Author Topic: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor  (Read 6155 times)

Offline oberasbach4

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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....
Count Guido

Offline Meg

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Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
« Reply #1 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

Offline Captain Henry

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Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
« Reply #2 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!
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Offline oberasbach4

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Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
« Reply #3 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.
Count Guido

Offline Sylvia

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Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
« Reply #4 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-)

Offline playmofire

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Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
« Reply #5 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. :)
« Last Edit: February 26, 2006, 12:00:46 by playmofire »
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Offline Dan

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Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2006, 09:18:08 »
Great!  I have to try one!

Offline Dan

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Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
« Reply #7 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

Offline pastifi

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Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2006, 10:54:08 »
Great customs and a history lesson as well  :)

Offline playmofire

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Re: Landsknecht mercenary captain and "Doppelsoeldner" in 3/4 armor
« Reply #9 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.
“Today well-lived makes every yesterday a day of happiness to remember and every tomorrow a vision of hope.”