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Special Forces K9 Handler - Painted

  • $289.95

Ballantynes of Walkerburn have, since January 1991, been sculpting and manufacturing a wide range of presentation pieces to commemorate farewells, military operations, promotions, long service and other key events. Our customers are diverse, and enjoy our distinctive, accurate sculpting style along with great workmanship.

This sculpture is made in the 12" scale and depicts a Special Forces Trooper about to 'launch' the attack dog into the action. This is the hand painted version.

Ballantynes of Walkerburn Ltd is now recognised as the major figurine manufacturing company in the United Kingdom with a range that is second to none. As a balance to the business we also engrave Crystal and Glass and offer a great selection of products for almost any event. Our work is of the finest quality and each product is individually hand made by skilled craftsmen and women in the Scottish Borders. With many years of experience we are a very capable team and take on the most complicated of jobs with relish.

In the military field we have used the Managing Director's unique first hand experience of regular army military service in the Parachute Regiment to build our reputation on accuracy and quality. We have great affinity with our customers and therefore good service is also crucially important to us, as is fairness in all matters. We are the major supplier of presentation figurines to the various Units, Brigades, Museums and Charities of the British Army and Fire Service across the country. Over the years we have worked for, and with, almost all of the Regiments, Arms and Corps of the British army. More recently we have expanded our sales into Continental Europe, Canada and the United States. Our reference material is first class and all our regimental designs are subjected to close scrutiny before production.

The company maintains a full in-house sculpting schedule to keep up with the demands of our varied customer’s needs and we are now pleased to make figurines for all the Services and the range is constantly expanding. With our extensive range to work from, we are now able to meet the individual demands of specific customer groups and interests. This strength enables us to produce wonderful sculptures that have never even been considered by anyone in the past.

 

Ballantynes of Walkerburn's History

In 1989 the founder of the company (Neil Ballantyne) left the British Army (where he had been serving as a Captain in the Parachute Regiment) and undertook the task of fundraising for 'Para 90', which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the British Airborne Forces.  One of the commemorative designs was a bronze figurine of a Modern British Paratrooper. Due to supply problems, and the popularity of the design, orders for the figurine were soon backing up alarmingly. Having exhausted other potential manufacturers, it became clear someone had to learn the skills required to actually make the figurines to meet the immediate demand.

During the summer months of 1990 Neil mastered how to make the molds and the basics of manufacture. By Christmas he had caught up with the orders and organised a small production unit capable of making first class products. Neil realised that there was a long-term market for high quality designs and with his wife Michelle, set about founding a company. In January 1991, 'Ballantynes of Walkerburn Ltd' was incorporated, with the goal of making hand crafted, high quality, presentation items, particularly for the armed forces. By the end of 1994 Ballantynes figurines were firmly established within the British armed forces, and the collection of Bagpipers had attracted the interest of a number of quality gift shops who appreciated our product's potential as a 'desirable' collectable.

The company is now over twenty year old and we've steadily expanded our range, whilst remaining true to our core values. We now design collections of exclusive figurines encompassing many areas of interest and are proud to see our designs being collected worldwide.We are located in the Scottish Borders 30 miles south of Edinburgh in the small village of Walkerburn. We occupy an old historic textile mill on the banks of the River Tweed, a truly beautiful and tranquil setting in which to work. Ballantynes of Walkerburn has a committed team of highly skilled and experienced staff, providing a focus of employment within the village and our range continues to develop offering new designs to a discerning and expanding range of customers. Ballantynes of Walkerburn Mission Statement is : "To capture the spirit of positive endeavour, believing that our work will uplift and brighten our customer’s lives".