Reformation Figures #3 – Getting Luther Ready

I needed a miniature figure that would adequately represent Luther at that pivotal moment of attaching his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

This seminal event took place (as well we know) on 31 October 1517.

You can buy a steady supply of monks in various ranges of 28mm pewter figures; but to actually have a Luther figure holding a document and – of course – his hammer, proved rather too optimistic.

However ... "necessity is the mother of invention" and all that, so the stage was set for one of 'my monks' to undergo a little plastic / metal surgery. Some hacking, filing, and painting later – and my '95 Theses Luther' is now ready for action.

For those who may be interested, here's a pictorial guide to the transformation:

STAGE 1: LOCATE SUITABLE FIGURE TO USE AS BASE MODEL.

Apply black undercoat and some base colours.

STAGE 2: REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS.

In this case, chop down the crucifix (I enjoyed that!) and take the sword out of his hand. Then remove residual material with a little bit of filing.

STAGE 3: PRODUCE A DOCUMENT (THESES) AND A HAMMER.

All those little pieces of extra metal do have their uses on occasions like this. I filed a 'rectangular block' of metal until it was as 'wafer thin' as I could achieve, and used another lump of metal for the head of the hammer. A small hole bored into the hammer head with a mini drill and the other hand of the Luther figure 'opened up,' and these items were ready to be glued into position.

STAGE 4: APPLY A FEW BASECOATS, THEN LAYER IT UP.

Open those paint pots again ...

STAGE 5: PAINT ON A FEW DETAILS ...

... and Martin Luther is ready for action (see first photo at top of this page)!

... "Where is that church door anyway?" ...