Toy Soldiers

TOY SOLDIERS
The new compact study guide and identifier

Norman Joplin
This page intentionaly left blank
'{ I r
" , ':' I ,
~ /
~ ,
TOY SOLDIERS
The new compact study guide and identifier
TOY SOLDIERS
The new compact study guideand identifier
Norman Joplin
A QU INTET BOOK
Published hy New Burlington Books
6 Blundell Street
Lond on N7 9BH
Copyr ight 1996 Quintet Publishing Limited.
All right s reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retri eval syste m or transmitt ed in
any form or byany means, electronic, mechanical ,
photoco pying, reco rding or otherwise, without the
permission of the copyright holder.
ISBN 1- 85348-925-5
This hook was designed and produced by
Quintet Publishing Limited
6 Blundell Street
Lond on N7 9BH
Creative Director: Richard Dewing
Designer: [ames Lawrence
Project Editor: Alison Bravington
Editor: Tim Hall
Photogra pher: lan Howes
The mater ial in this publication previous ly
appeared in Toy Soldiers by Norman Joplin.
Typeset in Great Bri tain by
Central Southern Typesette rs, Eastbourne
Manufactured in Hong Kong by
Regent Publishing Services Ltd
Printed in China by
Leefung-Asco Printer s Ltd
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 6
USING THIS GUIDE 14
SOLID FIGURES IS
HOLLOW-CAST FIGURES 20
COMPOSITION FIGURES 32
DIMESTOR E FIGURES 35
PLASTIC FIGURES 40
N EW TOY SOLDIERS 57
NEW METAL MODELS 66
OTHER MATERIALS 73
TOY SOLDIER SHOWS 76
FURTH ER READING 77
PERIOD ICA LS 78
SOCIETIES, CLUBS AND AUCTIONS .... 79
INDEX 80
I NT ROD UCT ION
INTRODUCTION
T
he pract ice of making miniature
representati ons of soldiers can be
traced back to Ancient Egyptian
times, for the firs t small warrior-like
figur es were di scovered in the tombs of
the Pharoahs, where they were probably
placed as part of religious cere monies .
Examples of Roman solid figures can be
see n in the British Museum, London, and
these are thought t o have been playthings.
Th e discovery at Xian in China of a full -
size terracotta army bears t est imony to
th e compulsion t o reproduce real -life
military soldiers.
Toy soldiers were for childre n. At fir st
th ey were only availabl e in limit ed
numbers, and so were expe nsive and
tended to be bought for the children of the
6
Austrian- madeflat fiaures, c.1930, depictinq
soldiers tj the American War tj Independence.
They are 30mm (1:4in) hiah .
nobil ity. Later, as manufacturing became
more so phisticate d, more so ldiers at
cheape r pri ces became available for all
children to enjoy. By th e lat e 19th centur y
many a Victorian Christmas tree would be
surrounded by all manner of toys, and for
boys boxes of toy soldi ers became a must.
The mid-18th cent ury had see n the
manufacture of so me of th e fir st
comme rci al toy soldiers - flat , solid and
mad e of lead - in Nure mbe rg in Germany.
Heinri chsen was one of the major
manufacturers. Semi-flat so ldiers were
also produced in Ge r many at thi s time.
Th e toy soldier as we know it today
pr obably evolved from the solid , fully
rounded figures produced in Fran ce as
early as 1790, and French and German
companies were to dominate the market
for an other cent ury. However, in 1893
WiIliam Britain, the son of a British toy
manufacturer, invented th e process of
hollow-casting in lead and th ereby
initiated a toy-soldi er revolution. Many
UK firms imitated William Britain's
methods, and the addition to their ranges
of farms and zoos, boy scouts and cowboys
and Indians, allowed these manufacturers
to capture the lion's share of the British
toy -soldier market .
Production cont inue d throughout
Europe up to and during World War I,
with minor attempts bein g mad e t o
A hollow-cast British
soldier in a World
Har ] uniform. The
UK manulacturer is
unident ifi ed, but the
finure is 65 mm (2!1in)
hinh and dat esf rom
around ] 920.
INTROD CTION
A Nazi Suirmabt etlunq
(stormtrooper) finure if
the ] 920s. It is 54mm
(2!4in) hinh, and if
UnknOIl 71 mamifacwre.
produce toy soldiers in the USA. By
World War 11 the US market had become
self-sufficient with ranges of slush- or
holl ow-cast toy soldiers , available th rough
the "five and dime" sto res . Lat er, these
figur es were given the ni ckname "dime-
store" ; the name has stu ck and is now
synonymo us with US toy soldiers .
Most producti on stopped dur ing
World War 11. Up to thi s time Germany,
Fran ce and Italy had gen erally persist ed
with solid toy soldi ers , whil e British
makers cont inue d t o exploit the more
economical method of holl ow cast ing.
However, in the mid-19 30s some German
co mpanies had star te d producing
co mposit ion figures, a combinat ion of
sawdus t, pumi ce powder and glue,
sc ulpt ured ar ound a wire frame or
armature. The maj ori ty of these German
soldiers were tr oops of the Third Reich.
7
I NTIIOlI lJ CTIO N
After World War II the production of
lead figures resumed, but exper ime nts
were alrea dy taking place with pl astic, and
by th e early 1950s many UK and
Euro pea n companies were turning to the
pl ast ic injecti on moulding syste m. Th e
manufacture of holl ow-cast lead ' figures in
the UK ceased in 1966 when legi slat ion
pr ohibited th e sale of it ems whi ch
conta ine d lead paint. Lead militar y
miniatures of a "non- toxic" material (lead
figures coate d with a lead-free undercoat
then painted with lead-free paint) filled
the gap between I 966 and 1972 , when
white New Toy Soldi ers were devised .
Th e lattcr remain in producti on today.
As with all fields of co llcct ing it is only
when items become unusual or rare that
th e desire t o acc umulate eit he r for
pl easure or investment becomes para-
mount. So it is with t oy soldiers .
Coll ccting them sta r te d t o become
fashionable in the carly 1960s as the
holl ow-cast and other lead soldiers were
being discontinued. Some collecto rs are
trying to reli ve the days of their childhood
by acquiring the long-lost Christ mas gifts
of years gone by; others, perhaps from a
militar y background, gain pl easure in
forming parades or battlegrounds with toy
soldi ers. Whatever the reason, the hobby
is now more for adults than chi ldren.
Plastic Wild Westfie uresfrom Britain 's
Deetail ranee.
8
SOUVENIRS AND
MEMORABILIA
A Scotti sh clansman, IOOmm (4in) hi8h, issued as
a souvenir byBritains in the 1980s.
Toy soldiers sold as souven irs in gift sho ps
at airports, stately homes or tou rist spots
are becoming collec table. The Canadian
market perhaps reflect s this more than any
other co untry. The militar y-st yle uniform
of the Royal Canadian Mounted Poli ce is
recogni zed by all who are int erest ed in
soldiers, and toy-soldier manufacturers
everywhere have capitalized on thi s by
producing Mountie figures in all shapes,
sizes and mat erials. Gift shops in the
Niagar a Falls area are crammed wi t h
examples of figures, fr idge magnets and
snow sce nes.
I NTIlOD UCTION
West Point Academy in New York is
also a popul ar spot, attract ing thousands
of visit ors each year, and toy cade ts are
readily available. In Gr eece, toy versions
of the famous Evzone or Royal Guard with
their unusual, colour ful uniforms are an
attractive pr opositi on . Scotland, whose
t ourist indust ry must be one of th e
world's lar gest, is we ll supplied wi t h
figures of Highlanders.
Toy shows also provide the co llec tor
with a chance to enhance a collec tion wi th
souvenir badges or comme morative toy
soldiers . This kind of merchandise is
creating a new area of collect ing, and
senti mental collec tors are now willing to
pay inflat ed sums to acquire an it em that
celebrates a particular show.
The souvenir <if a visit to Fort Will iam Henry in
Canada. Thefi8ure is 70mm (2!4in) hi8h , and
made byMini kins in Japan in 1950.
9
INTRO[) UCTION
FOC US ING A COL LECTION
What soldi ers you decide to collec t is very
much a matter of personal preferen ce.
However, there are some general facto rs
which are useful to bear in mind before
you get star te d as they will help you
decide what directi on you want your
co llection to go in and to make sure that
you get maximum satisfaction from it.
The fir st question t o ask yoursel f is
wh at you are particularly int erest ed in.
Do you have a speci al area you want to
focus on? Perhaps you will want to collect
a cer tain type of soldier, or the work of a
parti cul ar manufacturer. Coll ections can
be ar ranged by manufacturer, size or type
of materi al, or you can concentrate on
A solid-cast HiBhland lficer, 54mm(2J1in) hiBh.
made around 1953 bythe UK manulacturers
Greenwood &..Ball.
1 0
cer tain periods in history, individual wars
and campaigns , types of uniform - even
particular regiments. It may be that at the
beginning your collec t ion will contain a
mixture of items and as you become more
involved you will decid e how you want to
specialize.
Another fact or to bear in mind early on
is cost . Some soldiers are mu ch more
expensive than others and you need to be
abl e t o assess which collec t ing areas you
can afford. It is useful to scout around the
various toy-soldi er outl ets if you are a
newcomer to the hobby. Thi s will give you
an idea of what is availabl e, and what the
pri ces ar e, before you commit yourse lf t o
a pur chas e.
This kneelinp' rifleman, 75mm(3in) hiBh, was
made cif composition material by Playwood
Plastics in 1942.
WH ER E TO BUY
Specialist collec tors shops are found in
most of th e world 's ma jor ci t ies . In
addition t o these, soldiers are commonly
availabl e from toy shows , flea markets,
antique fair s and markets and at aucti ons.
I NTR OD UCTI ON
Th en there is always the chance that you
will find some thi ng special at a car- boot
sale, jumble sale or in a junk shop.
Swaprneets are also popular, wh ere you
can meet other toy soldier enthusiasts and
swap items.
LEFT A US irifantry
fiBure manujactur ed
durinq the ear{y 1950s
byLincoln LOBs.
RIGHT The American
Soldier Co. made thi s
Victorian -style sailor
in a straw hat in the
late I 920s.
GU I DE TO AUCTION
PROCEDURES
Auct ions deser ve a spec ial ment ion . They
are a good source of toy soldiers but can
be daunting. Attending auctions can be
both a source of revenue (if you are
selling) or an op portuni ty t o purchase.
Th ey also provide an opport uni ty to see
what is on the market and what the pr ices
are . There are three basic rul es that will
make the purchase of t oy soldiers more
enjoyable.
1. Make yourself aware of eac h ind ividual
auct ion- house's rul es, commission rate
and tax on commission.
2. If possibl e obta in a cat alog ue in advance
and try to view the ite ms you wish to
purchase .
3. Consult the auction house regarding
reser ves for your items to ensure that if
yo ur proper t y does not reach the
expected pr ice it wi ll not be sold for less
than your agr eed reserve.
I I
INTROII UCTION
ID ENTI FI CATI O N OF TOY
SOLD IE RS
Th e majority of toy soldiers bear some
mark on the underside of the base whi ch is
some t imes only the country of manu-
facture. Others have the name of the
manufacturer or are marked in away that
gives an ind icati on of its origin.
Th e British co mpany, John Hill ,
marked "Johillco" or "John Hill" on their
figur es, but also stamped on an
abbreviati on of "cop yri ght", spel t
"copyrt". Britains marked nearl y every
figur e, but used a var iety of marks
including their name, Britains Ltd. Only
very early examples may not carry a mark .
For a whil e the company used paper label s
until all their moulds could be ret ooled t o
accommodate the copyright stamp. These
paper label s are not always in place, which
may be confusing for the novice collector.
Items found in their original boxes
provide obvio us evidence of the manu -
facturer. If you can get hold of or iginal or
A dimestore US Cl cif
World War II vinlaBe.
ThefiBure, 75mm
(3i n) hiBh, was made
by the American
company, Barclay.
12
reproduction cat alogue s thi s can also help
with identifi cation. There ar e a number of
othe r books dealing with the subj ect of
identification (see Further Reading, page
77) and the inexperien ced co llecto r will
find these references very useful.
DI SPLAYI N G YO U R
C O LLECTI ON
Part of the pleasure of having a collection
of toy soldiers is being able to enjoy
looking at th em . The most popular
method of di splaying them is in cases or
on shel ves (it helps if these ar e enclosed so
that dust does not become a probl em , but
air should be allowed to circulate round
th e it ems) . Th e collecto r will decide
whic h so ldiers th ey want t o di spl ay
t ogether, accordi ng t o size, regiments and
so on.
Some co llect ors pr efer t o ar range their
figu res so that they form a scene or
diorama, perhaps depicting a real or
imaginary reconstructi on of a st ate
occasion, battle or historical incident.
ST O RAGE AND CA RE
Th ose unabl e to di splay their collect ions
should ensure that lead soldi ers are stored
in a dry and well -ventilated ar ea in st rong
cardboard boxes with a light cover ing of
ti ssue paper. Plasti c figures t end t o
become brittle and they sho uld only be
stored in a single row with no pr essure
being put on them.
A perspex display box if Britains' figures,
containing a Yeoman if the Guard, a Scots Guard
and a Horse Guard together with a sentry box.
A word needs to be said about lead rot,
some t imes called lead disease, whi ch can
appear in lead toy soldi ers. Mu ch
inconclusive research has been car r ied out
into it s causes. It is possibl e that cer tain
manufacturing methods may encourage
lead rot, and it is known that storage in
damp conditions does not help. It has also
been proved that direct contact with oak
wood can be a cont ributor y factor. Display
or storage in airtight condit ions should
be avoided.
Th e sign to watch out for is a grey
powdering of the lead. As soon as you spot
this, isolate the item from the others in
your collec t ion in case they also become
affected.
I NTRO D UCTI O N
REPAIR, RESTORATIONS
AND CONVERSIONS
A growing number of collectors ar e trying
to obtain broken or damaged toy soldi ers,
as their special int erest is in restoring old
toy soldiers to their former glory. Other
people obtain broken or even complete
toy soldi ers and conver t th em into
something else. They may put together
pieces from two or more incomplete
soldiers to make a whole one.
Doing this for your own pleasure is a
very worthwhile exercise. However, it
adds nothing to the value - it may even
devalue an item - and most collectors
look for figur es that are in good co ndition.
VALUE
If a figur e is in good condition wh en you
buy it , and remains so, the likelih ood is
that its value will remain firm or will even
increase with age. The value is also
enhanced if th e or iginal packaging is
intact, and co llectors will pay a premium
for soldi ers still containe d within their
boxes.
For those who ar e interested in invest-
ment, it is a very good idea to keep an
inventory of your collect ion. Make a note
of the pri ce you paid originally for each
item and from time to time find out from
dealers what it is cur rently worth. This
means that you can keep a running t otal of
the collect ion's value, which is useful for
insurance purposes and int eresting.
TOY SO LDI E RS llIE NTIFlER
..... ....... .............................. ..................... ..... ....... .......... ...... .......... ..................
USING THIS GUIDE
This book has been organized according to the materials from which the
toy soldiers were made. Solid figures originated in a two-piece mould
filled with molten lead; after cooling the figure was extracted. European
manufacturers produced heads from separate moulds that were then
plugged into the body. The hollow-cast method involved pouring molten
lead into a cold mould, which had an air hole and an escape route for
excess lead. The caster swirled the molten metal around the mould, with
excess being poured through the hole. The figure - empty and light -
was extracted from the mould with pliers. This process required about
one-third of the amount oflead needed for solid figures. In the UK,
government regulations governing the lead content of children's
toys were introduced in 1966, and hollow-cast production
effectively stopped.
Composition figures were generally made from a mixture of sawdust,
glue, kaolin and casein, shaped around a wire armature, then dried and
hand-painted. In the US toy soldiers were usually sold in stores that
stocked numerous cheap items, the "five and dime" stores; hence the
term "d imestore figures", devised by US collector Don Pielin. They were
manufactured in a way similar to the hollow-cast figures, although the
most accurate description would be slush-cast figures. Plasti c figures are
made by the process of injection moulding, in which the raw material is
forced through holes in the centre of a brass mould by an injection
machine. New Toy Soldiers are designed to look like hollow-cast figures,
but are made of a non-toxic white metal alloy sculptured and produced
from rubber moulds, by way ofa centrifugal casting machine. Britain's
New Metal Models, also designed to replace hollow-cast figures, require
a metal die to facilitate the die-cast process. Aluminium figures were
made in two halves from a sand-based moulding tray. Paper or cardboard
figures generally stood on a wood-block base.
Throughout the book, the given heights refer to the toy soldiers, not
the packaging. They are measured from the top of the base to the
forehead, thus excluding bases and headgear. The British and European
standard toy-soldier height is 54mm (2Y.in), while the US
standard is 70mm (2Y.in).
14
TOY SOLDIERS IDENTIFIER
SOLID FIGURES
In the late 18th century the French firm
ofLucotle produced solid, fully rounded
(ie not flat) toy soldiers depicting units
atthe French Army, ataheight of 54mm
(2Xin). These were the first figures
intended to represent the real thing. By
1825 CBG Mignot of Poris hod token
over Iucotes, and began to introduce
many new ranges of toy soldiers, hond-
pointed and fairly accurate inuniform
detail. It isbel ieved that Mignot went out
ofbusiness inthe early 1990s.
Germany runs aclose second to Fronce
in the production of solid-cost iron toy
soldiers. Gearg Heyde of Dresden
produced toy soldiers tram 1870 to
1944, when the factory was destroyed
by Allied bombing roids. Heyde figures
come in0 ronge of sizes, but most ore
45mm (Hlin)in height.
LEFT A British soldier on a
camel, a modern reproduction
based on a 1930s design.
Height: 60mm (2%in).
BEL OW LEFT Two Roman
figures from Mignot, probably
issued during the 1970s from
moulds made 60 years earlier.
Height: 58mm (2Y.in).
BEL OW RI GHT Heyde of
Germany made this ra r e and
valuable large-size figure of a
British lancer in the 1920s. The
horse's saddle-cloth and rider
are cast as individual pieces
and are detachable. Height:
200mm (8in).
15
TOY SOLIJU: IlS I IJ ENTI Fl EIl
SO LID FI GUR E S
like the French Mignot figures, Heyde
toy soldiers hove plug-in hoods, vmich
means that avmole variety ofregiments
could be crooted by putting different
heeds on different torsos. The Heyde
range footured some massive display
sets, includingsoldiers inaction poses
(firing, charging, etc.) and people in
domestic poses (cooks, nurses, doctors
and so on), together with additions like
encompments of tents and field
hospitals, vmich incroosed theploy
value far children. Mignot preferred to
remain with conventional marching or
ceremonial troops.
BEL OW LE FT Ge o rg Heyd e
made this Au strian
infantryman, a dv anci ng with
fix ed ba yonet c. J930. Height:
S4mm (21.in).
BEL OW RI GH T Tr ea sure Ch est ,
a US manufacturer, produces a
range d epicting the American
Civ il War, o f which this
wounded Co nfederate so ld ie r
is part . Height: S4mm (21.in).
16
S O L ID FIGUR ES
TOY SOLIlIERS IIIENTlFlEIl
Solid toy soldiers, mode for adult
collectors, were available after World
War 11 from exclusive shops such as
Hummel and Tradition in London.
Knownas 'connoisseur figures', tIley
were usually attile standard height of
54mm (21:in), altllaugh larger ones
were made, samehmes inkit form, ready
tar tile collectar to assemble and paint in
precise detail.
Holger Eriksson, aSwedish designer,
created tile Autllenticast range for
collectors, manufactured inIreland for
tile American company Comet. He also
designed some 30mm (1 1:in)froops far
Swedish African Engineers, acompany
based inSoutll Africa. Figur ofItaly and
Alymer of Spain made similar items
which were available only intile
European market.
. " OVE Solid connoisseur
ligures designed by Holger
Eri ksson. The k neeling ligure
t o th e right is a Comet itcm
while the others a nd thc box
are Aut hen t icast. Hei ght:
54mm (2Y.in).
KI GHT A Vatican Guard ligure
manufactur ed by the It a lia n
co mpa ny Figur. These mod el s
ha ve plug- in head s. Height:
60mm (2)(in).
' A K RIG HT Tradition of
London manufactured this
solid-cast miniature of an
officer from the Zu lu War in
1970. Height: 54mm (2Y.in).
17
SOLID FIGURES
Between 1950 and 1970 Charles
Stadden and Rose Miniatures were !wo
ot the best-known manufacturers of
connoisseur figures. The interest in
military miniatures was particularly
strong inBritain and France, where these
expensive items could be purchased in
shops near the Musee de I'Armee, and
inthe United Slates.
BELOW The US Honor Guard is
an unusual subject, here
portrayed by Staddcn and sold
through the former London
Collector's Shop in the 1950.
and 19605. Height: 54mm
(2Xin) .
18
ABOVE RIG H T This British
offic<;r of 1815 was made by
Russell Gamage to celebrate
the coronation of Queen
Elizabeth 11. Height: 54mm
(2Xin).
ABOVE LEFT This intricately
painted figure of a soldier
reading orders was made by
Greenwood and Ball in the late
1960s. Height: 54mm (2Xin) .
LEFT This volunteer of 1815,
made in 1973, is easily
identifiable as a Stadden
product by the thin, tinplate
base and the paper label
describing the soldier. Height:
54mm (2Xin).
SO LID FIGUR ES
Connoisseur figures do not form amojor
port ofthe contemporary collecfing
scene, but they ore hisforically
interesting os the first miniature soldiers
to be made specifically for adults, A
foscinating development since the
collapse ofthe USSR hos been the
orrival on the world morket ofRussion
companies sell ing trodihonol solid-cast
toy soldiers, The Angle-Russion Toy
Soldier Compony and Insel ore two such
concems; rt remains to be seen whether
their ptooucts will ever become
collectors' items,
J<U, OW These solid, rather
crude figures were probably
made in the USSR c. I968.
Height: 52mm ( 2 ~ i n ) .
ABOVE Napoleon and his
generals at a map table, made
by Charles Stadden in the mid-
1960.. Height: 30mm (I :l.in).
BEL OW Insel of Moscow made
this hand-painted 1812 soldier
and presented it to the author
in 1993. Height: 60mm ( 2 ~ i n ) .
19
TOY SOLD I ERS II>F.NTIFlEIl
HOLLOW-CAST FIGURES
In 1893 William Britain Jnr, the san of a
UK toy manufacturer, conceived and
perfected the hallow-cast method of
making toy soldiers. Itrevolutionized the
market, hitherto dominated by solid
figures made in France and Germany.
The first hallow-cast figures were aset of
mounted Life Guards, and so began a
long line of issues depicting regimenfs of
the British Army. Later, the scope
widened to include fareign armies, such
as in the Armies of the World series.
The Britain toy soldiers were an instant
success with children, partly because
they were cheaper and came packaged
in attractive red boxes, and partly
because they had movable arms.
AIlOVE The Bodyguard of the
Emperor of Abyssinia, a
Britains' Armies of the World
set made prior to World War
II. A valuable feature is that
the soldiers are still tied into
the box with thread. Height:
54mm (2Y.in).
RI GH T Since the introduction
in 1893 of the Life Guards,
Britains has issued numerous
updated versions of the
regiment's uniforms. This one
dates from the 1950s. Height:
90mm (3Xin).
20
HOLLOW-CAST FIGURES
TOY SOI.lllEKS IUENTIFIEK
Britains' success with hallaw-cast
figures braught it prablems inthe early
20th century. Smaller campanies -
A Fry, C.D. Abel &eo, and HanksBras
far example - said flagrant, and
sametimes cheaper, copies of Britains'
prodUCts. Thispirating onl yceased
when Britains successtully sued its
rivals. Fram 1900 Britains applied
copyright to itsfigures, indicated atfirst
by means of apaper sticker on the
underside of the soldier's base, and later
by stamping the tradename, date and
copyright mark on the base orbellies of
cavalry harses. The paper stickers can
help to date soldiers, and can also odd
to their value.
A ROV E This Britains' cannon
was used with hollow-cast US
Civil War figures in the 1950s,
as a Waterloo cannon in the
19605, and with plastic Eyes
Right and Herald soldiers
until the early 1980s. Height:
54mm (21.in).
Both A. Fry and Hanks Bros
did produce soldiers of their
own designs. The khaki-clad
Canadian soldier (LEFT) was
sold by Fry as part of a series
called Sons of the Empire. The
guardsman at the trail ( FAR
LEFT) was made by Hanks
Bros. Height: 54mm (21.in).
21
TOY SOLDIERS IDEi\TU'IER
HOLLOW-CAST FIGUR ES
Brilains issued its first examples at
khaki-uniformed troops in1899, and
established 0 Poris office in 1905
leading to the creation of many figures
based on French units. Gun teams and
ambulance wagons with troops dressed
inWorld Wor I uniforms were added in
1916. The UK factory scaled down its
production during thiswor but the
French office continued its output of new
figures, and many of them ore now
collectors' items.
I
After the war horse-drawn vehicles,
cowboys and Indians, bay scauls and
artillery pieces were introduced to the
Britains' range, and exisNng models
were continually updated.
ABOVE Bri t ish Ar my-s ty le
lab el s were used b) ' Br it ains
for its kha ki troops.
Heigh t: 54mm (2Xin).
RI GHT Br ita in s' mat c hst ic k-
firing 4.7in naval gun
remained in pro duct ion from
the early 1900s until the mid-
1970s. This boxed example is
highly va lued by collectors.
Height: 54mm (2Xin)
Length: 23cm (9in).
22
HOUNTED FOR t=IELD SERVICE
_
_ AND FULL INITIIUCTIONS fOil
, . IIING ENCLOStO
8KlTAlNS LTD .,

T OY SOL I)! E llS ID ENT! n E ll
H O L L O W - C A S T FIGURES
The UK production of toy soldiers was
halted throughout World Wor 11, but
pastwar govemment restrictions on the
supply oflead meant only aslow retum
to normality. Britains was forced ta
delete certain lines, including many of its
Balkan soldiers and some of its other
European figures. The company
campaigned for the of
controls, and it was perhaps atthis fme
that the first experiments in plastic
producton were undertaken. Britoins
was eventually permiffed to bolster the
ailing economy by producing
toy soldiers for the export market in
particulor the United States. Demesne
only regained its pre-war
strength in the late 1940s.
SELF PROPELLED 155m.m. GUN(
A ............. pOeo e/,.. _ rt ......,.
ItM'dbr '"., I1.. jorW nt...' .
""""",ACT._ IT _HAUlS ue ., WJIlfIllAJlO 110.11. )
lOllOOllU7
This Br il a in s' self- propelled
155mm g u n, ofc. 1955,
mount ed on a Cc nt urion tan k
body, is seen here wi t h its
orig ina l cor r ugated card board
box. Height: IOOmm (4in)
leng t h: 300m m ( 12in).
23
TOY SOLIlIERS IDENTIFIER
HOLLOW-CAST
In the late 1940s and early 1950s
many new itemsappeared inthe Britains
sales catalogues. Agood number of
older lines, especially those represenNng
foreign regiments whose netors had
disappeared during W o ~ j War 11, had
been discontinued. The old Armies of the
World series was replaced by Regiments
of All NaNons, containing foreign and
British Commonwealth and Empire
troops of the postwor period.
Picture Packs - single toy soldiers in
individual boxes - were issued between
1959 and 1965. They were mainly
taken fram existing sets and packaged
separately, although afew new figures
were designed to increase the range.
These ore rare and much sought after by
ccllectors.
FIGURES
BRITAINS
SOLDIERS
HEGUf[\"S or IU ,. N.\1I0,\ "S
ABOVE A Regiments of All
Nations box set. The blue slip
of paper was a packer's
reference, included to enable
the customer to return
damaged or unsatisfactory sets
to Britains.
lEFT This mounted Life Guard
dates from 1959, and was only
available in Britains' Picture
Pack series. Height: 90mm
(31,in).
2t
HOLLOW-CAST
T O Y S O LUI t: HS I1Jt: NTIFIER
FIGURES
In 1954, Ray Selwyn Smith (previously
on employee of M. long, the
manufacturer of Herald plastic soldiers)
was employed by Britoins os 0 designer.
Amongst other things, he created for
them 0 superb series of action figures
entitled Knights of Agincourt. They were
owel come addition to therange of
historical figures, and adeparture from
the somewhat rigidtoy soldiers
previouslyproduced.
1 B r i t a i n ~
J!istoriml
trie'
A ROV E A Britains' box lid
from c.1954. The Historical
Series label was used for
several different sets,
including Coronation issues
and Knights of Agincourt
figures.
RELOW Britains' Knights of
Agincourl boxed set , designed
by Roy Selwyn Smith. Height:
54mm (2Y.in).
25
TOY SOI.DIERS IDENTIt'IER
HOLLOW-CAST F./GURES
For many yeors John Hill &Co.,
sometimes known os Johillco, was
second in size to Britoins and Britoins'
main rival. George Wood, the company's
founder, hod been 0 Britoins' employee
and hod learnt his hollow-costing skills
there before striking out on his own in
RI GH T A John Hill & Co.
mounted Royal Scots Grey
standard bearer. The lead flag
was replaced by a paper
version when lead was in short
supply after 1945. Height:
90mm (3Y,in).
BELOW LEFT An airman in a
donkey jacket, made by John
Hill & Co. and one of a range
issued during the 1930s.
Height: 54mm (2Xin).
26
London in 1898. Wood did not imitate
or copy Britoins' figures. Rather he
designed his own unique ranges, which
ore, some would soy, on 0 par with
llritoins, John Hill figures appear more
animated and reftect the kinds of
positions thof would actually be adopted
by soldiers in bottle, The company's
success derived from this liveliness,
which contrasted sharply with Britoins'
rigid morching or parade-order toy
soldiers,
BEL OW RI GH T A John Hill &
Co, Highland piper. This
figure was available in many
tartans and came in many
grades of paint; the more
intricate the tartan, the higher
the price. Height: 90mm
(3Y,in).
BE LOW CE:-ITRE A guardsman,
kneeling and firing. This was a
typical John Hill & Co. figure
of the 1950s. Height: 54mm
(2Xin).
TOY SOLIlIERS IDENTIFIER
H O L L O W - C A S T F IG U RE S
A BO VE A John Hill & Co.
mounted Field Marshal with
baton, made during the 1950s.
consortium of businessmen set up 0
new factoI'{. several new issues were
designed in1955, but the company
fai led to anhcipale the demise of hollow-
cast figures and did not invest inplashc
injechonmoulding technology. Johillco
was forced into liquidohon during the
early 1960s.
ABOV E This khaki-clad
charging figure was first made
by John Hill & Co. in the early
19OOs, and remained in
production for many years in
this form. Height: 90mm
(3Xin).
LEFT Th e charging Highlander
was a mainstay ofJohillco
production lines for years, and
was available in different paint
versions. Height: 90mm (3Xin).
A BOV E This nurse figure was
in production with John Hill
& Co. both before and after
World War 11. Height: 54mm
(2Y.in).
Right up until World Wor 11 John Hill &
Co. continued to invest heavily in new
ranges of toy soldiers. However, its
London foetal'{ was bombed during the
wartime Blitz. The moulds somehow
survived and were bought and token to
Burnley inLancashire, where a
27
TOY SOL.IlIE IlS I IJ E NT I F I EIl
H O L L O W - C A S T FIGUR ES
Inthe years after 1893 over 100 UK
firms were involved atone hmeor
another inthe produchon of hollow-cast
toy soldiers and figures. Before 1914
A. Fry, Hanks Bros, BMC, Reka and
John Hill &Co. were among William
Britain'smost prolific competitors, but
the first three menhoned were out of
business by 1939. Crescent bought out
Reka in1932 and continued tomake
lead figures unhl 1959, and both
Charbens and Taylor &Barran emerged
in' 1920 Many of these companies
successfully converted to plashc
produchonafter World Wor 11.
Ahandful of new componies emerged
after World Wor 11, with TImpo (shortfor
Toy Importers) being by for the most
successful. Between 1946 and 1955,
and with the assistance ofRay Selwyn
Smith, itproduced some of the best
post-war hollow-cast toy soldiers.
LEFT This Timpo knight was
part of the King Arthur and
th e Knight s of the Round
Table set released to co inci de
with the MGM film. Th e
plume is an air gu n d art.
Height: 54mm (21.in) .
ABOVE RI GH T Two so ld ie rs
from th e Ti mpo US GI range of
t he ea r ly 19505. The lin e
incl uded troops in both ac tion
and d omesti c poses. He ight :
54mm (21.in) .
RI GHT A Red Indian,
p roduced by Har vey in th e UK
c.1951. Height : 54mm (21.in) .
LEFT This sp lend id cowboy
was pr oduced by t he Fylde
Ma nufact u r ing Co. in 1951.
John Hill & Co. took over
Fylde and con t inued t o
prod uce t his ite m. Height:
90m m (3Y,in).
28
HOLLOW-CAST
Britains' toy soldiers were more
expensive than those of many other
manufacturers, and were obtainable
from Harrods and Hamleysin London
and other up-market outlets, The figures
produced by other UK companies such
as Benbros, Jahn Hill &eo. Crescent
and TImpo were cheaper, and widely
available trom chain stores like
Woolworths and independent high-street
shops. European and Americon
manufacturers did adopf the hollow-cast
production method, but never to the
same extent as British companies,
FIGUR ES
TOY SOLDIERS LJI E l'i TI Fl EII
L EFT This guardsman wa s o ne
o f many t ypes mad e in vas t
numbers by Crescent in the
19505. He ight: 54mm ( 2 ~ i n ) .
BEL OW LEFT These t wo
drummers are part of a c heap
range of about 175 figures
produced by Benbros in the
ea r ly 1950s. Hei ght : 54m m
( 2 ~ i n ) .
BEL O W RIGHT This French
sa ilor was holl ow-ca st by GM
in Paris in the mid - 1950s.
He ight: 52mm (2Xin).
29
TOY SOLDIERS IIlt:IiTlnER
HOLLOW-CAST
Edword Jones of Chicago wos one of
the few US manufacturers fa use hollow-
casting methods, relying on the UK firm
of Sole to supply moulds. Jones was a
brilliant designer but apoor salesman,
and hiscommercial ventures failed.
Today hisfigures are much sought after.
30
FIGURES
LEFT This Greek Evzone figure
by Edward Jones is a rare
piece. The Chicago Historical
Society has a large display of
items donated by Jones.
BELOW A rare, individually
boxed example ofa Royal
Canadian Mounted Policeman
produced by Crescent for the
Canadian centennial in 1967. It
is probably onc of Crescent's
last hollow-cast figures.
_ ...v... ...-
(".. ~
.._..~ --
/ ; ~
/,..- "'fADEINENGLAND
TOY SO LDI ERS IIlEl'iTlFlEK
H O L L O W - C A S T FIGUR ES
French manufacturerssuch as Mignat,
LP andGM adapted hollow-cost
methods with mare enthusiasm than the
Americans, but little research on these
companies has been carried out. The
sUbjects were mainly French troops tram
the Napoleonicera or action figures tram
WorldWar I.
BELOW RIG HT Two French-
made figures ofNapoleon's
Imperial Guard, whose large
heads give them a toy-like
appearance. Height: 54mm
(2:1.in).
A BOVE An unusual French-
made British Tommy throwing
a grenade. Height: 54mm
(2:1.in).
BELOW LEFT A beturbanned
Mamcluke of the Napoleonic
period, made by an
unidentified French co mpany.
Height: 54mm (2:1.in).
:J I
TOY SOLD IE IlS I DE NTl FI EII
COMPOSITIO N FIGURES
The most popular composition materials
for making toy soldiers - sawdust glue,
kaolinand cossein - were first
combined inVienna in 1898 by0
compony called Pfeiffer. Thecompound
was common inGermany,
and in1926 the Hausser brothers of
adopted the name Elostol infor
their composihon figures, aname now
widely used to describe all such items.
Elostolin produced mashy 70mm (27:in)
figures from 1904 to 1943, although
sizes did vary and could be as large as
100mm (4in) . Most of the world's
armed forces were portrayed in the ronge
during the 1920s, but the riseof Nazism
inthe 1930s led to an emphasis on the
German armed forces.
32
ABOVE German bands men,
ty pical of t he mid- 1930s. The
oval bases are c ha racterist ic of
Hau sser- Elast ol in figures.
Height: 65mm (2:.1in).
LEFT Two Elastolin figures: a
guardsman a t slo pe arms, and
an o fficer ca r ryi ng a sword.
Height: lOOmm (4in).
TOY SOLDIEIIS IDENTIt'lEII
COMPOSITION FIGURES
Apart trom Germony few countries used
composifion for toy soldiers. As 0
stopgop meosure while leod wos in
short supply after World Wor 11, the Bren!
Toy Co issued asmall range of khaki-
clad infantry inthe UK, based on
Elastol in and using the name Elasfolene.
For ~ e some reoson, TImpa introduced
some small TImpalene figures to ifs UK
range. Toydell was another UK
monufacturer to produce composition or
plaster soldiers.
A nurse, probably made by a
German or Austrian company
in the 19305. Height: 65mm
(2Xin).
Toydel1 made this Yeoman of
the Guard as part of its gift
range during the early 19505.
Height: IOOmm (4in).
This British infantryman, of
unknown manufacture, was
sold through Kresge stores in
the US for a short period after
World War 11. Height: 60mm
(2Xin).
TOY S O l ll l E RS IIlEi"T1F1ER
COMPOSITION FIGURES
FAR LEFT A World War I
st and ar d - bea r ing French
soldier made by an unknown
French company. Height:
70mm (2Xin).
LEFT Although this Indian
Army Sikh of c.1938 is more
ornamental than toy-like, it
was sold as a toy soldier. It was
made of plaster in the UK.
Height : l00mm (4in).
During the late 1940s, again in the
struggleto avoid theproblems at lead
shortage, theBritishfirm Riviere &Willett
issued same large-size composition
models, mare akin to statuettes, andin
the 1950s theMiller campony inthe
USA madesomeplaster-at-Paris figures,
Available in'fiveand dime' stores, these
figuresare prone to chipping and are
collected byaminarity atAmerican
enthusiasts.
RIG HT Miller plast er figures,
d epicting a st r etc he r party
and a field hospital nurse.
DIMESTORE FIGURES
Borclay was founded in1924 by the
brothers Donze and Michael Levy, in
West Haboken, New Jersey. nbecame
the USA's largest manufacturer of tay
soldiers and figures, with the factory
later moving ta Union Cily and
West New Yark.
The nucleus ofthe company's production
was devated to models ot US amned
farces, masny inaction. and Wild West
figures. Many ather ronges were
introduced aver the years. The pre-1939
khaki troops had remavable tin helmets,
while past-war figures had fixed helmets.
Mer 1945 the figures' expensive lead
bases were removed and the feet
widened. giving rise ta the name of
' podfoot figures' , Many were built to a
standard size of 70mm (271in), but
same were made at45mm (l 71in) and
othersat75mm (3in), Borclay ceased
trading in1971.
Barclay World War I grenade
thrower, made in 1935.
Height: 75mm (3in).
BELOW LEFT A Barclay-made
podfoot soldier of the 19505.
The red uniform is scarce, and
the figure is thought to
represent enemy troops from
the Korean War.
Height: 75mm (3in).
This searchlight operator was
cast as one piece by Barclay,
and was issued with minor
variations seven times.
Height: 75mm (3in).
BELOW RI GHT Barclay's
kneeling nurse is similar in
design to the Elastolin nurses
made in Germany.
Height : 75mm [Jin].
35
TOY SOLDIEIIS IIIENTlFIEII
DIMESTOR E FIGUR ES
Maurice and Jack Manail jained wiftl
Waiter Baetz in 1924 ta farm ftle
campany ftlat bears ftleir name. It
praduced saldiers ftlat were similar in
scale and style ta ftlase made by
Barclay, but wiftl perhaps just an aunce
mare character ftlan ftle lane(s. The
Manail Happy Farm civilian range was
produced ta reftect US social histary and,
like Barclay, ftle company produced a
wide range afmilitary vehicles.
BEl OW LEFT An intricately
made Manoil dimestore a nti-
aircraft gun and gunner.
Height: 75mm (3in).
36
AB OVE This fine Manoil
parachut ist fully reveals the
company's skilful design
techniques. Height: 75mm
(3in).
,
BELOW RI GHT A naval ensign
from the Manoil range.
Height: 75mm (3in).
DIMESTORE FIGURES
TOY SOI.DIE RS IDENTIF IER
Grey Iron, anather manufacturer of
dimestore figures, used acast-iron
process (wtlich seems to have increased
paint loss from the figures) and adopted
the Barclay size and style for its toy
soldiers, as did Tommy Toy, All Nu and
the Japanese-made Minikins. Other
notable US makers, such as the
American Soldier Co., McLoughlin,
Lincoln Logs and Warren made figures
ofasize similar to the UK standard of
54mm (2Xin).
BEL OW L EFT Grey Iron made
this seated machine gunner in
the 1930s. Height: 75mm (3in) .
AB OV E US volunteers made by
the American Soldier Co,
(tradename Eureka) in 1906.
BELOW CENTRE AND RIG HT
The Mountie was part of a
series of cowboys and Indians
made by Lincoln Logs, while
the sailor is from the
company's standard military
range. Height: 52mm (2Xin).
DIMESTORE FIGURES
In lt1e USA, during lt1e 1930s, toy
soldiers were frequently mode at home.
Home-costing sets, easily available by
mail order, and containing metal
moulds, 0 bar of lead, aladle and a
melting pal, become very popular. The
SUbjects were mainly US figures. Sochs
was perhaps lt1e best-known
manufacturer along wilt1 Henry SChierke.
In lt1e mid1980s Ran Eccles of
Burlington, Iowa, acquired manyof
Borclay's and Monoil's original moulds
and began toproduce excellent copies
of lt1e famous dimestore soldiers. Ran's
wife, Debbie, catalogues lt1e products
and paints lt1e items inastyle lt1at
evokes lt1e charm and character oflt1e
origi nals. Each item ismarked ' Eccles
Brothers' wilt1lt1e current date.
Playwood Plastics made this
composition soldier wearing a
gas mask and holding a flare
gun. Height: 75mm (3in).
38
Soldiers in domestic poses
were frequently included in
dimestore ranges, and this
"correspondent" figure is a
good example. Height: 75mm
(3in).
Nurse with an ether bottle and
mask, manufactured by Eccles
Brothers as a modern casting
from an old mould. Height:
65mm (2Xin).
DIMESTORE FIGURES
TOY SOL.DIERS IDEI'iTU'IER
Japanese-mode toy soldiers were also
sold through dimestores, and con
therefore be classified os dimestore
figures, After World Wor 11 0 number of
US companies imported lead,
composition and celluloid toy soldiers
from Japan, many of which were copies
ofUS or European products. The quality
voried: Minikins mode high-quality lead
figures, while Trico mode crude
compositionversions, Nevertheless, 011
sold in vast numbers and hove 0 strong
following among today's collectors.
Porticulorly valuable ore items in boxes
marked ' Occupied Japan",
This japanese-made Indian
probably dates from the 1930s.
It has a pivot through the
body so thal both arms can
move, a very unusual feature.
Height: 54mm (2Y-in).
The solid figure of this West
Point cadet was made in
occupied Japan just after
World War 11, probably as a
souvenir item. Height: 54mm
(2Y-in).
This dimestore flat figure,
made in 1952, was probably
intended as a Christmas
novelty item. Heigbt: 70mm
(2Xin).
TOY SOI.IJIERS IIJENTIFIER
PLASTIC FIGUR ES
The first viable plastic toy soldiers date
from the late 1940s. Itisuncertain
which manufacturer can claim to be first
in the field, but in the US Betan was
supplying dimestares with unpainted
60mm (2* in) figures of Gls just offer
Warld War 11. In the UK Airfix offered
plastic soldiers and cowboys and
Indians far sale in 1947. Around this
same time Malleable Mouldings ofDeal
in Kent imparted from Eire aronge of
sophisticated plastic figures designed by
Holger Erikssan. The venture failed,
probably because it was ahead of
its time.
,;'
\
.\ ~ :
-.
f
40
A ROVE These self-coloured
American infantry figures,
made in the late 1940s by
Beton, were sold through
dimcstorcs, and Woolworths
in Britain. Height: 60mm
(2Xin).
LEFT Two examples of 1940s
figures - a mounted
Roundhead and a guardsman
at the slope - from the
pioneering but ill-fated
Malleable Mouldings. Height:
90mm (JXin) and 54mm (2Xin) .
PLASTIC FIGURES
TOY SOI.UIEIlS IUENTtFlE
In the 1950s some UK hollow-cost
manufacturers - such os TImpo,
Cherilea and Crescenl - converted their
moulds 10 fit
moulding machines. However, the first
UK maker toissue figures was
Zang Producls (later Herald) ofeast
London. Zang employed 0 number of
designers inthe early 19505, and the
faclory produced some ofthe finest
plastic toy soldiers ever mode.
BEL OW Trojan warriors from
Herald range of the
early 1950s. Height: 54mm

AB OV E This King Arthur
figure from Tirnpo has a good- I
quality paint finish, and was
part of a series issued in the
mid-1960s. Height: 54mm

RI GH T Two Highland soldiers
from the Herald range.
Height: 54mm
41
PLASTIC FIGURES
In the early 1950s Zang introduced 0
largenumber of new plasffc figures,
includingkhaki baftledress infantry,
American Civil War soldiers, Foot
Guards, Life Guards, Horse Guards,
Highlanders, and cowboys and Indians.
They come pocked incolourful boxes or
on display cards of four figures, and
quickly become popular with children. In
1953 the tradename Heraldwas
adopted, and aherald logo was
embossed on the underside of each
figure's bose.
42
ABOVE A British officer and
sentry from the Herald range
of British Army khaki troops.
BELOW Four Herald figures:
two mounted Household
Cavalry troopers and two
dismounted. Height: 90mm
( 3 ~ i n ) and 54mm (2Xin).
PLASTIC FIGURES
Inthe mid-1950sWmBritainLtd took
over the Herald name and company, The
name survived until the early1980s os
the Britains' tradename for the bulk of its
plastic figures, Ironically, in1957 lead
copies of plastic Herold figures began to
be exported from Hong Kong tothe UK
and USA!
In the late1950s Britains revolutioni zed
the world of plasticfigures with the
introduction of the Swoppet range. All the
pieces inthe range, includingindividual
pistols, were removable and
interchangeable, and so could be
'swopped' with other figures.
TOY SOLDI E RS IDENTIFIER
LEFT A cowboy, seated on a
barrel, from Britains' Swoppet
range. Height: S4mm (2Xin).
BEL OW LEFT In 1955 AHI of
Hong Kong made this hollow-
cast lead copy of a plastic
Herald American Civil War
infantryman. Height: 54mm
(2Xin).
BEL OW RIGHT A cowboy and
Indian from Britains' Herald
range. This series also
included mounted figures.
Height: 45mm (I Y-in).
43
TOY SOI.llIERS IDENTIFIER
PLASTIC FIGURES
In 1960 Britains introduced the Eyes
Right range to fill the gap caused by the
disappearance ofmany hollow-cost
ceremonial arfull-dress Iypes oftoy
soldier. The range carried some
Swoppet-slyle features, since the heads
and arms were movable, and it began
with Guards figures, Royal Marines and
other Brifish regiments. US Marines and
US Army bonds were later included. The
final Eyes Right figures, the Bahamas
Police and Royal Conadian Mounted
Police, appeared in1962.
BH OW L.EFT Two soldiers of
the Scots Guards in the
Britains' Eyes Right range.
A BOVE Royal Marine
bandsmen in the Eyes Right
range. Height: 54mm (2Y.in).
BEL OW RIG HT A piper of the
Scots Guards. Note the paper
banner on the bagpipes of this
Eyes Right figure.
PLASTIC FIGURES
TOY SOLDIERS IIlEI'iTIFlE
Foot soldiers of the American Civil War
hod farmed port of the Herald range
tram the early 1950s, but illook some
10 years for Swoppet-type mounted
troops to join them. The old foot figures
were phased out and replaced by a
newly designed set. Mosl of the other
ranges were extended, with siege
weapons being added in 1967 10
enhance the Swoppet range of knights.
AHOVE American Civil War
figures: examples of both the
old fixed-limb Herald infantry
figures and the Swoppet-style
movable-limb figures. Height:
90mm ( 3 ~ i n ) and 54mm (2Xin).
RI GHT Swoppet-style
movable-limb figures from a
set reintroduced by Britains to
celebrate the American
Bicentennial in 1976.
45
PL AS TI C FI GUR E S
In 1971 Britains introduced the Deelai l
range of plostc fixed-limb figures
mounted on metal bases. Although il
was aimed atthe children'smarket, itis
now 0 popular area for adult collectors.
11 consisted initially 01 US and Genman
infantrymen of World War 11 vintage.
In 1972 the of Herald
figures was finally sub-contracted 10 a
Hong Kong company, on the grounds
ofcost.
BELOW A Britains' Deetail
Land-Rover, complete with
gun. Height (of figures) : 54mm
(2:1.in).
46
AROVE Two medieval archers
from Britains' Herald range,
manufactured in Hong Kong.
Height: 54mm (2:1.in)and
45mm (I Xin).
BELOW RIG HT US infantrymen
and recoil-less rifle, from the
Deetail range. Height: 54mm
(2:1.in).
PLASTIC FIGURES
TOY SOLD IE RS I D E NTI FI ER
Britains' Deetail range expanded
immensely after 1971 to include
Japonese soldiers, Briftsh 8th Army
personnel, the German Atrika Karps,
French Foreign Legionnaires, Napoleonic
troops, and Arab and Mexican warriors.
In the 1980s Turks and medieval
knights were added, os were several
series ofspacemen. However, os the
importance ofBritains' New Metal
Models has grawn, the range of plasftc
figures has diminished. The most recent
Deetail figures ore the Knights of the
SWord.
Ta l' Motorized infantry and
rifleman of the German army,
from Britains' Deetail range.
Height (of figures): 54mm
(2Y.in).
ABO VE Three Deetail figures:
two British khaki-clad
soldiers, and a Japanese
infantryman. Height: 54mm
(2Y.in).
BELOW A Deetail battle scene:
Arabs attacking soldiers of the
French Foreign legion.
47
PLASTIC FIGURES
The late 1950s saw many UK
manufacturers take an tile challenge of
the Swoppet-style plastic toy soldiers, so
successtully pioneered by Britoins.
TImpo adopted asimilar system and
went on to produce hundreds of different
figures from its factory inShafts,
48
Lanarkshire. Norman Tootll, 0
remarkable TImpo designer, continued to
come up witll new ideas, and in tile late
1970s devised aremarkable machine
tIlot could convert, cut, point and
assemble acomplete figure. This
automatic process produced TImpo's
last range in197B, aseries ofVikings,
mounted and on fool, but unfortunately
tile company ceased production
in 1979.
ABOVE RIG HT This Timpo
mounted Viking was one of
the last pieces to be made by
Norman Tooth's automatic
process. The figure has a
movable head and waist.
Height: 90mm (3:.sin).
ABOVE LEF T Knights of the
Helm was an attempt by
Timpo to inject more detail-
such as the ornate head-dress
- into its Swoppet-style
figures. Height: 54mm (2Xin).
LEFT A Timpo mounted
cowboy of the 1970s. Note the
fringed Cheyenne-type jacket.
It also has a movable head and
waist. Height: 54mm (2Xin).
P L A S TI C FIGUR ES
The UK boom inthe produchon of plostic
toy soldiers losted roughly from 1955 to
1980. Cherilea, whose figures were
60mm (2l!in) high, introduced many
new ronges, including even aTudor
execution set. Charbens covered many
familiar subject areas, as well as the
less-common pirates, Cossacks and a
bull-tighting set. Crescent introduced a
superb series of British World War I
troops, and also produced knights and
Robin Hood, cawboys and Indians,
which were eventually obtainable in
cereal packets.
A BOVE RI GHT This Mexican
bandit with a money pouch
was part of an animated Wild
West set made by Crescent.
ABOVE LEn This plastic
Saraccn with a spear was
previously made by Charbens
in lead from a hollow-cast
mould. Height: 50mm (2in).
FAR LEFT A plastic World
~ ~ ~ I War I grenade thrower, part
of a series of nine figures
manufactured by Crescent in
the 1960s. Height: 56mm
(2Xin).
LEFT Cherilea made this
unusual Chinese infantryman
with a flamethrower in the
1960s, as part of a series of six.
49
TOY SOLD IE RS I D ENTI FI ER
PLASTIC FIGURES
John Hill &eo, Ille UK'ssecond-largest
producer of hollow-cost figures, mode
little effort in Ille 1950s to change to
plastic materials. Itconverted some
hollow-cost moulds, but itnever invested
ininjeclion moulding equipment,
believing Illot plastic would only be 0
short-lived phenomenon. IIeven turned
down Ille chance to supply Kelloggs
willl hundreds of Illousonds of plastic
figures for cereal pockets. By Ille early
19608 John Hill &Co. was oul
of business.
LEFT This clans ma n, issued
under John Hill & Co's
Monarch label in the lat e
1950s, is from one of the
company's few plastic se ts .
REL OW Popla r Playthings, a
Wel sh company, made this
Roman cha r io t a nd charioteer
in t he mid- 1950s. Alt houg h
classed as pl ast ic by collectors,
t he figures are act ua lly made
of rubber. Height: 80mm
(3Xin).
50
PLASTIC FIGURES
By 1980 most UK plosftc-soldier
manufacturers hod gone out of
business, leaving onlyCovendish
Miniatures ofWindsor, Airlix and Britoins
inproducfton. Covendish conftnues to
make plostc figures (havingbegun in
the early 19505) and acts os 0
wtlolesaler to the trade. It also
specializes insouveniritemsmode of
solid lead.
In 1989 Giles Brown of Dorset Soldiers
bought many of the old Cherilea plosftc
moulds and starled to reissue self-
coloured figures aton affordable price.
In 1990 Morlborough of Wales launched
osimilar operation when itpurchased
the redundant Chorbens' moulds, and
Toywoy now reissues the TImpo range.
A HOVE This Tudor-style
swordsman was a 19905 reissue
by Dorset Soldiers from the
Cherilea original mould.
Height: 60mm (2 Xin).
TOY SOLDIEIlS tDENTlt'lER
ABOVE Many companies
copied the plastic Herald
soldiers. This example was
made by Vp, a small British
firm. Height: 54mm (2:1.in).
HELO\V This box of 1750
infantry is one of Cavendish
Miniature's early sets, and
forms part of a range issued
continuously since 1958.
Height: 54mm (2:1.in).
5 I
TOY SOLIllERS IIlEl'iTIFlER
PLASTIC FIGUR ES
The US market tor toy soldiers
was dominated by Louis Morx &Ca.
Thisfamous company specialized in the
of lorge boxed display sets,
known os playsets, which included not
only unpainted toy soldiers - sometimes
over 100 tigures - but also buildings
and accessories. Pointed Marx soldiers
were available inthe Warriors ofthe
World series, and over the years the
company covered most major historical
periods and wors. Morx also issued
150mm (6in)figures, and used both
hard and soft There were Marx
factories in Gemnany, Hang Kong and
Wales. Marx items ore avidly collected,
and the market even supports 0
specialist magazine. Michael Ellis's
London-based compony, Marksmen,
has carved out 0 lucrative business in
the reissue oforiginal Marx figures.
BEl O W RIGH T This Robin
Hood figure was a popular
Marx item in the 1960. . The}'
were available painted or
unpainted in self-coloured
plastic, with the character's
name embossed in the base.
BElOW LEFT This large ISOmm
(6in) unpainted figure ora
World War II Gl was made h}'
Marx.
ABOVE Modern reproductions
by Marksmen of an original
Marx set. Height: 60mm
(lXin).
52
PLASTIC FIGURES
TOY SOLlllERS IDENTIFIER
Apart fram the UK, the us and Hang
Kang, Eurapean manufacturers were the
ather major producer of plastic soldiers.
Starlux ofFrance used hard plasfic ta
depict awide range ofNapoleanic
troops, Foreign Legionnaires and military
cadets. The figures were realistically
modelled ingoad achan poses with a
highly detailed point finish, and atits
peak Starlux covered many other
subjects. Itoiso issued asecand-grade
series ofcheaper and less-detailed tay
soldiers, slighny smaller than
54mm ( 2 ~ i n ) .
Three Starlux figures: the
female Russian soldier (BELOW
LEFT) is an unusual subject;
the medieval court jester
( LEFT) is from the first-grade
range, while the paratrooper
(B EL OW RI GH T ) is a smaller
second-grade figure. Height:
54mm (2Xin).
53
PLASTIC FIGURES
Spain'smain producer of toy soldiers
was Reamsa, whose ronge included
many figures from the Spanish armed
farces as well as medieval characters
and Moors. Populor tram the 1950s
A rare plastic figure of a
toytown soldier at port arms,
made by Quiralux of France.
The series moulds were sold in
the early 1950s to Wend-AI in
the UK, which converted them
to make "unbreakable"
aluminium figures. Height:
52mm ( 2 ~ i n ) .
54
until the 1970s, Reamsa toy soldiers ore
now being reissued by an enterprising
collector, Ric Bracamontes of the
Chicago-based Company B. Reamsa
itself stapped trading in the late 1970s.
This Spanish Army standard
bearer is one of a set of 20
Reamsa pieces. Height: 60mm
(2%in).
PLAS TI C FIGUR ES
After World War 11 Housser, the German
company famous for its pre-war
composition Elostolin figures,tumed to
the praducNon of plastic toy soldiers.
Itintroduced 0 series oflarge-scale
Romans, knights and cowboys and
Indians, based on some of its pre-war
designs. Later it released figures based
on World War I1 German troops. Housser
eventually went out of business in the
late 1970s, 0 victim of the fashion far
high-tech toys. Gougemoster, aUK
company, has recently tried to revive
the Hausser plastic range, but with
limited success.
BELOW Trooper of the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police,
made by Hausser for the
souvenir market. Height:
65mm ( 2 ~ i n ) .
A BOVE This splendid Roman
cavalryman was one of a series
released by Hausser in the
1960s and 1970s. Height:
lOOmm (4in).
BELOW RIG HT Mounted
German officer. Hausscr
designed the figure to be
removed from the horse.
Height: lOOmm (4in).
55
TOY SOLDIE/lS I D ENTl FI E/I
PLASTIC FIGURES
Plastic toy soldiers mode inHong Kong
flooded the world market far many
years. Thesewere usually unpainted,
and although they were sometimes well
detailed they are always classified by
collectors as second grade. Furthermare,
such figures were ol most without
exception pirated copies of US and
Eurapean designs.
A Hong Kong co py of a
Swoppet - st yl e cow boy, wit h a
movabl e wai st and head.
Height: 52mm (2Xin) .
56
This US infan t ryma n in grey
pl asti c is a ty pical Hong Kong
product. Height: 80mm (3Xin).
NEW T O Y SOLDIERS
In 1966 itbecame illegal inthe UK to
manufacture lead toy soldiers, thus
leaving agap in the market. Frank and
Jan Scroby of London had been dealers
inthe old hollow-cast figures, but as
they became increasingly scarce the
Scrabys experimented with praducing
their awn replacements. By 1973 they
had successfully developed the
Blenheim range offigures made from a
non-toxicwhite metal allay. These New
Tay Soldiers, as they became known,
were designed to sit alongside traditional
holl ow-cast items.
The Blenheim Highlander at
the slope (LEFT) "steps" off on
the opposite foot to most toy
soldiers. The Zulu and his
British enemy (BELOW) are
animated pieces and
something of a departure from
Blenheim's standard marching
figures. Height: 54mm (2Y.in).
57
TOY SOLDIERS IDENTlFIEIl
NEW TOY SOLDIERS
Blenheim'sminiature masterpieces were
an instant success with collectors.
Shamus Wade, along-establishedtay-
soldier dealer, commissioned the
SCrobys to produce the exclusive
Nostalgia range of New Tay Soldiers far
his mail-order business. The sets and
individual figures depicted regiments of
the British Commonwealth. During its
latter years, as Blenheim itself grew
bigger, the Nostalgia range was taken
aver by Peter Cawanand Andrew Rase.
BELOW Blenheim box set by
Frank and Jan Scroby. These
blue boxes had gold ins erts
with slots for each figure.
Height (of figures) : 54mm
(2Xin).
ABOVE This Chelsea
Pensioner by Blenheim fits in
well with military figures.
A BO VE A Chinese soldier from
the Boxer Rebellion, made by
Blenheim for a well-known
collector in the 1970s. Height:
54mm (2Xin).
r - - - ' - ' ~ ~ '
. "
58
N EW TOY SOLDI ERS
The Blenheim range was discontinued in
1982 after financial difficulties, but the
SCrobys introduced the new Morlbaraugh
range later that year, to be soldatfirst
thraugh 0 US agent Star Collectrbles. A
magnificent series, based on the Delhi
Durbor of 1902, was released os well,
devised so that the collector could odd
to the set over aperiod and ultimately
build acomplete Durbor. Sodly, the
Marlborough range fell victim to
economicrecession inthe mid-1 990s,
and production has stopped. Andrew
Rose isanother talented designer ofNew
Toy Soldiers, and currently produces
his own lines of Bastion and
Wessex figures.
A BOVE Two British figures in
tropical - servi ce dress, fro m
Andrew Ro se 's Bastion range.
Hei ght : S4mm (2:1. in).
' T OY SO I. DIE HS ID ENTIFI ER
BELOW A Marlborough box
set by Frank a nd Jan Scroby,
These box es had foa m inserts
and sect io ns in whi ch each
figu r e lay. Height (o f figur es) :
S4mm (2:1. ;n).
59
TOY SOLDIE RS I D E r-; T1 F1 ER
NEW TOY SOLDIERS
The SCrobys' suecessu ventures
inspired many others to produce their
own ronges ofNew Toy Soldiers. Typical
ofthese was Mark Time ofCroydon,
London, which manufactured figures in
the mid-1 970s, and Charles Hall of
Edinburgh, who will work to
commissions. Thelma and Jock Duke of
Ducal inHampshire specialize inthe
moking ofceremoniol troops that depict
many sfate occasions, such as the
Trooping the Colour.
60
AB OVE This Household
Cavalry drum horse with its
attractive bo x is cha racteristic
of t he high-quality wor k
p roduced by Du cal. He ight:
90mm (3:,1, in).
FAR L EFT An unusu al
vo lu nteer cy cl ist, fr om the
Mark Time range. Hei ght:
54mm (2Xin).
LEFT Adolf Hitler, portrayed
b)' Cha r les Hall. Heig ht : 70m m
(2Xin) .
N EW TOY SOLDIERS
Another majar New Toy Soldier company
isTrophy Miniatures at Wales, runby
Len Taylar. Ithas become world-famous
far the qualify of its designs and
pointing. The Zulu War features heavily
inthe Trophy ronge, and infarmahanon
new designs and subject areas is
available tram the Guards Toy Soldier
centre at Wellington Barracks inLondon.
BELOW Three earl)' figures
from Trophy Miniatures: a
Royal Marine, a so ldier of the
West Ind ia Reg iment , a nd an
In d ian Ar my officer. Height:
54mm (2Xin).
TOY SOLDIERS IllENTlF IER
Trophy ma de this su per b t wo-
piece se t or Win ston Chu rchill
mo un te d and fir ing a pist ol at
an attacking Dervi sh er,
Heigh t : 90mm ( J ~ i n ) a nd
54mm (2Xin).
6 1
TOY SOLDIERS IDENTU'IER
NEW T O Y S O L D I E R S
In 1977 JohnTunstill, the proprietor of
Soldiers shop inLombeth, London
lounched hisown range, Soldiers
Soldiers. The figures were porlty
designed by Andrew Rose, ond olthough
no longer inproduction, items ore still
available from existing stocks. Dorset
Soldiers, owned by Giles Brawn in
Wiltshire, started the production of New
Toy Soldiers in 1979 and has gone from
strength to strength. Awide range ot UK
and foreign regiments ore obtainable (as
well asreissues ot the old Cherileo
plastic soldiers), and fresh additions ore
regulorly announced via acatalogue.
BELOW An inventive set from
Dorset Soldiers, made of hand-
painled white metal and
designed to be used with the
54mm (2:1.in) New Toy Soldiers,
A BOV E This Lancer officer was
one of Trophy's earliest items,
c. 1974, The figure's oval base
was discontinued soon
afterwards, Height: 54mm
(2:1.in).
AIl OV E A solid Bethnal Green
volunteer, manufactured by
John Tunstill in the 1970. as an
exclusive souvenir of the
Bethnal Green Museum of
Childhood in London, Height:
54mm (2:1.in).
62
NEW T O Y S O L D I ER S
TOY sor.nt eus Illt:NTlFIEII
Inrecent years, It1e BriNsh Toy Soldier
and Figure Show - Europe'slorgest toy-
soldier event - has been attracting
increasingnumbersof exhibitors from
It1e ronks of UK New Toy Soldier
manufacturers. Many ofIt1ese
participants ore private individuals, who
do it purely for pleasure, such os Major
Govin Thompson of the Royal Military
Police. Others, like Martin Tabony, treat
the business os 0 cottoge industry, while
some ore tull-time professional
manufacturers.
LEFT A Royal Military
Policeman, manufactured by
Major Gavin Thompson under
the name of Kidogo. Height:
54mm (2Xin).
BELow "The Home Coming",
an attractive set designed,
sculpted and painted by
Martin Tabony, Height: 54mm
(2Xin).
63
TOY SO L DIE RS IDt: NTIFIER
N E W TO Y SOLDI ER S
There are several reasons for Itle
success of Itle New ToySoldier
phenomenon. Amongst Itlem must be
Itle coretul attention to historical and
period detail displayed by Itle best
manufacturers (such as Steadfast
Soldiers), hi gh-quality craftsmanship,
attractive packaging of neproduct and a
Itlorough understanding ofhow to reach
and appeal to Itle specialist collectors.
An attractive se t of the Black
Wat ch, comple te with ma xim
gun and o fficer, produced by
Steadfast So ld ie rs. Height:
54mm (21.in) .
64
TOY 501.IIIER5 IDENTIFIER
NEW TOY SOLDIERS
There ore several American praducers ot
New Tay Soldiers, such as Somerset, Bill
Hacker, Edward Burley, Joe Shimek,
Stephen Dietz and Ran Wall. Perhaps
the mast successful isBill Hacker of
Ber1<eley, Calrtomio. His commitment,
eye for detail and exquisite design, and
manufacturing techniques has ensured a
worldwide reputation. Luigi and Manica
Toian of Rome fty the ftag inItaly, under
the tradename of Goriboldi.
RIGHT Highland piper of the
'45, made by Garibaldi of Italy.
BELOW This set of a naval band
from Bill Hocker has been
shrink-wrapped so that
collectors can display it
without removing the figures.
RIGHT A Red Indian brave,
complete with removable
lance, from Ron Wall of St
Louis, Missouri. Height: 54mm
(2Y.in).
---------- - - - - - - ---------- - - -
65
TOY SOLDIE RS J[)El'"T1FIER
NEW M E T A L M O D E L S
In 1973 Britains intraduced its New
Metal Madels. Although this was the
same year that the Scrobys launched the
Blenheim range of similar-sounding New
TaySoldiers, infact the two
manufacturing pracesses are quite
different from each other (see page 14
for further details). Thefirst NewMetal
Madel was aScots Guard marching
figure. Affer asiaw start, Britains has
recaptured alarge slice afthe
international toy-saldier market
frequently bymeans ot baxed sets in
bath limited and unlimited editians. The
farmer were introduced in 1983, and
their value to collectars obviously varies
according to the number of sets issued. ABOVE A Britains' mounted
trooper of t he Life Guards.
Height : 90m m (3Xin) .
BELOW The 2nd Life Guards in
a Britains' bo xed se t of 1994.
He igh t : 90mm (3Xin) .
66
TOY SOLDIE RS IIlENTlFlER
N EW M ETAL MODELS
Special Britains' issues, nat included in
the narmal catalague range, are
sametimes available. Far example, a
19B4 exhibitian, entiNed 'On Guard',
and held atthe Landan Tay and Madel
Museum prampted Britains ta release
two Argyll &Sutherland figures, packed
an an open-fronted cord and available
only for the exhibition'sduration. Bath
are now quite rare. 1985 sow the
launch of acampaign to baost soles in
Conada, includingthe issue of Mountie
figures os part ofthe strategy.
HEL OW Two Br ita ins' Argyll &
Sutherlan d Highla nders from
the 1984 London Toy and
Mod el Museu m exhibition.
A HO VE A New Meta l Model of
a Royal Canadian Mounted
Poli cem an. He ig ht : 90mm
(3Xin).
~ ~ - - -,
'E BRITAINS ~
I BRITAINSP,
67
TOY SOL D IERS ID E NTl n EIl
NEW METAL MODELS
Throughout the 1980s Britoins conftnued
to develop the use ofboxed sets and
limited ediftons os morkeftng tools. For
example, in1986 the Welsh Guards
become available in0 limited edifton of
5,000, and to enhance US soles three
sets of US Marine Corps figures were
released. In 1987 this particular theme
was developed with the inclusion at
US Marine Corps bondsmen inthe
Williom BritainCollection. The some
year also sow 0 Bahamas Police Bond
in 0 5,000 limited-edihon set; the some
SUbject hod previously been produced in
hollow-cost form.
RI GHT The Bah amas Poli ce
Band in Brita in s' 1987 ed it io n,
comp le te with ce r ti fic ate.
Height: 54mm (2Xin) .
BEL OW Drummers a nd buglers
of t he US Mar ine Co r ps ,
di splayed in Britains' perspex
presentation box. Height:
54mm (2Xin).
, I
611
NEW METAL MODELS
TOY SOL Il IE HS IIl ENTIn EH
The quality ot Britai ns' New Metal
Madels received prestigiaus acclaim
when 1wa famous London stares,
Harrods and Hamleys, both
commissioned Britains to supply them
with customized presentation boxes at
soldiers. The Harrods' London Set
contained aselection of thetroops found
pertarming ceremonial duties in the
capital, together with afigure ofthe
Queen mounted tar Trooping the Colour.
Both ot these sets will undoubtedly
increase invalue. The production of
other boxed sets conhnued to expand:
amongst them in1991, far example,
were the 17th and 21 stLancers,
together with the Irish Guards and the
Somerset Light Infantry.
BEI.OW A handsome Britains'
se t ofThe Du ke of
Ca mbridge's Own 17t h
Lancers, Height: 90mm ( 3Xin).
ABOVE The Ha rrods London
Set, commissione d from
Britains by th e famous store.
Height: 54mm (l Xin) .
69
TOY SOLD IERS I D E NTI FI ER
In the1990s Britains reverted tomare
traditional packaging methods: the
famous red boxes with illustrated
descriptive labelswere reintroduced, and
the company consciouslyemphasized
the linksbetweenitsNew Metal Models
and the old hallaw-cast figures. In 1992
five new sets inred boxes were
released, includingthe Royal Marine
Light Infantry and the Middlesex
Yeamanry. The same year also saw the
issueof small boxes holding either one
mounted ar !wo foot figures, similar to
the hollow-cast Picture Pack series. One
such was a1,OOO-box edition of apiper
from the King'sOwn ScottishBorderers,
produced far the British Association of
Toy Retailers inhme for the 1993
Britains' centenary celebrotions. ABOVE A piper of the King's
Own Scott ish Borderers,
rel eased fo r th e Br ita ins'
ce nte nary. Height : 54mm
(2:1.in).
BEL OW The Royal Ma r ine
Lig ht Infantry, in a Br it a in s'
special collectors ' ed ition.
Hei ght: 54mm (2:1.in).
...:a-
t , r.>'
,
7 tl
TOY SOLlllERS IllENTIHER
In 1992 Britains intraduced another style
of packaging, the ' GreyBoxes' os they
hove become known. They were
designed to feature 0 number of famous
regiments, with each box containing ten
figures. The toy soldiers fitted into slots,
which enabled them to be lifted out and
replaced in the graove of the box.
Unfortunately, the venture was short-
lived. For the company's centenary
celebrationsDennis Britain, the surviving
member of the original family, personally
selected anumber of hussars and
tusiliers to be included in atwo-tier box
set, completewith lift-out tray. Itwas
planned for release in 1992, but itdid
not appear until 1993.
A BOVE Britains' Green
Howards "Grey Box" of
drummers and buglers, with
escorts and standards. Height:
54mm (2Xin).
BELOW The box containing
Dcnnis Britain's personal
choice of figures for the
company's centenary
celebrations. Height: 54mm
(2Y.in).
71
TOY SOL Il IERS IIlENTIFlER
NEW METAL MOD ELS
i
"

.. j;
fB
k'i
[1-'\
-it "
'.\ 1 1
.\
"o'l::--
-"'A::..-

"h
, r
':1 !1
"Y

'iiJ
=
' 1 I !
i1 i
I '
i\ i
I
=
-
Britains' afficial centenary year was
1993, and three special sets were
issued for saleonly during that year:
there were the Royal Horse Arti llery gun
leam, alifeGuord of 1837 and aFort
Henry Pioneer, these latter 1Wa in
individual boxes. limited edifions of
4,000 sets ofthe Royal Regiment of
Fusiliers and 5,000 sets of the Bandof
the Blues and Royals (minusa
bondmaster!) were issued, along with
red baxes of the 5th Dragoon Guards
and the King'sRoyal Rifte Corps. The
William Britain Collectors Club was also
started in 1993. In addition to a
magazi ne and membership cord, club
members receive aspecialfigure each
year, which make up into afull band.
1i.d,,1Bm Fij...E1w

ABOVE The William Br it ain
limited-editio n set o f the
Royal Regiments of Fusili ers.
Hei ght: 54mm (2Y.i n).
BELOW A drum maj o r of t he
Sherwood Foresters, avai la ble
o nly to members o f the
Willi am Bri tain Collectors
Club. Height : S4mm (2Y.in).

THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS DRUM MAJOR
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
ThISISla (enlfy Ihat the enclosed "Sherwood Foresters" Collectors
Piece has been excl us made for members of rbe W,lllam Bntam
CollecloB Club by BnliUns Petite Ltd
Ct>fuhcitl\l No 0471 St'p lember 1993
TIlE WILUAM 81UTAIN COLLECTORS CI.UB
PO BOlt 1946. l-IoIltft()wrn . We!ol Midl .lIW<;; B63 3T5 Enqland
72
TOY SOLIlIE RS I Il ENTI FI ER
OTHER MATERIALS
Miniature soldiers con befound in011
sorts ofmaterials, trom ceramic and
porcelain 10 gloss, resin, tin, celluloid
and even soap. They con vary
tremendously insize, but do not
constitute collectable foy soldiers os
discussed inthis book. Even aluminium,
wood and poper soldiers ore not 0
major port ofthe hobby. However, it is
worth mentioning them briefty, os they
ore nof uncommon and con form 0
pleosing addition to 0 collection.
This unusual Highlander was
made of cell ulo id, and may be
of Ger ma n origin. Height:
70mm (21.in).
Krolyn of Copenhagen made
this aluminium Robin Hood
just prior to World War 11.
Height: IIOmm
A t in plate toy soldier made by
Louis Marx & Co. of the USA.
These figures were designed
for use in shooting games
along with a pop gun. Height:
50mm (2in) .
TOY SOl.lHERS IDENTIFIE R
O TH ER M A T ERI A L S
Aluminium isperhaps the material mast
overlooked by callectars. Most
aluminium figures were made in France
during the 1930s, by aproduchon
process developed by Quiralu. Wend-AI
later obtained the Quiralu moulds and
produced same aluminium soldiers in
the UKinthe 1950s, during aperiod of
lead shortage. Such soldiers were
described as unbreakable, and they
were certainly mare resilient than their
leadcounterparts, but owing tothe
softer-style cashng method they do not
carry the same degree offine detail.
Paint tends to chip off them more easily
than from other types oftoysoldiers,
and the bases an the figures are thick,
giving them aclumsy appearance.
ABOVE This a lumini um
Musketeer was made in France
d uri ng th e mid-1940s, a t ime
o flead shortage. Hei ght :
60mm (1l{in).
BEL OW A boxed set of
alumi nium Toytown figur es
ma d e by Wend- AI. The
conte n ts are based o n c hi ldren
dressed in Napoleonic military
unifor ms, and include a
rocking ho rse, nurse and
trees. Height: 54mm (1:1.i n ).
TOY SOLD IE RS I D E NTI FI ER
OTH ER MATERIALS
----------A-----
Paper toysoldiers were made inthe USA
by Parker Bras, MiltonBradleyand
McLoughlin, usually as port ofshooting
gomes inwhich they formed the targets.
Understandably, not many have
survived! There are wooden soldiers in
existence, but woad hasalso beenan
obviouschoice for theconstructionof
toy forts. Manufacturersoftoy fortsoften
co-operated with theircolleagues inthe
toy-soldier business, to ensure that forts
and soldiers would be atthe right
proportions to each other. Forts can be
collectors' items in their own right and
can nicely complement atoy-soldier
collection.
AB O VE This wooden fort was
made by Cee Bee around 1952.
It wa s built in three sect ions
so that it folds up into a box.
Height: 60cm (2ft.)
LEH This US-made paper
sold ier probably dates from
1920. Height: IOOmm (4;n).
FAR LEFT Renee North made
this fiat pl ywood figure,
c. 1971. After North's death
figures from this range were
sold by Shamus Wade, who
runs the Commonwealth
Forces History Trust.
7 5
TOY SO UlIE l1 snows
. . . . . . . . . .. . . .. .. .. . . .. . .. . ...... . ...... . .. . ..... . . . . . ... . . . . .... ..... . ... . .. .. . . .. .... .. . . . . . ..... . . .. .. . ....... .. . . ..
Toy SOLDIER SHOWS
76
Birmingham Model and Toy Soldier Fayre
Held each October. Organizer: David McKenna, 20
Poston Court, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 5AB,
UK.
British Model Soldier Socie ty
National and local branch activities include trade
standards. See Societies and Clubs, page 79.
Euro Militaire
Atwo-day military modelling event heldeach
September at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent,
UK.
Folkestone International Toy Soldier Show
This is held each March at the Metropole Suite,
Folkestone, Kent , UK.
Soldiers and Figure Show
Held each February at the Gloucester Leisure Centre.
Organizer: Lilliane Tunstill, 110/11 2 Bath Road,
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.
UKToy and Model Soldier Show
Organizedby Plastic Warri or andheldeach May at the
Queen Charlotte Hall, Parkshot, Richmond, Surrey,
UK.
Old Toy Soldie r Show, Chicago
Heldeach September at the Hyatt Regency,
Woodfi eld, Schaumburg, Illinois. Organized in
conjunction with Old TOJ Soldier magazine. Contact
Don Piclin, 1009 Kenilworth, Wheeling, Illinois,
USA.
Toronto Old Sold ier Sale
Heldeach October at the Regal Constellation Hotel,
900 Dixon Road, Toronto, Canada. Organizer:
Stcwart Saxe.
Ann ual East Coast Toy Soldier Show and Sale
Held each November at the Fairleigh Dickinson
University, Hackcnsack, New Jersey, USA, and runin
conjunction with 'Toy Soldier R c ~ j e w magazine. Contact:
Bill Lango.
The Cami leri Westchester Toy Soldier Show
Held each November at the Westchester County
Centre, White Plains, NewYork, USA. Contact:
FrankFusco,
West Coaste r Toy Soldier Show
Heldeach March at the Innat The Park Hotel, 1855
South Harhor Boulevard, Anaheim, California 92802,
USA. Contact: Bob Fisher.
MFCA (Miniature Figure Collectors of
America) Annual Show and Exhibition
Held each May at Valley Forge Convention Centre,
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA. Contact: Alban
Sbaw.
Hobby Militaire of the Ontario Model Soldier
Society
Heldeach June at the Novotel North York, 3 Park
Home Avenue, North York, Toronto, Canada.
Contact: Ted Kennedy.
Anna polis Toy Soldier Show
Heldeach July at the Annapolis Hotel, Annapolis,
Maryland, USA. Contact: Dick Sossi.
Indi ana Toy Soldier Show
Heldeach March at the Ramada Inn, 770142nd
Street , lndianapolis, Indiana, USA. Contact: Barry
Carter.
Nort h East Toy Soldier Society Soldie r Show
Heldeach Aprilat Dedham, Massachusetts, USA.
Contact : Dick Charlesworth, 121 Cherry Brook Road,
Weston, MA 02193, USA.
Long Island Toy Sol dier Show
Heldeach September at Elks Lodge, 57 Hempstead
Avenue, Lynbrook, Long Island, New York, USA.
Contact: Vinny Pugliese.
Kulmbach Deutschen und Int erna t ionale
Zinnfiguren Bor se Show
Held in August on alternate years at Kulmbach,
Bavaria. Details fromGermanTourist Information.
F URTIIEII IIEADING
.................................................... .............. .....................................................
FURTHER READING
As q u i t h, St ua r t, The Collector's GUIde LO
Ne" To)' Soldiers, Argus Books, Hemel
Hempstead, 1991
Ca r ma n, \V. Y., Model Soldiers, Charles
I.etts & Co., London, 1973
Fontana, Dermis, The liar Toys 2: The
Star)' cif Lineal, New Cave ndis h Books,
London, 1991
Ga r r a tt, John G., Model Soldiers: A
Collector's GUide, Seelev Services, London,
1965
Ga r r a tt, John G. , Collecting A10del Soldiers,
David & Charles, Newton Abbo t, 1975
Ga r ra tt, John G., The World Encyclopedia
?l Modcl Soldiers, Frcdcrick Muller, London,
198 1
Greenhill, Peter, Heraldic Miniature
Knights, Guild of Master Craftsmen, 1991
Johnson, Peter, 70)'ArmJes, B. T. Batsford,
London, 1981
Joplin, No r ma n, British To)' Figures
/ 900-Present, Arms & Armour Press,
London, 1987
Joplin, Norman, The Great Book cif Hollow-
cast FIgures, ew Cavendish Books, London,
1993
Kearton, George, The Collector's GUIde to
Plasuc To)' Sokhers, Ross Andcrson
Publ ications, 1987
Kurtz, Henry L. and Eh r l ic h, Burtt,
The , lrt ?lthe To)' Soldier, New Cavendish
Books, London, 1979
London Toy and Model Museum, On
Guard (cata logue of exhibit ion), New
Cavcndish Books, Lond on , 1984
M cK enzie , lan, Colleermg Old To)' Soldiers,
B. T. Batsford, London, 1975
j cvins, Edward, Forces cif the British
Empire 1914, Vandamere Press, 1993
O'Brien, Ri chard, Collecting To)' Soldiers
no. l , Books Americana, 1990
O'Brien, Ri chard, Collect109 To)' Soldiers,
no. 2, Books Americana, 1992
Opi e , James, BrItams To)' Soldiers
/893 1932, Gollancz, London, 1985
Opi e, James , British To)' Soldiers /893 to
the Present, Arms & Armour Press, 1985
Opi e, James, Philhps Collectors' GUIdes: To)'
Soldiers, Boxtree, London 1989
Opie, James, COllecting Toy Soldiers, New
Cavendish Books, Londo n, 1992
Opic, james, The Great Book ?l BrItains,
Ncw Cavcndish Books, London , 1993
Piclin, Don, .rt mer i can Dimestorc Soldiers,
private publication, 1975
Polaine, Reggie and Halkins, David,
The I\&r Top t. The Story cif Hau sser-Elastolin
(2nd edition), New Cavcndish Books,
London, 1991
Ri chards, L. \V., Old BrItISh Model Soldiers
1893 /918. Arms & Armour Press, 1970
Roer, Hans H., Old German To)' Soldiers,
private pub lication, 1993
Rose, Andrew, The Collector'sAll -colour
GUIde to To)' Soldiers, Salamander, London,
1985
Wall is, Joe, Regiments ?l/1I/ Nations,
pri vate publi cation , 1981
Wall is, Joe, Armies cif the World, pri vate
publ ication, 1983
77
I' E RIO III CA I.S
...... ............... ............................................................................................ ......
PERIODICALS
78
The following periodicals contain
information about, and articles on , toy
soldi ers and toy soldier coll ecting.
Les Amis d e St a r lux
See Societi es and Clubs, page 79 .
Bulletin
Th e journal issued by the British Model
Soldi er Society to members onl y. Sec
Societi es and Clubs, page 79 .
Co llector's Gazette
A general hobby newspaper, 10 editions
each year, including regular features and
reports on toy soldier shows and auctions.
Contact : 200 Nuncargate Road , Kirby-in-
Ashllcld, Nottinghamshire NG 17 9AG, UK.
Figuren Magazine
The magazine for Germany's toy soldier
collectors . Contact: Andreas Pletruschka,
Spcn erstrassc 17, 1000 Berlin 21, Germany.
Holgcr Er iksso n Collector Socie ty
A quarterly newsletter specializing in the
products and associated companies of
Eriksson . Contact: Lou Sandbotc, 5307E
Mockin gbird, Suit e 802, Dallas, Texas
75206 5109, USA.
Military Hobbies
A bi -monthly magazine, of which a large
proportion is devoted to toy soldier
manufacturing products. Contact : Pireme
Publishing Lid, 34 Chatsworth Road,
Charminster, Bournemouth BH6 8SW, UK.
Military Modelling
Includes a mon thly soldier box column
giving details of toy soldier products and
events. Contact: Argus Specialist
Publi cations, Argus Hous e, Boundary \Vay,
Hemel Hempstead HP2 75T, UK.
Old Toy Sold ie r News le tter
A bi -monthly publi cation covering all
aspects of old and new toy soldier
collecting. Contact : Steve and Josie
Sommers (editors), 209 North Lombard,
Oak Park, Illinois 60302- 2503 , USA.
Plasti c Figures and Playsct Co llector
Specializes in plasti c IIgures produced by
Marx. Contact: Tom Ter ry (editor), PO
Box 1355 , La Crosse, Wi sconsin
5460 2 1355, USA.
Th e Pla stic Warrio r
Magazine, available by subscr iption, for
coll ectors interested in and specializing in
collect ing plastic toy soldiers. Contact: 65
Walton Court , Waking, Surrey GU 21 5EE,
UK.
Toy Soldier Revi ew
A quarterly publi cation cover ing old and
new toy soldiers . Contact: Bill Lango
(editor) , c/ o Vintage Castings, 127 74th
Str eet, Nor th Ber gen, New I,'rsey 07047,
USA.
The William Britain
The magazine of the Wi lliam Britain
Collectors Club . Sec Societi es and Clubs,
page 79 .
Woody's Word
A qua rterly newsletter covering toy soldier
news and events. Contact : M. D.
Paulussc n, 19 Seneca Trail, Wayne, New
Jersey 07470, USA.
SOCIETI ES AN IJ CLU 8S
.................................................................... ............................... ................ ...:
SOCIETIES, CLUBS AND AUCTIONS
Le s Amis d e Star l ux (The Friends of
Starlux)
A regular magazine provides details of
Sta r lux's products. Details from: Patrice
Reynaud, 9 Grand rue, 11400 Ville Neuve,
La Comptar, France.
British Model So ldier Society
This long-established society caters for the
needs of the toy and model soldier
collector. There are regional branches,
exhibitions and competitions and an annual
national event in London. Part of the
society's own colle ction is displayed at
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire.
Membership details from : lan R. Webb,
Honorary Treasurer, 35 St John's Road,
Chelmsford, Essex CM2 OTX, UK.
Toy Soldier Collectors of America
A directory of members both in the USA
and throughout the world. Details from :
John Giddings, 5340 40th Avenue North,
St Petersburgh, Florida 33709, USA.
William Britain Co llect o rs Club
Membership includes a special Britains
figure, issued each year exclusively to
members, who also receive a twice-yearly
magazine and details of forthcoming
Britains figures . Membership detai ls from:
William Britain Collectors Club, PO Box
1946, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 3TS,
UK.
AUCTIONS
Ch r is t ies, So uth Kensin g t on Ltd.
Contact: Hugo Marsh or Daniel Agnew, 85
Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3LD,
UK.
La c y Sco tt, 10 Risbygate Street, Bury St
Edmunds, Suffolk, UK. Contact: George
Bcevis or Peter Crichton.
Ph illips Bayswate r, 10 Salem Road,
Bayswater, London W2 4DL, UK. Contact:
James Opie (consultant).
Wa ll is & Wa ll is, West Str eet Auction
Galleries, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2NJ, UK.
Contact: Glen Butler.
Henry Kurt z Ltd, 163 Amsterdam
Avenue, Suite 136, New York, NY, USA
10023.
79
IN 11EX
A
Abel, C.D. 21
Airfix 40,51
All Nu37
aluminiumfigures 14, 73,
74
American Soldier Co. 11, 37
Angla-Russian Toy Soldier
Co. 19
Aylmer 17
B
Barcloy 12, 35, 36, 37, 38
Banbros 29
Baton 40
Blenheim range 57-9
BMC28
boxed sets52, 66, 68, 69,
71,72
Brent Toy Co. 33
Britain, Williom, Lld7, 9, 12,
13, 14, 20-26, 28, 29,
43, 44, 48, 51
Armies ot theWarld 20, 24
centenary issues 70, 71, 72
Deetoil 8, 46, 47
Eyes Right44
French office 22
New Metal Models 14,47,
66-72
Picture Pocks 24
Regiments of All
Notions 24
special issues 67, 69
Swoppets 43
Burley, Edword 65
C
careof figures 12-13
cost-ironprocess 37
Covendish Miniatures 51
celluloid figures 39, 73
Charbens 28, 49, 51
Cherilea 41,49,51 ,62
camposition figures 7, 14,
32-4,39
connoisseur figures 17-19
Crescent 28, 29, 30, 41, 49
D
Delhi Durbor 59
Dietz, Stephen 65
dimestone figures 7, 14,
35-9
display 12
Dorset Soldiers 51, 62
Ducal 60
E
Eccles Bras38
Elastolin 32, 33, 55
80
Eriksson, Holger 17, 40
Evzane guards 9
F
Figur 17
forts, toy 75
French figures 7,15, 16,18,
29,31,34,53,74
Fry, A 21,28
Fylde Manufacturing Co. 28
G
Gariboldi 65
Gougemaster 55
German figures 6, 7, 15, 16,
32, 33, 55, 73
GM29,31
Greenwood & Ball 10
GreyIran37
Guards Toy Soldier centre 61
H
Hall, Charles 60
HonksBros 21, 28
Harvey 28
Hausser 32, 55
Heinrichsen 6
Herald 25, 41, 42, 43, 45,
46
Heyde 15,16
Hill, John, & Co 12, 26-7,
28, 29, 50
Hacker, Bill 65
hollow-costfigures 7, 8, 14,
20-31 ,41 ,44,50,57,
68, 70
home-costing sets38
HongKong 43, 46, 53, 56
I
identification 12, 21
Insel19
Italianfigures 7, 17, 65
J
Japonese-made tigures 9,
37, 39
Jones, Edward 30
K
knights 24, 45, 47, 49
Krolyn of Copenhagen 73
L
lead6,7,8, 14,23,33,39,
43, 57, 74
content in toys8, 14, 57
hollow-cost 20-31
solid 15- 19
limitededitions 66, 68, 70
Lincoln Logs11, 37
LP31
Iucone 15
M
Malleable Mouldings 40
Manoil 36, 38
Marlborough range 59
Marlborough of Wales 51
Marksmen 52
MarkTIme 60
Marx& Co52, 73
McLoughlin 37, 75
Mignot15, 16,31
Miller34
Minikins37, 39
N
Napoleonic figures 31, 47,
53
NewMetal Models 14, 47,
66-72
NewToySoldiers 8, 14,
57-65
p
paper figures 14, 73, 75
Pfeiffer 32
plaster figures33, 34
plasticfigures 8, 14, 23, 25,
27,40-56
Playwood Plastics 10, 38
plug-in heads 14, 16
podtoot figures 35
PoplarPlaythings 50
Q
Quiralu 54, 74
R
Reamso 54
Reka 28
reissues 51,52,54,62
restoration 13
Riviere & Willeff 34
Rose, Andrew 58, 59, 62
Rose Miniatures 18
Russian figures 19
S
Sochs 38
SChierke 38
SCroby, Frank and Jon
57-60,66
Shimek, Joe65
slush-caslfigures 7, 14
Soldiers Soldiers 62
solid leadfigures 7, 14,
15-19,51
Somerset 65
sources 11
Spanish figures 54
Stadden 18, 19
Starlux 53
Steadfast Soldiers 64
Swoppet features 43, 44, 45,
48
T
Tabony, Marlin63
Taylor & Barreff 28
Thampson, MajarGovin 63
Tirnpo 28, 29, 33, 41, 48
tin figures 73
Toydell33
Toywoy 51
Tradition 17
Treasure Chest 15
Trico 39
Trophy Miniatures 61,62
Tunslill, John62
u
USfigures7,9,11,15,17,
34, 35-9, 40, 73
dimestare 7, 12, 14,
35-9
hollow-cost 29, 30
home-costing sets38
New ToySoldiers 65
poper 75
plaster 34
plastic 40, 52, 53
slush-cost 7, 14
v
VP 51
W
Wall, Ron65
Warren 37
Wend-AI 74
whitemetal seeNewToy
Soldiers, NewMetal Models
WildWest figures 40, 42, 49
wooden figures 73, 75
WorldWar 17
tigures 22, 31, 49
WorldWar 11 7, 8, 23, 24,
27,28,33,39,40,55
figures 12, 46, 55
Z
long, M. seeHerald
Zulu Warfigures 61
This page intentionaly left blank
TOY SOLDIERS
Full colour photographs of more than
150 toy soldiers
Covers all major interna tiona l toy

soldier manufacturers
Includes tips on purchasing, storing,

displaying and caring for a collection
ISBN 1-85348-925-5
9 781853 489259 >

Toy Soldiers

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Descrizione originale:

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Toy Soldiers

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

TOY SOLDIERS

The new compact study guide and identifier

Covers all major interna tiona l toy

Includes tips on purchasing, storing,

Potrebbero piacerti anche