Yesterday I fought two back-to-back Napoleonic battles using the latest draft of my Fast Play 3 x 3 Napoleonic Portable Wargame (FP3x3NapPW) rules. The battles were generated by the campaign that I’ve been running using the simple campaign rules I have written to use with the map board from Waddington’s 1971 game, CAMPAIGN. The results of these two battles will influence what happens next.
I’ll be writing up the battle reports over the next few days, but it’s fair to say that my opponent – Professor Gary Sheffield (who was in command of the French) – beat me soundly twice. As a result, the Prussians are disarray and if the French can gain the initiative, they could easily be on the outskirts of Berlin in less than a week!
I used a completely different set of figures from the ones I used in the last battle Gary and I fought … and I discovered some more cases of lead rot.
I am beginning to realise that I may have a major problem on my hands, and that my collection of Napoleonic figures is going to be decimated as a result.
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"Lead rot" two words that sends screams of horror into any wargamer and toy soldier collectors brain! I feel your pain :)
ReplyDeleteGeordie an Exile FoG,
DeleteThe problem with lead rot is that it takes time to appear … and there is no cure. I hope to salvage the figures that have not been effected, but it will mean doing a lot of rebasing.
It will certainly keep me busy for some time to come …
All the best,
Bob
Looking forward to seeing the reports Bob. So glad you're feeling well enough again for some gaming.
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteThe recent wargames I have taken part in have helped to kick-start my post-virus fogged mental faculties … which has really helped me to get better.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteI really feel for you having discovered lead rot. I remember way back in early 70s there was some discussion in (I think) Wargamers Newsletter about the cause. As far as I can remember no one really knew. I think some thought it was due to the undercoat, or lack of. I suspect it may be due to low quality casting material, as it is never mentioned these days. At that time most model soldier manufacturers were very new to the trade, and quite a few wargamers cast their own figures.
Until you mentioned it a few posts ago I had completely forgotten all about lead rot. But Jan and I often comment how well our figures, both 28mm and 18mm, have survived. They are kept on shelves in our wargames room. Here in Spain we have a wide range of temperatures between summer and winter, and the wargames room has no ventilation. So it is often very humid. Despite this not only the figures, but also their paper flags and a large collection of very old paper houses (bought in Geremany again in early 1970s).
Your experience sends a cold shiver down my spine!
Hope you can isolate the problem and save the rest of the collection.
PS Really pleased you are feeling well enough to do some wargaming.
regards
Paul
Jan Leniston (Paul),
DeleteI can well remember the seemingly endless discussions about the problem of lead rot, it’s causes, and possible solutions. In the end, it seems to be down to the quality of the alloy used to cast the figures. (Brian Cameron, who was a material scientist, confirmed this in his comment to my earlier blog post about lead rot.)
From what I can gather, as long as figures were cast from good quality alloy, washed and cleaned before being properly primed/undercoated, and then painted, they should not be affected by lead rot.
Storage doesn’t seem to be instrumental in the onset of lead rot, but may cause damage to the paintwork on figures. It sounds as if your storage should not cause you any problems, although improving the ventilation might make assurance doubly sure.
Having looked at several more boxes of figures, I would estimate that about 1 in 10 are showing signs of lead rot. This would certainly decimate my collection … but not to an extent that made it unusable.
Taking part in three wargames over two days did rather stretch me … but in a good way, and helped kick-start my mental processes at a time when they needed it.
All the best,
Bob
BOB,
ReplyDeleteGlad that your up for a spot of Gaming and feeling a whole lot better now. Lead Rot? I'm of the opinion that it is a form of 'Oxidation' - a type of 'Rust'....I make the point of fully Lacquering all my metal figures- the thought is to encapsulated the figure entirely with a coating that is impervious to the air....this stopping any 'oxidation'. Best Wishes. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteI’ve really enjoyed taking part in three wargames in two days. It has given me a mental boost and has helped in my recovery from the virus I caught.
The lead rot is down to the oxidisation of poor quality casting alloy. It’s onset can be slowed, but once it starts, it cannot be ‘cured’. It sounds as if your approach is the optimum one.
All the best,
Bob