Wow. You aren't going to believe what Cotswold Collectibles has in store...

Pardon me for a moment while I bask in the reflected glow of this fabulous artist's work. For some reason, Richard was impressed with my stuff (?) Sure, my FG42 project turned out okay, and I had fun trying to figure out how the real production artists managed to get the precision that they do. I never did figure that one out. As it turns out, Richard was the one who sculpted Cotswold's marvelous FG42! I'll tell you right now-- mine doesn't even come close to the level of craftsmanship evident in his work. I swear, this isn't just false modesty either: He sent me a picture of the metal prototype of that, and the new, improved MP40 which Cotswold has just released... Wow! (unfortunately, that picture had an EOF error, so I can't post it)

So, in good conscience, I can't take credit for scoring the wonderful photos below (this is just a stalling tactic, you realize) -- my e-mail account deserves all the credit for receiving the messages to which the pictures were attached. So... scroll down below and feast your eyes on some of the super kewl things which Cotswold is preparing to unleash on us, courtesy of E. Richard Bonham.

Title: "Miniature Dagger" Material: German silver, resin and leather Size: 2.5" long Date: 1998 Note: This piece was created for Cotswold Collectibles Inc. Richard works mainly in bronze and makes everything with a jeweler's saw and file. He says that working in metal is easier than working in clay or plastic-- yeah, FOR HIM!!! (grin) The man used to freelance for the Franklin Mint after all... no big deal, right?

Title: "Mauser Schnellfeuer" Material: German silver, brass, leather, wood and cold cast bronze Method: Fabrication Size: case: 3.5"x2", pistol: 2 1/8" long, stock: 2.5" long Date: 1998 Note: This 1:6 scale German machine pistol is a prototype and pattern piece created for Cotswold Collectibles, Inc. The pistol attaches to and fits into the stock/holster. It will be used in conjunction with 12" historical figures. Richard says that Cotswold is doing these in pewter, so that they should capture 100% of the original details, and have an authentic scale weight. He's not sure if they're going to do the boxed presentation (waaaaaa!), but even so, these pieces should blow our socks off!

Thanks to Richard, I've finally learned the secret of how those master artists turn out such fine and precision pieces: Hard work.

He casually says, "The FG-42 had about 150 small pieces brazed and silver soldered together. That's what gives the clean look and straight lines." Hot Dang! Piece-o-cake! Why didn't I think of that! (Uhhhh... I'll have to learn to count to 150 first though...)

Thanks Richard and Cotswold! I can't wait!

--Jimbob 05/03/99