BMSS Handbook
The BMSS Handbook is designed to provide members of the Society with a constantly expanding authoritative source of up-to-date information and reference on all aspects of the Society, the hobby and the prototype. This page lists the contents of the BMSS Handbook published so far. BMSS Members may download pages electronically from the Handbook page in the Members' Area.
BMSS Handbook - Contents
The Handbook is published in standard A4 sheets, designed to be filed in any standard A4 loose-leaf binder. In the top right-hand corner is an alphabetical/numerical key for filing the sheets in the correct order. The key to the main subject headings is as follows:
A: The Society
B: Competitions
C: Modelling techniques etc.
D: Uniform information
E: Equipment information
F: Weapons information
G: Historical background information
H: Important books, models, etc.
I: BMSS publications and special services, etc.
J: Miscellaneous
List of Handbook pages already published
Section A: The Society
1.1.Re: Local Area Representatives and Meetings
Pages 1-2: Local Area Representatives, Special Interest Group Organisers, Regular Local BMSS Meetings (updated annually)
Pages 3-4: Local Area Representatives Terms of Reference, Guidelines for the formation and running of a BMSS Area Branch (Feb 1989)
1.1.Ru: Rules of the British Model Soldier Society (4 pages, Feb 1999)
1.2.Fe: Fellowship of the British Model Soldier Society, Accolade of the British Model Soldier Society (2 pages, Aug 1988)
Section B: Competitions
1.1.Ru: BMSS Competition Rules (2 pages, Jan 1986)
2.1.Ju: Brief for Judges for BMSS Competitions (4 pages, Nov 1999)
Section C: Modelling Techniques etc.
1.1.Ex: Facial expressions (2 pages, Feb 1988)
1.1.He: Proportions and muscles of the head (2 pages, May 1996)
1.1.Hu: The Human Figure
Pages 1-2: The human figure (male) (Apr 1986)
Pages 3-4: The human figure (female) (Sep 1986)
Pages 5-6: The human figure (male and female): more data (May 1988)
1.2.Ho: The Horse
Pages 1-4: The horse (proportions and measurements) (Jul 1986)
Pages 5-6: The paces of the horse (Jul 1987)
Section D: Uniform information
1.1.He: Home Service helmet, British Army (other ranks) (2 pages, Jul 1986)
1.2.Me: British Army Cavalry Mess Dress. Series 1
Pages 1-2: 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards: Senior Officers (Aug 1995)
Pages 3-4: 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards: Junior Officers (Nov 1995)
Pages 5-6: Life Guards (Mar 1996)
Pages 7-8: Blues and Royals (Aug 1996)
Pages 9-10: 1st Queens Dragoon Guards (Feb 1997)
Pages 11-12: 9th/12th Royal Lancers (May 1997)
Pages 13-14: Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Nov 1997)
Pages 15-16: 17th/21st Lancers (Nov 2000)
Pages 17-18: 16th/5th Lancers (Mar 2001)
Pages 19-20: 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) (May 2001)
Pages 21-22: The Queen's Own Hussars (Jul 2001)
1.3.Me: British Army Cavalry Mess Dress. Series 2: The New Regiments
Pages 1-2: Royal Dragoon Guards (Aug 1998)
Pages 3-4: Queen's Royal Hussars (Nov 1998)
Pages 5-6: King's Royal Hussars (May 1999)
Pages 7-8: The Light Dragoons (Aug 1999)
1.4.Br: British Army Uniforms c.1880, taken from "Garment Making" by J. Williamson, 1880 (12 pages, May 2003 - May 2004)
1.5.RE: Dress of the Royal Engineers, 1866. (4 pages, May - November 2008)
2.1.He: Helmet flashes 1899 (Boer War period) (4 pages, May 1999)
3.1.He: English Civil War helmets and armour
Pages 1-2: Three-bar cavalry helmet (Mar 2002)
Pages 3-4: Single-bar cavalry helmet (Jul 2002)
Pages 5-6: Pikeman's helmet (Oct 2002)
Pages 7-8: Pikeman's armour (Feb 2003)
3.3.He: Royal Marines ceremonial white helmet (2 pages, Apr 1987)
4.1.Me: Campaign medals for British India
Pages 1-2: General Service Medals (Feb 1998)
Pages 3-4: Specific Campaign Medals (Feb 1998)
Pages 5-6: Miscellaneous Medals (Feb 1998)
Section E: Equipment information
1.1.We: 1958 pattern webbing equipment
Page 1: Waistbelt (Sep 1986)
Page 2: Padded yoke (Sep 1986)
Page 3: Ammunition pouches (Jan 1987)
Page 4: Back pouches and cape carrier (Jan 1987)
Page 5: Water bottle, large pack, etc (Jul 1987)
Page 6: Assembly of webbing equipment (Jul 1987)
1.2.Dr: Side drum, British Army (2 pages, Feb 1988)
1.3.Ki: Kit bag, 1954 (4 pages, Aug 1989)
1.4.Br: British 1902 universal pattern bridle and bit (2 pages, Jan 1990)
1.5.We: British 1937 pattern webbing equipment
Page 1: Overall layout (Feb 2008)
Page 2: Waist belt and Bayonet frog (Feb 2008)
Pages 3-4: Small pack/haversack and 'L'-straps (May 2008)
Pages 5-6: Basic pouches and water bottle carrier (Nov 2008)
2.1.Of: Personal Equipment of Officers, 1865 (8 pages, Jun 2000)
2.2.In: Musical Instruments, 1865 (4 pages, Mar 2001)
3.1.Wa: Description of Transport and Ambulance Wagons and Carts, 1909 (18 pages, Jul 2001 - May 2003)
3.2.Ha: Description of Horse Harness, 1911 (6 pages, Nov 2004 - May 2005)
3.3.Sa: British Army Saddles, 1911 (8 pages, Jul 2005 - May 2006)
3.4.Ha: Horse Harness for the Field Artillery, 1884 (2 pages, Aug 2006)
3.5.Ha: Elephant Harness for the Field Artillery, 1884 (2 pages, Nov 2006)
Section F: Weapons information
1.1.He: British heavy cavalry sword, pattern 1796 (4 pages, Sep 1987)
1.2.Li: British light cavalry officers sword, 1796 (2 pages, Apr 1987)
1.3.In: Infantry officers dress sword, c.1820 (2 pages, Aug 1988)
Section G: Historical background information
1.1.Ex: Revised firing exercise for the long and short Snider rifle, 1871 (6 pages, May - Nov 2006)
2.1.Ba: Brigade of Guards: Formation of Corps of Drums (2 pages, Feb 2007)
2.2.Ba: Royal Marines Band formations (2 pages, Feb 2008)
Section H: Important books, models, etc
1.1.Bi: Bibliography of military modelling (up to 1989) (8 pages, May 1989)
1.2.Bi: Bibliography of military modelling (update, publications 1989 - 2003) (4 pages, Feb 2004)
2.1.Re: List of Regimental and related magazines (4 pages, Nov 1995)
3.1.Br: Britains "Eyes Right" Regimental models, 1965-1973 (4 pages, Nov 2004)
Section I: BMSS Publications, special services, etc
1.1.Fi: BMSS "Members' Collection" figures (2 pages, Feb 2005)
Section J: Miscellaneous
1.1.Pa: Paints and pigments (12 pages, Aug 1996)
With the BMSS Bulletin issues 2 - 4 of 2007 there were no Handbook sections published, as the BMSS were delighted to be able to issue to members the "Thistleprints" published by Thistle Miniatures, sent to members with the Bulletin by kind permission of Thistle. The prints issued were: Thistleprint 1: British Army Tartan Kilts, Regular Army, 1987
Thistleprint 2: British Army Tartan Trews, Regular Army, 1989
Thistleprint 3: British Army Tartan Trews and Kilts, Territorial and Regular Army, 1992
If members want to file their Thistleprints in the Handbook they should file in Section D: Uniform Information.
The Handbook is published in standard A4 sheets, designed to be filed in any standard A4 loose-leaf binder. In the top right-hand corner is an alphabetical/numerical key for filing the sheets in the correct order. The key to the main subject headings is as follows:
A: The Society
B: Competitions
C: Modelling techniques etc.
D: Uniform information
E: Equipment information
F: Weapons information
G: Historical background information
H: Important books, models, etc.
I: BMSS publications and special services, etc.
J: Miscellaneous
List of Handbook pages already published
Section A: The Society
1.1.Re: Local Area Representatives and Meetings
Pages 1-2: Local Area Representatives, Special Interest Group Organisers, Regular Local BMSS Meetings (updated annually)
Pages 3-4: Local Area Representatives Terms of Reference, Guidelines for the formation and running of a BMSS Area Branch (Feb 1989)
1.1.Ru: Rules of the British Model Soldier Society (4 pages, Feb 1999)
1.2.Fe: Fellowship of the British Model Soldier Society, Accolade of the British Model Soldier Society (2 pages, Aug 1988)
Section B: Competitions
1.1.Ru: BMSS Competition Rules (2 pages, Jan 1986)
2.1.Ju: Brief for Judges for BMSS Competitions (4 pages, Nov 1999)
Section C: Modelling Techniques etc.
1.1.Ex: Facial expressions (2 pages, Feb 1988)
1.1.He: Proportions and muscles of the head (2 pages, May 1996)
1.1.Hu: The Human Figure
Pages 1-2: The human figure (male) (Apr 1986)
Pages 3-4: The human figure (female) (Sep 1986)
Pages 5-6: The human figure (male and female): more data (May 1988)
1.2.Ho: The Horse
Pages 1-4: The horse (proportions and measurements) (Jul 1986)
Pages 5-6: The paces of the horse (Jul 1987)
Section D: Uniform information
1.1.He: Home Service helmet, British Army (other ranks) (2 pages, Jul 1986)
1.2.Me: British Army Cavalry Mess Dress. Series 1
Pages 1-2: 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards: Senior Officers (Aug 1995)
Pages 3-4: 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards: Junior Officers (Nov 1995)
Pages 5-6: Life Guards (Mar 1996)
Pages 7-8: Blues and Royals (Aug 1996)
Pages 9-10: 1st Queens Dragoon Guards (Feb 1997)
Pages 11-12: 9th/12th Royal Lancers (May 1997)
Pages 13-14: Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Nov 1997)
Pages 15-16: 17th/21st Lancers (Nov 2000)
Pages 17-18: 16th/5th Lancers (Mar 2001)
Pages 19-20: 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) (May 2001)
Pages 21-22: The Queen's Own Hussars (Jul 2001)
1.3.Me: British Army Cavalry Mess Dress. Series 2: The New Regiments
Pages 1-2: Royal Dragoon Guards (Aug 1998)
Pages 3-4: Queen's Royal Hussars (Nov 1998)
Pages 5-6: King's Royal Hussars (May 1999)
Pages 7-8: The Light Dragoons (Aug 1999)
1.4.Br: British Army Uniforms c.1880, taken from "Garment Making" by J. Williamson, 1880 (12 pages, May 2003 - May 2004)
1.5.RE: Dress of the Royal Engineers, 1866. (4 pages, May - November 2008)
2.1.He: Helmet flashes 1899 (Boer War period) (4 pages, May 1999)
3.1.He: English Civil War helmets and armour
Pages 1-2: Three-bar cavalry helmet (Mar 2002)
Pages 3-4: Single-bar cavalry helmet (Jul 2002)
Pages 5-6: Pikeman's helmet (Oct 2002)
Pages 7-8: Pikeman's armour (Feb 2003)
3.3.He: Royal Marines ceremonial white helmet (2 pages, Apr 1987)
4.1.Me: Campaign medals for British India
Pages 1-2: General Service Medals (Feb 1998)
Pages 3-4: Specific Campaign Medals (Feb 1998)
Pages 5-6: Miscellaneous Medals (Feb 1998)
Section E: Equipment information
1.1.We: 1958 pattern webbing equipment
Page 1: Waistbelt (Sep 1986)
Page 2: Padded yoke (Sep 1986)
Page 3: Ammunition pouches (Jan 1987)
Page 4: Back pouches and cape carrier (Jan 1987)
Page 5: Water bottle, large pack, etc (Jul 1987)
Page 6: Assembly of webbing equipment (Jul 1987)
1.2.Dr: Side drum, British Army (2 pages, Feb 1988)
1.3.Ki: Kit bag, 1954 (4 pages, Aug 1989)
1.4.Br: British 1902 universal pattern bridle and bit (2 pages, Jan 1990)
1.5.We: British 1937 pattern webbing equipment
Page 1: Overall layout (Feb 2008)
Page 2: Waist belt and Bayonet frog (Feb 2008)
Pages 3-4: Small pack/haversack and 'L'-straps (May 2008)
Pages 5-6: Basic pouches and water bottle carrier (Nov 2008)
2.1.Of: Personal Equipment of Officers, 1865 (8 pages, Jun 2000)
2.2.In: Musical Instruments, 1865 (4 pages, Mar 2001)
3.1.Wa: Description of Transport and Ambulance Wagons and Carts, 1909 (18 pages, Jul 2001 - May 2003)
3.2.Ha: Description of Horse Harness, 1911 (6 pages, Nov 2004 - May 2005)
3.3.Sa: British Army Saddles, 1911 (8 pages, Jul 2005 - May 2006)
3.4.Ha: Horse Harness for the Field Artillery, 1884 (2 pages, Aug 2006)
3.5.Ha: Elephant Harness for the Field Artillery, 1884 (2 pages, Nov 2006)
Section F: Weapons information
1.1.He: British heavy cavalry sword, pattern 1796 (4 pages, Sep 1987)
1.2.Li: British light cavalry officers sword, 1796 (2 pages, Apr 1987)
1.3.In: Infantry officers dress sword, c.1820 (2 pages, Aug 1988)
Section G: Historical background information
1.1.Ex: Revised firing exercise for the long and short Snider rifle, 1871 (6 pages, May - Nov 2006)
2.1.Ba: Brigade of Guards: Formation of Corps of Drums (2 pages, Feb 2007)
2.2.Ba: Royal Marines Band formations (2 pages, Feb 2008)
Section H: Important books, models, etc
1.1.Bi: Bibliography of military modelling (up to 1989) (8 pages, May 1989)
1.2.Bi: Bibliography of military modelling (update, publications 1989 - 2003) (4 pages, Feb 2004)
2.1.Re: List of Regimental and related magazines (4 pages, Nov 1995)
3.1.Br: Britains "Eyes Right" Regimental models, 1965-1973 (4 pages, Nov 2004)
Section I: BMSS Publications, special services, etc
1.1.Fi: BMSS "Members' Collection" figures (2 pages, Feb 2005)
Section J: Miscellaneous
1.1.Pa: Paints and pigments (12 pages, Aug 1996)
With the BMSS Bulletin issues 2 - 4 of 2007 there were no Handbook sections published, as the BMSS were delighted to be able to issue to members the "Thistleprints" published by Thistle Miniatures, sent to members with the Bulletin by kind permission of Thistle. The prints issued were: Thistleprint 1: British Army Tartan Kilts, Regular Army, 1987
Thistleprint 2: British Army Tartan Trews, Regular Army, 1989
Thistleprint 3: British Army Tartan Trews and Kilts, Territorial and Regular Army, 1992
If members want to file their Thistleprints in the Handbook they should file in Section D: Uniform Information.