[QUESTION] Headswapping and modifying Perry Miniature's metals?

[LazyStudent]

Hi all,

I am not sure if this is the correct place for this question, so please feel free to move it!

Background (please feel free to skip!):
I have had plans for a while now to build a Danish-Norwegian force for Silver Bayonet, although I realise the rules aren't as popular now as they used to be. So it is going to more be a project for fun/love of it, rather than something that has to hit the table by a certain deadline. I am set on building the Danes partly out of personal reasons (Danish family etc), and partly because I believe while the SB focus is in Eastern Europe at the moment, there is a lot of potential in Scandinavia as well.

Now, I have been looking around for 28mm options for Danish-Norwegian minis, and realise that, unsurprisingly, there are very few options. The Perry Miniatures range is certainly the best and one that I would like to use. I have the 3 volume set of Danish Army Uniform books by David Wilson, published by Helion (btw, these are amazing books. I wish ever Napoleonic country had such a concise set and guide covering everything!). Within the 1st book there is an interesting unit that caught my eye as a suitably obscure side note that would fit perfectly as a unit whose real role is fighting the supernatural. These chaps are the Altonaiske Jäger Grenadier Kompani. The description in the books says that this special company was formed to 1799, as a sub-unit of the Slesvigske Jägercorps, but didn't serve with the parent regiment until 1813 (when the Danish army was in Northern Germany). Their role on paper was to guard the Royal Bank in Altona, which is just outside Hamburg. Which sounds like the perfect cover story I plan to add on additional figures for specialists into the mix later on, but these chaps would form the majority.

Actual question:
The uniform of the Altonaiske Jäger Grenadier Kompani, is stated as that of a Jäger but with Grenadier distinctions. For the Danish this is reasonable simple (unless one wants to be very detailed!), this means it is the bearskin and a different side arm sword compared to the normal Jäger. With this in mind, I have the following plan:

• Take the Jäger figures from the Perry packs No37,38,45, and 46 (a mix of figure poses and versions of uniforms for fun!) https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product-category/metal-ranges/napoleonic/danish-norwegian-army/page/2/
• Take the Grenadier minis from the Perry packs Dan 3, these have the 1803 bearskin which seems the most suitable https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product/dan-3-grenadiers-in-bearskins-marching-1803-08/
• Remove the heads from the Jäger and swap these with the bearskin'd heads from the Grenadiers. Also swap the side arms if possible. - Simples!

My question to the group mind is; Am I being crazy? Could I do this an easier way? Does anyone have experience headswaping the Perry metal minis? I certainly don't. Any tutorials/guidance or thoughts would be most welcome!

Very many thanks in advance, and sorry for the longer than planned post!

Best,
LS

[Silent Invader]

I often create distinctive units - see my Prussian Cuirassiers in the following thread for an example involving Perry headswaps (albeit plastic heads to metal).

https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=130630.270

Your first problem with swapping the metal heads over is likely to be in managing a clean cut. I use chiropodist nail cutters from the rear neck, which tends to preserve the chin albeit at the expense of the collar. You’ll also need to drill and pin for a secure connection then gap fill and/ or rebuild the missing collar detail with GS.

As for side arms (swords?), I couldn’t work out which ones you plan to swap over, but in all honesty just snipping off the metals and replacing with plastic is easier, as it’s generally so much easier to recycle something like that from plastic. Perry often sell individual sprues which can be a useful source of bits.

[AKULA]

I'd echo SI's comments - the only thing I'd add is that when swopping the head on a metal figure, you might want to think about putting a "pillow" of something soft under the mini.

If you need to apply pressure on a craft board, you might squash some of the  detail on the rear of the metal head that you are cutting off which makes it harder to reuse, so maybe a couple of layers of kitchen roll or similar under the figure - not really an issue with plastics, as they don't require as much effort to cut.

[Captain Harlock]

You will need a jeweler’s saw with a 0,06 blade or the thinnest you can find. It’s about 15 euros and it will serve you for years if you have mostly metal minis.
Saw off the heads pin then hide the join with a bit of putty, done. For the swords as it was recommended just snip the blade of the mini and replace it. You can use plasticard as it’s easy to cut and shape. I prefer to do my blades out of hammered and filed copper wire.