Custom Mameluke

[Bonaparte]

I plan to add a Mameluk cavalry regiment to my Napoleonic army.

Here is a prototype of a mameluk:

It is based on this official torso that was recreated by Lamanda2:

After color modification:

The colors of the minifig (legs, arms, torso) are based on this design I found on the internet:

What do you guys think?

Does anyone have remarks or suggestions?

Better to ask for them now because once I start mass production it will be too late...

EDIT: Here's a version with a red belt. Looks better when the minifig sits on a Lego horse.

Edited June 23, 2007 by bonaparte

[Mosana]

This is pasted from an old post of mine but is still valid:

"The Mamelukes' uniform was red trousers, a sort of red fez with a white turban around it, like Zouaves would later wear, a shirt of red, green, yellow or blue, and a waistcoat of red or yellow above it, and a blue sash above that. They carried scimitars and pistols. Although you used a brown head for your Roustam, most Mamelukes were from metropolitan France, especially later on when the number of Egyptians thinned out."

[Bonaparte]

"The Mamelukes' uniform was red trousers, a sort of red fez with a white turban around it, like Zouaves would later wear, a shirt of red, green, yellow or blue, and a waistcoat of red or yellow above it, and a blue sash above that. They carried scimitars and pistols.

So my uniform is in line with this description, except for the blue sash.

Although you used a brown head for your Roustam, most Mamelukes were from metropolitan France, especially later on when the number of Egyptians thinned out."

I was planning to give my Mamelukes normal yellow heads with beards and mustaches.

[Fordo]

The offical lego figures that I use are quite expensive so making custom ones is great! The design on the fig looks perfect can't wait to see a whole squadron of them in action.

[Asuka]

Very nice, especially that version with the red belt. *sweet*

But maybe it would look better if the belt would cover the whole

part till where the legs begin....

[El Bucanero]

Looking good Mr Bonaparte!

I didn't know what a Mameluk was so I looked it up at wikipedia.

We don't have this one in the Wikipedia Index have we?

Mr Tiber

Edited June 23, 2007 by Mr Tiber

[zouave]

Great idea.The torso matches perfectely.I had no idea mamluks existed before this.Thanks for sharing a bit of history.

[Mister Phes]

Here, ask Mr Wikipedia about Mameluke Dynasties and some information he will give you. Different to Mr Tiber's link it is.

[oo7]

So my uniform is in line with this description, except for the blue sash.

Lord Bonaparte, there is a very clever way to fix that! Use a blue rubber band. I wraps across a minifig (shoulder to waist) about twice. *y*

[Bonaparte]

Here, ask Mr Wikipedia about Mameluke Dynasties and some information he will give you. Different to Mr Tiber's link it is.

I'm learning more about the Mameluks thanks to you guys.

They certainly have an interesting history.

Lord Bonaparte, there is a very clever way to fix that! Use a blue rubber band. I wraps across a minifig (shoulder to waist) about twice. *y*

Thanks oo7. I never thought about that.

I happen to have some non-Lego rubber bands.

I'll give this a try and see who it looks.

[Mister Phes]

Here is a prototype of a mameluk:

It is based on this official torso that was recreated by Lamanda2:

Was this based on a mini-figure that can be found in the Orient Expedition theme?

[Fordo]

Yes these torso's were based off the offical Orient Expedition theme. I have changed my Mameluk's torso's to this one they look great.

[Bonaparte]

Yes these torso's were based off the offical Orient Expedition theme. I have changed my Mameluk's torso's to this one they look great.

Will you take some pictures? Did you use the version with the red belt?

I have 10 mamelukes ready. I'll take some pics as soon as I have time.

[Fordo]

Yes I will take more pictures (Outside this time) when I get a little more free time, yes I did use the red belt torso.

[Bonaparte]

Yes I will take more pictures (Outside this time) when I get a little more free time, yes I did use the red belt torso.

While we wait for pictures of your Mamelukes, I'll post some of mine.

Here they are, 10 Mamelukes on white horses. Each armed with a sword and pistol.

[Timento]

Wow Bonaparte, those look great *y* *y* *y*

Those Turbans must've cost you quite a bit with BL, I guess.

[Lt. Col. Thok]

This I like. So, these were Napoleon's cavalry while in India, right?

[Bonaparte]

This I like. So, these were Napoleon's cavalry while in India, right?

Don't you mean Egypt?

The Mamelukes make a strong impression on Napoleon whilst in Egypt, so he decided to recruit some of them.

Eventually they became part of the Old guard (cavalry), and served the Emperor right up to Waterloo.

Those Turbans must've cost you quite a bit with BL, I guess.

Turbans are not very expensive (about $0.75).

Edited July 20, 2007 by bonaparte

[Timento]

Turbans are not very expensive (about $0.75).

My mistake then, I thought that they would cost a bit more because they are quite rare...

Almost forgot, no rubber bands yet?

[El Bucanero]

They look very good Mr Bonaparte! The decals are very clean... looks like they are normal printed LEGO® torsos.

Mr Tiber

[Shadows]

Very nice work indeed! *y*

It's examples like this that make me almost want to start a collection of period military minifig customs. Maybe tiny vignettes of one or two appropriate soldiers for each side in a proper setting.

Keep up the great work!

[Fordo]

Yea, those look just like mine except for different heads, and grey saddles. Excellent work with them.