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I should point out that Stevo at Stevo's Toys has Brand Spanking New Horses that were cast/molded in the original Thunderbolt molds (!) Why mess with a fifty year old relic when you can get a brand new one? Stevo also has 1/6 scale guns, rigs, zombies, and all kinds of stuff for the 1/6 enthusiast, just go there and take a look.- (12/03/04) - In stock and ready to go?
And, we finally did the work to fix up a 1/6 scale bridle kit to go with our 1/6 scale cast bits. It's a little different that the smaller kits - you'll need to get the kit AND a bit to go with it (keeps it simpler). The kit is part number KWB16 and costs $5.75 (includes complete instructions), see below for info regarding the pewter bits.
I'll be trying to get to the 1/6 scale halter kit, the proper starting point for making your own 1/6 scale tack.
| Part No. | Item Desc. (cast pewter, all fit Marx Thunderbolt) | Price Each |
| C67 | 1/6 Scale Shoe set (4) | $7.75 |
| GRAZ16 | 1/6 Scale Grazing Bit Set | $10.00 |
| SAL16 | 1/6 Scale Salinas Bit Set | $10.00 |
| CAV16 | 1/6 Scale Cavalry Bit Set - includes curb chain | $15.00 |
| KWB16 | 1/6 Scale Bridle Kit - requires bit (above) | $5.75 |
Ok! 1/6 scale shoes, made specifically to fit the Thunderbolt I have here on my desk, in production, in stock, and ready to go! (about time, eh?)
Part number C67, $7.75 for a set of four just like our other shoes.
Then there's the bits(!), the Grazing and Salinas bits are on hand, assembled, with the mouthpiece bars soldered into the shanks. In order to eliminate any possibility of a recessed ring in the shank we had to go with a bar that's a shade long, so you'll need to do a little finishing work. The metal is soft, so it's not a big deal.
Pricing on the assembled bits isn't quite finalized, but for now I'm calling the salinas and grazing bits at ten dollars. No part number yet, but if you order a 1/6 Salinas I'll know what you mean.
Cavalry bits are in, but those take a bit more work for me to finish up. Because of that, I'm calling those at fifteen dollars. That includes the mouthpiece bar soldered in, the lower bar (currently brass, though I'm looking for zinc or something) soldered in, with a piece of chain and two rings to go under the jaw.
Parts sets are also available for those that want or need to go a bit more custom, there's only going to be a quarter or so difference on the grazing and salinas bits, but I'm currently calling the cavalry parts sets at $12.50.
Pictures? Well, all I have handy are some rough shots I did when I got the first prototypes in hand, but have a look:
Shoes, Grazing bit, Salinas bit, Cavalry bitSince the grazing bit was made the same size as the brass one in the photos below, the pattern sheet that's linked down there should fit just fine. Use 1/8" lace and B11s square buckles for the headgear, maybe 3/32" for the chinstrap and reins.
I'll get better pictures pretty soon, I promise....
The bit prices above may end up a little different than what I've mentioned, but those are what I'm going with now.
-Gary
Older stuff:
- 2/25/24 - old info: It's been a long time since this page was last updated, but I've finally begun the final steps to getting a 1/6 cavalry bit in production. Today I received the first test castings, and I think they look great! It's possible that the ring may be a little bit too thin and may not hold up to handling, and we're considering implanting a thicker ring or using brass rings. Since I wound the originals myself from commonly available rod and have some on hand, we'll probably try that first.
Ok, enough of that, check out the pictures and let me know what you think.
While the surface appears rough, that's mostly just an aspect of the metal and it's actually pretty smooth.
Assembly methods are still being discussed, since this is intended to be assembled by the user. The metal has a pretty low melt point, so if soldering is an option I'll have materials and instructions available. Superglue sticks to pewter, so that's another option.
Also planned is an etched brass "US" rosette, so consider how this bit will look burnished up to a semi-gloss, with a US rosette that's been blackened and buffed so that the US and circle stand out from the background. Sweet?
I'll also be working on a reasonably accurate bridle pattern set, according to some drawings I have on hand.
Some in-process items...
I've got a set of sized leather lace for this, I got it measured and laid out a while back, and here, finally, is the pattern sheet
1/31/02 - I finally completed one of these, and I gave it to Kirby. Kirby says "Sweet, sweet, sweet."
I smiled a lot.
I'll make more - photos to follow soon...Ok, here's the pictures I promised.... 
A Group Shot...
- On the left, a basic Salinas bit, used for initial experimentation, which may never see completion due to difficulties associated with materials, assembly, and riveting such small parts.
1/30/02 - It finally occurred to me that it would make more sense to just drill the mouthpiece and solder the pivot rod to the bit (duh). I'll see about that later. Is anyone desperate for these? If so, email me.- In the center, two prototype shoes that I made prior to getting hold of a Thunderbolt. They are each slightly different, but pretty accurate representations of a "00" horseshoe reduced to 1/6th scale, and even considering the differences in the size of the feet on the Thunderbolts I have here, they fit pretty well.
- On the right, two of the latest versions of the cavalry bit.
- On the left is one that has the US rosette machined onto it. This is a pain in my behind to do, and will probably not find it's way into production in this form. Etched and plated rosettes will make more sense, because not everyone will use them, or they may want to plate, paint, or otherwise abuse the bit befor attaching a rosette.
- On the right is a cavalry bit that has had the shank rounded, to more accurately resemble the form of a full sized bit. If you look carefully, you'll see that I removed a bit too much material and that it lacks the correct taper. I believe that it's too delicate for pewter casting and will be working on a better piece.
I have yet to cut and drill a cavalry bit to take a mouthpiece and the rosette rivets, but that's one of the next things on the prototyping agenda.
- And at the bottom, of course, is an inch ruler to provide visual scale.
- 12/12/01 - Ok, so I'm extremely busy, and if you look at the original date on this page, you'll see that it takes at least six months between concentrated bursts on a project. (it would probably go faster if I wasn't so picky regarding physical accuracy) I'm really trying to get back to this and get somewhere on it, so if you're interested in one sixth parts, email me and I'll put your contact info aside and I'll email you when anything happens.
- 7/31/02 - Well, it's been another six months or so, and I got something else done. I've assembled another cavalry bit like to one above, I've drilled, pinned, and soldered a salinas bit (pictures eventually), and I've got parts for what amounts to a "kit" for the cavalry bit. That would include the profiled sides as they come off my machine, the bars, rings, and chain necessary to complete the bit, a quarter sheet each of 1200 and 1500 grit paper for finishing, and a small loop of solder. If you're handy with needle files and sanding materials, and accustomed to the extreme tedium that would be involved with the finish work on one of these, you can send me (Gary) $20 and I'll send you a kit. I hope to have them in pewter eventually, but you can get machined brass parts right now. I'll be working on the shoes again very soon, trying to complete a casting master that's up to my obsessive personal standards. If you've got any questions, feel free to email me.
-Gary
