I agree with the comments about rebuilding. First, I think you could improve the looks of the terrain, etc.
Second, you could find a better placement of the figures. What make a poor diorama is placing figures randomly on the base. The figures should work together and present a theme.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Well I could just leave it the way it is. If some one visiting me don't like it they can lump it.

I will say.....I also would have purchased it, and I'd leave it just the way it is.......

 

[major bill]

Even if I break it up, I got three usable Civil War figures for $10, which is much less than buying them on line. Does anyone know who made these figures?

 

[MRB1863]

Perhaps adding some greenery ( it needs something like a witness tree) and cover from which the guys may get protection would help make it more realistic. IMHO, a section of fencing at the rear would help contain the scene. But it is a very cool find.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I have always liked this painting, and think it has some good ideas for diorama construction. The soldiers in the picket post in the foreground can be positioned firing at a distant and unmodeled enemy. The tree and fence can give it structure, and there´s a lean-to on the right that would be fun to model. (BTW - this is ¨Guerilla Warfare, Civil War¨ by Albert Bierstadt.)

 

[Kurt G]

I was at an antique store a few weeks ago and they had this Civil War diorama on sale for a very low price.
View attachment 434122

The light from the flash changed the color some, but I think you can get the idea. I purchased it to dismantle it and to repaint and use the soldier on the left. Now I am having second thoughts and might just leave it the way it is. The painting is OK but not too expertly done. Leave it alone or dismantle it, any thoughts?

I am not sure what company made this figures. The prone figure may not be a Civil War figure as his overcoat is buttoned back like a French overcoat and US Civil War era overcoat used a hook and the overcoat was turned back to the side instead of the rear.

Are these metal or plastic ? I bet James N. might know who made them .

 

[James N.]

Are these metal or plastic ? I bet James N. might know who made them .

I thought the heads on the actual Union infantrymen looked at least a little like Imrie-Risleys but I'm not sure. The company made a lot of figures similar to these three that could be somewhat modified for use in dioramas like this. If @major bill does decide to dismantle it and they ARE I-R figures they will probably be so marked on the bottom of their bases.

 

[James N.]

I have always liked this painting, and think it has some good ideas for diorama construction. The soldiers in the picket post in the foreground can be positioned firing at a distant and unmodeled enemy. The tree and fence can give it structure, and there´s a lean-to on the right that would be fun to model. (BTW - this is ¨Guerilla Warfare, Civil War¨ by Albert Bierstadt.)

View attachment 434150

This scene appeared in the classic American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War by Bruce Catton and was one of four from that book that were reproduced during the Centennial by Milton Bradley as a set of jigsaw puzzles. (Naturally I had them all!)

 

[major bill]

Not sure if it is but if this is an older diorama, then on a certain level the use of the French soldier and the attached bayonets are an example of what modelers were doing when this diorama was made. I still may disassemble it, but for a while may leave it like it is.

 

[Kurt G]

I thought the heads on the actual Union infantrymen looked at least a little like Imrie-Risleys but I'm not sure. The company made a lot of figures similar to these three that could be somewhat modified for use in dioramas like this. If @major bill does decide to dismantle it and they ARE I-R figures they will probably be so marked on the bottom of their bases.

I think you are right about the standing ones being I/R figures .

 

[major bill]

This soldier was at the same antique booth.

Again the cost was low so I bought it. It seems to be painted by the same modeler. Again not a great paint job but not a horrid paint job. I could touch it up a bit without dismantling it. Look at his "chicken legs". What ever company made this skimped on material.