"GI JOE" Prototypes

[kanemono]

Here is a set of miniature weapons that represent the American side of the War of 1812. The boarding axe handle is a piece of wood from the hull of the USS Constitution. The small whales tooth is scrimshawed with a battle between the USS Constitution and HMS Guerrière. I made this group was made in the late 1970's, it is silver, steel, ivory and wood.

Dick

 

[BEAST]

I still have a few of my 1964 GI Joes from my childhood. Recently I started to replace missing or broken gear and planned on staying with original items. However after seeing your work, I would be happy to add these to the collection! The detail is outstanding and your Count puts my Noble Knights to shame. Look forward to seeing more examples!

[kanemono]

Here is a small bronze I did in 1995 titled "Artilleryman at Gettysburg". The piece is lost wax cast and is 7" tall.

Dick

[kanemono]

Here is a cased set of miniature swords that would have been carried by officers during the American Revolution. The blades are steel and etched. The grips are ivory and the hilts are silver. They were all fabricated. They were commissioned in 1976 for the Bicentennial of the American Revolution.

Dick

[kanemono]

I was asked to show some different pieces. This is a cased Mauser Schnellfeuer in one sixth scale. This was a Cotswold production piece. They made the pistol, stock and harness'

Dick

[Jack's Son]

Dick.....is there ANYTHING you DON'T do?? These are beautiful works, such fine detail in the size, I'm impressed!

[kanemono]

Thanks Robin. I do very small pieces and very large bronzes. Here is another Cotswold piece. As before everything is fabricated from a hundred or so individual pieces. The MP-40's bolt is spring loaded and works. The stock folds and unfolds. The scope is removable on the FG-42 and the fixed sight folds up and down. The bi-pod folds up and down and the bayonet ican be removed and fixed.

Dick

[kanemono]

Here is a detailed shot.

[Sabrejet]

Unbelievable skill and attention to detail! Do you make molds from these masters and then cast them in white metal or resin?

[kanemono]

These pieces were produced from my prototypes in plastic. The plastic weapons were produced in China for Cotswold Collectibles using injection molds created by pantograph from my brass original prototypes.We did make some pieces in the US in both white metal and resin.Here are some pieces that were produced in resin in the US.

Dick

[kanemono]

Here are several more brass prototypes that were made for Cotswold. All metal parts are brass and the stocks are made from colored epoxy. I really liked the way the lacing on the silencer on the Sten worked out. These are all fabricated from dozens and dozens of individual fabricated pieces brazed and silver soldered together and 1/6th scale.

Dick

[kanemono]

Here are resin production examples of the Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk III.

Dick

[Bugme]

Wow, lots of detail!

[kanemono]

I was looking through my photographs and found this prototype of an M-16A1 and thought I would add it to the post. I think this was mass produced in resin but I am not sure. All of the metal parts are brass and the stock, handguard and pistil grip are made from epoxy. This like the other prototypes is fabricated from dozens of individual pieces brazed and soldered together. The magazine an be removed from the rifle.

[kanemono]

Here is a set of items used by a World War one German sniper. The Stahlhelm has the heavy front plate to protect the sniper's head while firing,he also has the pioneer bayonet for cutting brush. Everything is one sixth scale. The trigger guard on the Mauser is made thicker to allow for shrinkage during the manufacturing process

Dick

[BigJohn#3RD]

Dick,

I never get tired of seeing your work. Thanks for posting. Would it be possible to show us want-to-be some of the thing you do to bring life to these pieces of plastic.

John

[kanemono]

Here is a G-43 snipers rifle I made that was reproduced in the US in white metal. The production piece had a nice heft. The magazine was removable. The rifle was made up from dozens of pieces fabricated from brass except for the stock which was resin.

Dick

[jeb137]

I'd sure like to see pictures of the steps it takes for you to get to the finished product. I can not imagine how you do it.

 

Jon B

Newaygo MI

[kanemono]

Hi Jon,

I'm afraid I never took a series of photographs of the creation of the prototypes. I wish I had. I basically started with the receiver and worked from there using all manner of brass, sheet, tubing, rods and wires etc. Many of the pieces had bolts that worked because, believe it or not, it was easier to make the pieces work than not work. I was lucky to have a friend who was a class III dealer and a couple of military museums that allowed me to look at and take pictures of their weapons collections.

Dick

[kanemono]

Here is a prototype of a Japanese Type 100 Submachine Gun made for Cotswold Collectibles. The full size gun was made in 8mm Nambu. The trigger guard is thick to allow for shrinkage in the manufacturing process. The bayonet is a plastic stock Cotswold item. All metal parts are brass and the stock is made of epoxy. The days of the handmade prototype are over since the injection molds are now cut using a computer controlled milling machine from original blueprints.

Dick.

[Sabrejet]

Exquisite!

[kanemono]

Here is a prototype for an Erma MPE.. All of the metal parts are fabricated from brass and the stock is resin. The trigger guard has been made thicker because the production piece was cast in white metal. Allowance had to be made for shrinkage of the metal when it cooled in the rubber mold.

Dick.

[kanemono]

Here is a pair of miniature Scottish pistols I made in 1976 for the bicentennial. I apologize for the photograph. When I took the picture I was using 35mm movie film from California to save money and the image deteriorated. I tried to scan the image almost twenty years ago on my old Mac and when I tried to transfer to my PC the image really got messed up. I tried to clean it up and this is the result. It was the only image I had of the pistols. I sold all of my early miniatures at gun shows so I have no idea where the pair are now.

Dick

[kanemono]

Here is a "GI Joe" prototype created for Cotswold Collectibles in 1999 of a De Lysle .45 ACP single shot Commando Carbine. This converted .303 SMLE rifle was almost totally silent. It was used by both British and American Commandos during WW2 and Korea. This miniature is 5 1/2" long the magazine is removable the stock folds and the bolt opens and closes. This rifle is made from dozens of individually fabricated brass parts. The stock is sculpted epoxy resin. The trigger guard is thicker than scale to allow for shrinkage. The Middle Eastern knuckle knife is made of brass with a steel blade.

Dick

[KASTAUFFER]

All I can say is WOW. Your talent in creating these is extraordinary.

 

Kurt