Hi everyone,

I picked up a rosewood and boxwood set of pieces today at the antique shop for the princely sum of $6. The rosewood pieces are minty, as are most of the boxwood pieces, but two of my boxwood pawns look like they got in a fight with a dog and lost. Where can I get new ones made? They're two inches high (50mm) with a 1.25 inch (30mm) base.

I'll take some pix if you all think it would help, but they're basically these:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/390366441075?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649 with a 3.75" King.

Is there any place I can get my two damaged pawns replaced with new ones, or am I going to have to shell out for a new set?

I am not aware of anyone who sells individual pieces. I taught for the Berkeley Chess School and they had five gallon buckets of spare chess pieces because for some reason it was black pawns that went missing the most. Has Elizabeth been able to get just black pawns she could have had several complete sets, and these were the cheap plastic "club" sets. I can only suggest keeping an eye out for a similar set with missing or damaged pieces priced cheap that has at least two good white pawns.

Maybe there is a student in a wood shop class nearby who needs a project and who could be paid to use a lathe to make new pawns.  Decades ago in high school I did a mediocre job of making an entire set for myself from my own design.  Some of the pieces came out quite well including the pawns, but my knights were terrible.

Maybe you should try a pawn shop (sorry, I just couldn't resist that one).

1) Find an online retailer who sells pieces close to yours

2) Send them an email inquiring if they would part with two pawns, and for how much

3) Send them a pawn for matching purposes (I'd tie some string around the collar)

4) If they think they have a close match, have them send all three pawns to you. I'd have them reuse the original shipping box. Make it easy for them.

Since all these guys seem to send replacement pieces for sets they sell, the above advice seems your best bet.

I've sent out emails to a few vendors and there are a couple that might be able to help. They don't need the pawns, though--all they needed were measurements and a couple good pictures. Hopefully I'll find what I need in the next few days for a reasonable price.

Thanks, everyone.