Thanks Marty, Mike,
I have all that gear and then some .... I have learnt the hard way that old collars must be gently tapped back into shape, a good whack and they will split. They are just for show really because it is my backing collars that take all the strain.. I do like to use 1.8mm pins on these old models too ..

I dont think i will ever dye bone, i think it is perfect being white..That recipe is for bone & horn..
Cheers