CLASSIC TOY SOLDIER

CLASSIC TOY SOLDIER

The expensive process of casting lead soldiers lasted until 1893. William Britain, a British toy-maker who had already enjoyed other successes with tin toys, had a son also named William who invented the hollow cast method for the production of toy soldiers. This process used a cold mold with an air-hole, into which lead was poured.




The process did not waste any lead and resulted in soldiers that were essentially hollow and therefore very economical to produce. The first figures produced were a set of five Life Guards on horses and the second was a set of five Horse Guards.

CLASSIC TOY SOLDIER

Britain's toy soldiers were an immediate success, partly because they were inexpensive and partly because they were marketed as uniquely English toys. A few years later, Britain began to cast the arms separately, so they could be moved, and the manufacturer advertised this as a great advantage. In 1990, after many smaller firms had been prosecuted tor copying Britain's designs, the firm began to stamp trade name, copyright and date of manufacture.

CLASSIC TOY SOLDIER

After WWII, Britain expanded its production to include Cowboys, Indians, pieces of artillery and sets with large numbers of figures. One of the most famous and remarkable items that Britain's made prior to WWII and the stepping down of production, due to lead rationing, was the design of the 19 M state coach for the Coronation. It was a remarkable example of workmanship and
models of Queen Elizabeth and King George were also manufactured.

CLASSIC TOY SOLDIER

By the end of the 1940s, Britain's had resumed robust post-war production. The company brought out another State Coach and appropriate models of the military and civilian units who played a role in the Coronation.




Additional innovation, including the development of action figures and the production of individually packaged soldiers, did nothing to change the inevitable tide. In 1967, the government issued laws controlling the lead content in childrens' toys. The Britain's catalogue of 1966 does not include hollow-cast lead models.

CLASSIC TOY SOLDIER

In the early 1970s, Britain's reestablished themselves with the production of New Metal Models which retain Britain's legendary emphasis on  accurate apparel and weaponry. In 1983, Britain's launched its range of limited editions, which proved remarkably popular with collectors.

Further  Blog Reading

Part 1      TOY SOLDIERS

Part 2      CLASSIC  TOY SOLDIERS

part 3      PLASTIC TOY  SOLDIERS

Collectibles  Coach