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Creative => Customs Gallery => Topic started by: oberasbach4 on February 26, 2006, 00:20:27

Title: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: oberasbach4 on February 26, 2006, 00:20:27
These are my first two customs.
I am a medieval and renaissance history buff, so my creations will lean toward that direction.
This little diorama depicts a German Landsknecht mercenary captain in service of the Holy Roman Empire (in the customary "puff and slash" attire). To his right is a Doppelsoeldner (double paid mercenary) who used his two-handed greatsword to cut down and disrupt enemy pike formations.
Dangerous work indeed...he earned his beer!
I built/modified a number of armor pieces with styrene sheets.
Possible future customs include a Landsknecht artillery train, a Teutonic knight, a Gothic knight with horse plate armor....
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: Meg on February 26, 2006, 00:49:33
I think they are quite remarkable, tho I am no expert in these matters
I particularly like the one you have chosen for your avatar

Meg
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: Captain Henry on February 26, 2006, 01:08:56
Very nice! I like what you've done in painting the horse - it has MUCH more character that way. Also, how did you make the armored skirt for the foot soldier? It looks great!
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: oberasbach4 on February 26, 2006, 01:24:58
Thanks Meg!
Hi Captain Henry. I used styrene sheets and built up the armor by overlapping individual segments.
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: Sylvia on February 26, 2006, 09:09:25
Wow!!! :wow:
Your customs are beautiful! :love:

I love the colours you used on the mounted figure, and the way both men still retain a lot of their original klicky simplicity even with the addition of non-Playmobil parts. Great work! 8-)
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: playmofire on February 26, 2006, 09:09:54
Those are excellent customs, Guido, and go very well together.  The attention to detail and the handbuilt armour and handmade detailing of the costume are amazing.

Why is the "doppelsoeldner" called "double paid"?  Was it because his role in battle was particularly dangerous?

I'd like to see the Landsknecht artillery train next. :)
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: Dan on February 26, 2006, 09:18:08
Great!  I have to try one!
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: Dan on February 26, 2006, 09:21:08
"An experienced Landsknecht would be called a Doppelsöldner, and instead of wielding a pike along with the new recruits, would employ a six to eight foot long halberd or partisan, or a zweihänder, two-handed swords as long as 6 feet. These great war swords could be used to hack off the heads of enemy pikes, or more likely; to knock the pikes aside and create disorder in the tightly arranged line of pikes, in order to break through enemy lines. Doppelsöldner meant double soldier/mercenary, because they were paid double the wages of their less experienced counterparts."

There's more at http://www.answers.com/topic/landsknecht
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: pastifi on February 26, 2006, 10:54:08
Great customs and a history lesson as well  :)
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: playmofire on February 26, 2006, 12:02:40
Ah, I understand now.  Thanks for the answer and the link Dan.
I'd got a bit too tied up with the mercenary element and was thinking more of double paid as receiving money from two sides.
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: Little Jo on February 26, 2006, 18:27:29
I'd got a bit too tied up with the mercenary element and was thinking more of double paid as receiving money from two sides.

(Was my first understanding too  ;))
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: Sir Gareth on February 26, 2006, 19:52:31
Very nice figures great paint job, I really like the sleeves also I like the painted horse as well.
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: Tiermann on February 26, 2006, 21:21:44
Those are great figures, and I am impressed by the horse. :)
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: oberasbach4 on February 27, 2006, 01:01:15
Thanks for the positive response, guys! :)9

Hi Gordon, Dan explained the role of the Doppelsoeldner very well. Most of them were older and well to do mercenaries (some times of noble descent) since they needed armor to be effective in the exposed position in front of the pack(most pike men only had a breast plate).
Thanks Sylvia! I try to make my figures look like they might have come directly from Playmobil.

The complete artillery diorama will consist of the existing two figures, an arquebusier, an ox-drawn gun carriage (I found an example of the old style cannon on the big carriage on EBay), the gun crew, a drummer and a banner carrier.
I find the early 16th century fascinating since it defines the transitional period between the knights of lore and a truly modern military. However, I'm no military fanatic - I also like the renaissance because of it's advances in science, art and appreciation of the human spirit (material for other customs...)
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: mi-chi on February 27, 2006, 11:00:55
Truly beautifull as well as accurate period customs.  8-)
Title: Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
Post by: Morgan on March 04, 2006, 21:10:28
These are great!!! Keep some more comming  ;)