- Joined
- Mar 10, 2025
- Messages
- 8
- Points
- 13

Hello, all.
I hope this is the right place for this and that it’s not too general.
I’m new and will likely ask many annoying questions already posed here ad nauseam, I’m sure, so let me preemptively pardon myself now.
Truth be told, I’m not looking to ship build. Not yet, anyway, and not due lack of interest. On the contrary, I’m generally the type that goes ALL in when I find a point of interest. To the point of obsession even. I’m already weary of it (almost didn’t register so as not to be tempted) and can see myself going down a rabbit hole here very quickly. I’ve already spent quite a bit of time reading through past threads. I just have too many hobbies already and can’t wholeheartedly pursue yet another, for time constraints as well as financial.
That being said, one of those aforementioned hobbies is model building of another sort. Mostly weapons or prop kits with the occasional statue here and there. My current project (obsession) is with the show Black Sails.
I intend to build a full display with the focal point being six 1/10 scale busts of some of the main characters from the show. My intention is to set them out on a tabletop underneath a period correct map of the West Indies. I don’t plan on painting these busts in color, ie skin and cloth tones, but in a faux brass to more resemble a museum grade bust made of a historic figure, some of whom are.
In addition to the busts, I’d like to populate the display with other maritime pieces and that’s how I came to be here with you folks.
I realize some of these items won’t necessarily fall into what you guys are using. Especially the larger 1:1 stuff. Truth be told, I could get a 6” anchor paperweight which has nothing to do with model ships, but maybe there are better options out there. As I mentioned, I’m familiar with other forms of the hobby, so kits or anything in need of assembly is fine. In fact, I’d rather make these pieces than flat out buy them completed.
Wheel

Nets
Cannon(s)
Gold
Jewels
Compass caliper
Banners
Spyglass
Shot
In short, anything British/Spanish early 18th century circa 1710-30ish maybe?
Now, I could just google “18th century naval cannon” and get whatever matches looked the part. Most people wouldn’t scrutinize that, but it would bother me if the breech/button or carriage were incorrect to the period I’m attempting to recreate, so I registered here in hopes that I might get some help to stay true to this venture.
For example, there’s a Denix cannon (see attached) that to the layman’s eye looks pretty darn close, but that eyelet on the butt doesn’t look right to me. All of the canons I’ve seen (in the show or otherwise) always have the rope wrapped around the button.
Everything doesn’t need to be in scale with one another. I may add a 1:1 Doune flintlock to this display at some point, so don’t feel restricted by size. 1/10 bust, 1:1 pistol, 1/700 flotilla…doesn’t matter so long as it’s cohesive. That’s another reason why I chose to join here rather than a historical site as I know you guys work in many scales and would know the places to source the pieces im looking for as well as identify them.
I’d like not only get your knowledge on the correct parts to use, but also your opinions on how to make this display something very special, so any and all suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Chris-

I hope this is the right place for this and that it’s not too general.
I’m new and will likely ask many annoying questions already posed here ad nauseam, I’m sure, so let me preemptively pardon myself now.
Truth be told, I’m not looking to ship build. Not yet, anyway, and not due lack of interest. On the contrary, I’m generally the type that goes ALL in when I find a point of interest. To the point of obsession even. I’m already weary of it (almost didn’t register so as not to be tempted) and can see myself going down a rabbit hole here very quickly. I’ve already spent quite a bit of time reading through past threads. I just have too many hobbies already and can’t wholeheartedly pursue yet another, for time constraints as well as financial.
That being said, one of those aforementioned hobbies is model building of another sort. Mostly weapons or prop kits with the occasional statue here and there. My current project (obsession) is with the show Black Sails.
I intend to build a full display with the focal point being six 1/10 scale busts of some of the main characters from the show. My intention is to set them out on a tabletop underneath a period correct map of the West Indies. I don’t plan on painting these busts in color, ie skin and cloth tones, but in a faux brass to more resemble a museum grade bust made of a historic figure, some of whom are.
In addition to the busts, I’d like to populate the display with other maritime pieces and that’s how I came to be here with you folks.
I realize some of these items won’t necessarily fall into what you guys are using. Especially the larger 1:1 stuff. Truth be told, I could get a 6” anchor paperweight which has nothing to do with model ships, but maybe there are better options out there. As I mentioned, I’m familiar with other forms of the hobby, so kits or anything in need of assembly is fine. In fact, I’d rather make these pieces than flat out buy them completed.
Wheel

Nets
Cannon(s)
Gold
Jewels
Compass caliper
Banners
Spyglass
Shot
In short, anything British/Spanish early 18th century circa 1710-30ish maybe?
Now, I could just google “18th century naval cannon” and get whatever matches looked the part. Most people wouldn’t scrutinize that, but it would bother me if the breech/button or carriage were incorrect to the period I’m attempting to recreate, so I registered here in hopes that I might get some help to stay true to this venture.
For example, there’s a Denix cannon (see attached) that to the layman’s eye looks pretty darn close, but that eyelet on the butt doesn’t look right to me. All of the canons I’ve seen (in the show or otherwise) always have the rope wrapped around the button.
Everything doesn’t need to be in scale with one another. I may add a 1:1 Doune flintlock to this display at some point, so don’t feel restricted by size. 1/10 bust, 1:1 pistol, 1/700 flotilla…doesn’t matter so long as it’s cohesive. That’s another reason why I chose to join here rather than a historical site as I know you guys work in many scales and would know the places to source the pieces im looking for as well as identify them.
I’d like not only get your knowledge on the correct parts to use, but also your opinions on how to make this display something very special, so any and all suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Chris-

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