Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Old West => Topic started by: skip on May 03, 2020, 11:16:51 AM

Title: toy longhorn steers
Post by: skip on May 03, 2020, 11:16:51 AM

Hi, just wondering if anybody knows where i could purchase longhorn steers for 28mm cowboys,
i would be looking for plastic toys to cut costs if possible as i will need around 30 for a decent herd,
i have tried ebay but cant find any, thanks in advance

Brian

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: has.been on May 03, 2020, 11:49:57 AM

Cheap shops, like Poundland & B&M Bargains, do tubs of animals.
The Zoo set is useful for African stuff (Zebras, Lions, Giraffes etc)
while the Farm set gives some useful cows etc.
Take some small pins, bend them, cut off the heads & using a pair
of pliers push them into the cows head. When painted and multi-based
they should pass muster for a wargame.

Do not throw away the weird scale other animals. If you don't have any
children, who love these kind of things, convert them into alien beasts.
See my thread, 'Stuf Wot I Dun' where I simply cut the tails off over-scale
leopards & painted them bright blue. Players in one of my Sci-Fi games had
great fun shooting them, until I told them they had landed in a rare species
sanctuary & the (heavily armed) game wardens were about to arrive.

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: Digits on May 03, 2020, 12:32:24 PM

Ertl do lots of cheap plastic cattle.  That’s what most Wild West collectors tend to use.  Hereford cattle was common in the West too if you cant find long horns.

Personally, I love the Dixon metals....but you are right...cost.

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: skip on May 03, 2020, 01:04:58 PM

thats great advice, thanks guys

Brian

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: bulldogger2000 on May 03, 2020, 01:17:46 PM

You might try looking up the toy company Ertl.  They used to sell some old west type play sets that included some very nice longhorn steers that mixed well with 28mm.  Around here they were available through Tractor Supply Company.  I do not think that they make the play sets any more, but they may still have the figures available either in other sets or as a stand alone purchase.

I just did the leg work for you....here is a Farm/Ranch set, with the longhorns included.  Their buildings are nicely done and some of the other items are appropriate for the old west.    https://www.3000toys.com/ERTL-Toys-Farm-Country-Western-Ranch-Playset-Over-65/sku/ERTL12278

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: skip on May 03, 2020, 07:20:43 PM

thanks very much bulldogger2000

Brian

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: Cory on May 03, 2020, 08:45:46 PM

Educational children's  stores often sell bulk plastic animals, most of my Old West cattle come from sorting through the bins. I made several into long horn by adding wire and green stuff horns, a few I added a larger shoulder hump to.

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: skip on May 03, 2020, 10:29:39 PM

cool idea

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: Golgotha on May 04, 2020, 05:07:51 PM

Hi Skip

Perfect 28mm Longhorn are available from Britannia Miniatures, see:

https://www.grubbytanks.com/product-category/britannia-miniatures/28mm-ranges/28mm-the-wild-west-new-britannia-figures/

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: skip on May 04, 2020, 05:47:35 PM

thanks Golgotha, never thought of them, they have no photos on the website, would you have any ?

Brian

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: Golgotha on May 04, 2020, 07:01:43 PM

Sure partner I will round em up and take a few pics for you.

You can see some pictures here in the interim https://frictionbmcminiatures.blogspot.com/2020/04/golgothas-wild-west-town-and-miniatures.html

but I will take some better pictures for you.

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: skip on May 04, 2020, 08:39:01 PM

thanks mate, i see a few photos of them and they look fine for a reasonable price

Brian

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: Golgotha on May 04, 2020, 11:17:41 PM

Hi Brian

As promised.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-webiHhn4-X4/XrCSjbAs5kI/AAAAAAAAOj0/XsT27Zo7e4Ay3jKjO1ERfscYCEAgKt2lgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BMC%2BMinis%2BLonghorn%2BOld%2BWest%2B%25286%2529.jpg)

See also: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=123947.0

and https://frictionbmcminiatures.blogspot.com/2020/05/golgothas-wild-west-town-and-miniatures.html

Title: Re: toy longhorn steers
Post by: skip on May 05, 2020, 11:33:42 AM

they are cool, thanks for the photos

Brian