A Toy Soldier's Primer" Britain's Ltd.

[stratasfan]

Toy Soldiers: Britain's Ltd.

(Written by @Dirk)

 

Occasionally, folks on the forum come across antique toy soldiers and struggle to identify them or ask when they were made or about their value. So, I thought I would start a thread highlighting at least one company that produced toy soldiers starting in 1893 and continuing to this day (2022): Britains Limited. Originally, the company was located in London, England, and had been in the toy business since the 1850’s when they initially produced mechanical toys.

 

Strangely, despite being a world leader in so many areas, England (at the end of the Victorian age) was almost a non-entity in the toy soldier market. In fact, until late into the 1890’s, the market in the United Kingdom and continental Europe was dominated by German and French manufacturers. Figures from these two countries were exported worldwide and came in a variety of scales. They were mainly made of solid cast lead or flat figures made of tin, all finely painted.  Then, around 1893, Britains developed a “hollow cast” process that allowed the casting of lead figures to be accomplished far more cheaply than their European rivals. Their method used less lead to produce, because the figures were hollow inside. Additionally, through smart marketing, the company proudly informed the British public that these were British made soldiers, and not made by rival European nations. Needless to say, in an age of nationalistic competition, they were a domestic hit with an expanding product range every year until 1941.

 

 

Early in their toy soldier history, Britains gave each set a production number starting with set #1: The First Life Guards. Britains Limited was so successful that they drove their German rivals right out of the catalogue of one of London’s biggest department stores by 1906. Soon, Britains opened a Paris office to take on the French market, and after WWI began to heavily export to new markets such as the United States and Latin America. Their hollow cast lead soldiers remained in production until 1967, when soldiers made of lead were outlawed for safety reasons. Britains however, continued producing figures in plastic, and (starting in 1973) figures with a non-lead-based metal. They remain in production to this day with a number of different lines, painting and sculpting styles. Perhaps, because of the way they were marketed (usually by individual regiments), or because of their appealing box art, they are (in my honest opinion) the standard by which all antique soldiers are measured by collectors in both the US and the UK. While French companies produced far more elegant figures, and the Germans far more animated (found in a variety of poses and backed up by an amazing line of tin vehicles that surpasses anything Britains ever produced for realism), Britains figures continue to have a fixed place in the toy soldier collecting community and are far more likely to be encountered in America than their French and German counterparts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MODERN COLLECTING CATEGORY TERMINOLOGY

The collecting community groups Britains lead figures into several distinct production eras:

Ancients (1893-1922)

Pre-War (1922-41)

Post-War (1945-1967)

 

Beyond those eras, Britains plastic figures and those produced after 1967 have their own categories and subcategories, but these won’t be initially covered in this thread.

Shown from the viewers left to right: two Ancient-era Royal Marines, two Pre-War-era Royal Marines, and two Post-War-era Royal Marines.

 

 

 

SIZES

All Britains standardized figures are 54mm or 2-1/8 inches high. Although, some of the very early figures were 52mm, and Britains did (around the turn of the century) produce a range of smaller figures. These are seldom encountered by the average American collector, so won’t be covered here.

 

 

(To be continued . . .)

[stratasfan]

Dating your Britains figures

 

With such long production run, it should be no surprise many of these figures were re-sculpted over the years multiple times, as well as changes to how they were painted and packaged. It’s painting style, packaging, and content that gives clues to production dates.

 

Here is the evolution of how figures changed over time using set #35, Royal Marines at slope, from the viewers left to right is it’s most early version figure (c. 1897) thru to later figures (1954)….set 35 holds the record for the most variations of any set. The officer and the other ranks below him account for each modification. To the far left is the bemedaled officer with fixed arms. Below him is a Marine with the valise pack. Note they have round bases. Next are the 1905 figures. The officer now has a movable arm with sword, and has the new square base but the other ranks is still sporting a round base. He did however discard the old valise pack for the newer box pack. The next figures dates from around 1908 and the other ranks Marine carries a new rifle. The next figures sport white helmets and date from the early 1920’s. In 1934 the helmet changed again to the Wolseley pattern, although the Marines still retain the box pack and gaitered pants. By 1936 both officer and enlisted men were full trousers while still retaining the box pack. The officer no longer carries a sword. In 1937 the box pack has been removed as well as mustaches. The last four figures date from after WWII, with the final enlisted man on the lower right having a slightly different bayonet (1954).

 

Below the Royal Marines are a few figures from set #2 “The Royal Horse Guards”. On the far left is a figure that dates between 1902 and 1912. The trooper has aiguillettes moulded to his chest plate and a moveable arm(as opposed to the first version that carried his tin strip sword with a fixed arm), and carries a carbine. The horse also has a single moulded ear known in collectors terminology called “a one eared horse”. Moving to the right, the next version dates to no later than 1912, the trooper no longer wears aiguillettes, but retains his carbine and one eared horse. The next version picks up starting in 1912, now rides a two eared horse without carbine. The next version dates from after 1925 when the swords were thinner(although this sword has broken). Since this last trooper has a red collar we know the figure dates after 1930, when Britains corrected their uniform mistake and added the red collar. Note the trooper has no moustache, but because of the presence of the red collar it’s not a post 1937 set. Understanding such small nuances in the evolution of your figures will allow you to more or less accurately date your figures.

 

 

 

 

 

Boxes and content.

The standard the company eventually settled upon after a few years of production was 8 infantry to a box, usually with one figure representing an officer. Mounted figures came 5 figures to a box with one figure being either a bugler or an officer.  Although they also produced some massive sets that had up to 273 figures in them, they are rare and most likely will not be encountered. But for all sets, over time, as materials became more expensive, figure numbers were cut from the boxes, particularly after WWII. So an 8 piece set might be reduced to 7 pieces and cavalry set reduced from 5 pieces to 4 by the early 1960’s. Here is a 8 piece set of Royal Marines at the present c. 1937-38 (front rank)….and the same set post-war, now reduced to 7 figures (rear rank). Notice the post-war figures have a different base and of a different color. This base color change was due to the figures now being used to simulate lining a road the Coronation route would take when accompanied by the Queens Coronation coach, footmen, and outriders.  It was probably because of the Royal Marines performing this duty during Queen Elizabeth’s coronation that the set was reissued after the war.

 

 

 

 

 

Poses of Britains soldiers were heavily inspired by period artwork such as done by Richard Simkin, or from illustrations found in the Army and Navy Gazette. Here is a Simkin print with set # 206 the Warwickshire Regiment and another Simkin print of the sideways turned 5th Lancer officer, and it’s Britains counterpart found in set #33 the 16/5th Lancers, as well as a number of other lancer sets.

 

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

[stratasfan]

Changes in boxes.

 

Over the years, Britains changed box styles and packing styles for their figures which can further help date them. Early on Britains  followed the continental example and packed them in red  boxes with a label on top of the box. These early boxes, made of cardboard (and lighter then wooden boxes from the continental makers), were divided internally so each soldier sat cushioned in its own compartment. Later the figures were tied to a card inside the box. Also in the late 1930’s Britains tried slotting their figures in to the base of a box.  Britains standard boxes were rectangular, vice continental square boxes. Early Britains boxes have simple labels and are now called “Printer Label” boxes. Such a box usually had regimental battle honors on the label and a few other simple embellishments such as flowers or patterns. A box lacking Boer War or WWI battle honors means it dates the set to before the Boer War or WWI. The Worcestershire Regiment box is shown as it is pretty close to mint. The next image shows the original tissue paper that protected the figures. The next two images show how they were tied in the box. These figures have not been removed since they were placed in the box c. 1937. Below that is a mounted unit box showing the holes were the figures were tied and a multiple row box minus its contents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting in 1908 a local artist, Fred Whisstock was employed to give the boxes more appealing labels. Whisstock added images of soldiers of the regiment, although not always in the poses included in the box. He continued making new labels thru 1930. Whisstock labels will have the artist name printed on them. Whisstock boxes have their own appeal to Britains collectors. After Whisstock departed, Britain’s employed other artists to update old boxes or create new designs for new figures. In the late 30’s they came up with a generic box that was increasing used with Dominion and foreign troops.

 

 

 

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

[stratasfan]

More pre-war box designs.

 

 

 

 

 

After WWII, Britains developed a standardized universal box label that read “Regiments of All Nations”….these will always contain post-war made figures. In 1962 they “modernized” their packaging again, this time with clear fronted cellophane and cardboard boxes (cellophane box image from eBay)

 

 

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

 

 

[stratasfan]

Standing up figures.

 

Early standing infantry figures had round unmarked bases, followed around 1901 by round based figures with small round paper labels found underneath the figure contains copyright information. Followed around 1908 by figures with square bases that had embossed copyright information on its underside, stating the name of the company, after several rival company’s were sued for copyright infringement. Figures made at their Paris  office have the word “Depose” stamped on them. Although when the Paris office closed in the early 1920’s many of these French castings were sent back to England and used for years thereafter. Starting in the early 1900’s Mounted figures, Britains after experimenting with detachable lead copyright tabs, settled on embossing copyright information on to the bellies of their horses. Some general guidelines for dating the creation of a figures cast:

 

1901-12: “COPYRIGHT Wm BRITAIN” or “Wm BRITAIN JRN” and sometimes “MADE IN ENGLAND”

1913: “BRITAINsS LTD. COPYRIGHT PROPRIETORS”

1937: “MADE IN ENGLAND BRITAINS LTD COPYRIGHT PROPRIETORS”

1946: “COPYRIGHT BRITAINS LTD MADE IN ENGLAND “

1956: “BRITAINS LTD ENGLAND”

 

Below the shots of Britains bases are some photos of Britains in-country competitors….primarily the John Hill Company that was started by a former employee of Britains. There are others, but none of them come up to the standards Britains set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another dating technique is looking at the boots of a figure.  Into the early 1930’s figures(right) wore gaiters and are called half-booted by collectors.  By the mid 30’s soldiers wore full trousers, with the gaiters no longer being present. Also note the deep translucent blue of the trousers…this is a feature found on many of Britain’s figures ranging from the early 1900’s thru the 1930’s.

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

[stratasfan]

Painting styles.

 

Each era has its distinctive painting style and their own charm. Britain’s standard figures were for the most part well painted. Britain’s put a premium on accuracy, something they accused the German producers of falling short on. Casting was done by men, and painting by women. At a penny a figure a Edwardian-age woman could make a good wage cranking out painted figures at the factory or at home. The company went through periods where painting was generally better executed then other periods. Take faces. Britain’s figure faces were a flesh tone with a circle of pink added to each cheek. Followed by mustaches or red lips for un-mustached figures, two black dots for eyes and possibly eye brows and chin straps painted in.  During Britain’s “Ancient” period, figures tended to be well painted: neat without overusing paint, eye brows might be painted in above the eyes neatly. Mustaches aligning just below the nose. Later periods eyes might not be centered, mustaches might done diagonal across the face, lips may be thick in bold red making the figure looking like it’s wearing lipstick. One trick you can use for dating a Britains figure is sometime around 1937-1938, they stopped painting mustaches on their figures. Probably the nations leading authority on Britain’s is partial to the painting done during 1937-38 (yes, experts can sometimes narrow down a figures production by the paint style). To him this is the apex years of finely painted standard figures. 

 

Here is a compilation of faces from Ancient (top 6), pre war (middle 6), followed by Post-war (bottom 6). The early figures paint has mellowed and darkened around the faces, while the post war figures remain bright and more glossy. The post-war figures are almost a bit cartoonish to me. 

 

 

 

 

 

Britains also made special castings and provided extra quality painting for collectors. This set of highlanders might fall within that range…or they could be collector embellished. Under black light period Britains paint should not glow. If it does, a collector has messed with the figure. However, more recent expert repairers/restorers usually use paint that does not always glow. Currently, there is rumored to be a group of sellers in England who buy old battered figures and repaint them flawlessly….but they tend to focus on Ancients and rare sets or create fantasy sets that were never produced. Here is a standard highlander (left) with possibly a special paint, or a more likely embellished figure (right). Note the highlander on the right has touch up paint of a different shade indicating it’s been messed with.

 

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

[stratasfan]

Change in sets.

 

The next series of photos will cover the evolution of the various sets. Britains was very robust in continuing to redesign their figures - always looking to improve them either for accuracy, or updating of equipment, or to make them more anatomically correct. Here is set # 80 White jackets. The figure on the left is as first issued (1897)with a oblong base and a somewhat smaller head in proportion to the figure. The second figure dates to around c1907 and has a square, but as of yet, unmarked base and an improved head. The third casting was created in 1910, and now has new head, and moves the rifle from slope to trail. The slope position being rather difficult to maintain while running. Because the neckerchief is a darker blue then the earlier powder blue, we can assume this particular figure dates from 1938-1941. This set was dropped from the Britains catalog after WWII.

 

 

 

Here are two versions of the highly popular mountain battery. On the top is the 1st version (first introduced in 1895). The officer is fixed arm on a spindly horse . The walking artillery man is a few millimeters short of their standard 54mm sized figure, is on a round unmarked base. The second version not shown here, provided a slightly redesigned taller artillery man on a square base and an improved officer. The bottom image shows the third version (reintroduced in 1952) with the officer having a movable arm and now riding the chunky aide-de-camp horse. 

 

 

 

Seated figures. These are the type of figures one would encounter driving Britains supply wagons, artillery cassions, and horse drawn ambulances. The earlier figures have their feet together while the later figures have their feet apart. I believe the feet apart design change came around 1922.

 

 

 

 

Artillery changes. In the top photo the gun on the left is the first version of the Royal Field Artillery Gun. The gun to its right the revised field gun of 1932. The second picture highlights the guns of the Royal Navy Land Party. The gun on the left dates from 1897, while the gun on the right is a post war example. Note the earlier gun has eight spokes per wheel, while the later gun has 12. There was an intervening period when the gun (not shown here), in the 1920’s had 10 spokes.

 

 

 

 

Royal Field Artillery. Britains horse drawn artillery sets were always spectacular. Although set #144 was first issued in 1906, the set shown here dates to 1916-17, the year when they replaced the twisted wire roped traces between the horses with metal rods, eliminated the buckets seats on the gun, and gunners that rode on top of them. The horses still retail their old collar harnesses that would be replaced in 1922 by the improved breast harness. The gun’s finish is in brownish khaki, shown it was likely made the year before the company gave all their guns and wagons a darkened “fumed” finish which will be talked about later. The other set seen at the bottom comes from an on-line image, and shows the set in its post-1932 configuration (a new gun and updated limber). Note gunners no longer ride on the limber (in fact the seated gunners are eliminated) and the collars have been changed to the lighter breast harness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feet together-Feet apart. Britains earliest lying firing figures had their feet together. At some point around 1933 they realized this pose was not realistic, so they redesigned them with their feet apart as shown here on the right. 

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

[stratasfan]

US Marines. To the left is a set of pre-war Marines that would contain 8 Marines at the slope without officer, but one figure would be painted as a well hashmarked NCO (to include blood striped trousers). They wear blue dress caps, but with a strangely embellished red hatband and collar. Perhaps this is attempt to recreate the Marine’s long discarded special dress uniform. The postwar figures below appear with white dress cap and an empty handed officer (not shown)who was introduced in 1948. Note the painting styles between the pre-war and post-war eras. 

 

 

 

 

West Point cadets came in summer and winter uniforms starting in 1926. The set consisted of 8 marching cadets. On the left is the pre-war cadets in winter uniforms. On the right post-war cadets in their summer dress uniforms. Both sets in summer and winter uniforms were available pre- and post-war. Again, a good opportunity to study painting styles and how the paint Britains used mellows after 80 plus years.

 

 

 

 

Horse harnesses. The top collar harness shown dates from the late 1890’s while the lower harness was introduced in 1922.

 

 

 

Three versions of the 4.7 “ Naval Gun….a popular model that lasted in the Britains inventory until the late 1970’s. It was based upon a naval gun modified for land action during the Boer War. It was a popular item and it appears prominently in H. G. Wells book “Little Wars”. On the far right with gold barrel is the gun’s second version (roughly 1904-08) with an open spring on the gun’s trail. The first version had a closed spring, but Britains found the spring broke easily and was hard to replace, so the rectified the problem through redesign. The next version dates from WWI or shortly thereafter, when Britains “fumed finished” their wagons and guns by hanging them in sheds above vats of smoking chemicals. The third version now painted in a olive color with gun shield added, dates after 1934 and was a completely redesigned model of the gun.  Later models were made of increasingly cheaper and lighter metal and painted a dark but yet brighter green.

 

 

 

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

[stratasfan]

What make a set valuable.

 

Same as in any collecting field: rarity, condition, and desirability. Rarity is based usually upon how long a figure was produced, or how likely it was to survive to this day. A early set #1 Life Guard figure (that was modeled on German mounted figures) in good to excellent condition that was produced in 1893, but replaced by a remodeled figure three years later, will be far more desirable then a mint in box set #1 Life Guard figure made in the 1920’s….of which thousands might survive. Collectors also love original boxes, although many years ago this was not the case. And now box condition is a factor…is the box intact, edges rubbed, is the label clean, tie card missing? Next is the set complete. If you know a set had 8 men but one is missing or broken, value drops considerably. Some collectors think they can buy a rare set and add a missing single piece. However, this in many cases proves next to impossible, as paint shades varied and painting styles vary slightly set to set (after all they were hand painted)…even if two identical figures were produced at the same time….painters were given pails of paint to take home or use in the factory and it’s rare to see a match. As one dealer said “finding matching khaki figures is next to impossible as there was countless shades of khaki in the Britains paint inventory”. Broken figures go beyond the obvious of missing bases or heads or arms, they include snapped off bayonets, helmet balls and spikes, rifle barrels…all impact value…paint loss is a factor. Another thing to check for is match stick repairs. Heads break off…but the can easily be mended by sticking a match stick in the neck of a figure and glued to the body of the casting. Look along the neck area for repairs. One interesting bit of damage is figures with holes in them….early Britains cannons shot lead shells and rods with the pretty good velocity and this accounts for damage we sometimes see (note the mounted figure with the round hole). Collectors like matched sets that have been together since they left  the factory. Check bases, does the base paint match for all the figures. Do the flesh tones match on the faces, the hair match, the shades of paint on the uniforms, do they match? Note a solidly repaired horse leg and three distinct sailors from different sets but still sold as a set….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

[stratasfan]

Black light testing.

 

Britains paint does not really react to black light, but modern paints used for touching up do. So if you see glow, chances are the figures have been messed with. Of course restorers and some sellers who are setting out deceive, now use paints that do not react to black light. Study your figures carefully. Sadly, these figures are fully repainted….with an original of the same period to compare it to….

 

 

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

[stratasfan]

Once Britains “standard size” soldiers became a dominate force in the UK, the company attempted to expand into other sections of toy soldier market. This led them prior to WWI to produce smaller scale (I think 44mm) figures (although well painted), and a line of gold wash single colored figures that could be had for a Pence apiece. After WWI they brought out a new line they called the “A Series”. These figures were the same size as their standard figures, but lacked moveable arms and were painted to a noticeably lower standard. The introduction of their A Series coincided with Britains expansion into the American market, and so a number of US figures were available as both standard and A Series sets. Here we have an opportunity to compare similar figures from both ranges: Set # 63A American sailors wearing their winter uniform and a standard Set #230 US Sailors also in winter uniform. Both sets were issued in 1926 (although #230 shown here judging from the painting style, author and Britains expert, Joe Wallis estimates to be from around 1937).  The first thing you notice is the A Series does not enjoy the benefit of fancy Whisstock artwork, instead it’s a plain label box. Then you open the box and see the contents: only 6 sailors vice the customary 8 per box, and they do not have movable arms. As for the painting differences: the Standard series utilizes 10 distinct shades of paint, while the A Series only uses 7. In addition, the A Series figures are not painted to the same high standard: gaiters and shoes form a single swipe of brown paint, while the Standard set has black shoes and brown gaiters.  The artist paints the lower half A Series rifles in blue as she uses that color for the trousers. Note the A Series only has black eyes for the face, while the Standard Set has eyes, cheeks, and lips painted in. Set #230 and the A Series lasted until 1941. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is hot and what is not.

 

In the 1970’s prices for old Britains took off and continued to climb through the 80’s and 90’s, but has since gone soft. The reasons are numerous, but tastes change. Just a few years ago collecting Britains band sets was the hot ticket, now one dealer complains you can’t give them away. Right now the types of Britains most likely to be found in this country are post-war figures….for these in many cases, the market is very flat….but select Ancients and rare Pre-war sets are doing pretty well.  Here are some pictures of a Royal Medical Crops ambulance set. Probably made in the early 1920’s, it gives you a good idea of the amazing range of figures Britains produced.

 

Now we come to the end of the main portion of the lead figure primer. I hope it has helped those unfamiliar with Britains and what to look for when you come across them. Below is a highly shortened history of the company, post-lead era. These are the types of Britain’s items you most likely will encounter at garage sales, and flea markets. 

 

 

 

 

 

With the demise of the lead soldier, Britains switched production to its various lines of plastic figures. These are shots from their 1973 catalog showing the types of figures children of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s grew up with…and were available in hobby stores and high end department stores. Although in the early 70’s Sears was also selling them. For those grown collectors that had the WWII range, the helmet decals easily fell off after a few battles. Surprisingly, their plastic figures are now becoming highly collectible. The last three photos are from Britain’s Deetail range probably in the 80’s (thanks Gil for sharing them) showing how the American Civil War/7th Cav figures evolved over those three decades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

[stratasfan]

And then in 1973 Britains announced the restart of metal (no longer using lead) toy soldier production with these hybrid plastic and metal Guardsmen. Although they were a far cry from the standards the company set decades before, us younger collectors were ecstatic. 

 

 

 

 

By the early 1980’s interest in sold toy soldiers had exploded….and again better department stores started carrying hand painted  “cottage workshop” metal figures, auction houses started hosting antique toy soldier sales, and SoS-like multi-day shows were held across the country.  Britains seeing this trend, started issuing limited edition metal figure sets yearly through the 1980’s. These retailed for $75 a set and for several years discontinued sets would soar to $1,000 before the market collapsed, and now can be had for between $75 and $200 a set.

 

 

 

 

And in the 1990’s limited edition sets painted to closely mirror their earlier figures came out. In fact, they even used in some cases original moulds to recast and recreate earlier sets, or create new sets for units previously not produced during the days of the Empire. And at this point you get a general idea of the range of figures out there….running from vintage lead to current. Last three photos via UK eBay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(To be continued . . . )

[stratasfan]

I am pretty much done with this primer, so now its time to do a thread on American, French, or German made-figures. With the advent of the restarting of metal figure production, Britains has over the last three decades produced a variety of ranges highlighting different styles. For a few years the company released a series of historic figures based upon the highly animated and excellently painted style of “King and Country” out of Hong Kong. As well a new styles as their designers saw fit. In 1984 the family sold the company, and I believe it is now owned by an American conglomerate that still produces figures (last three photos via Uk eBay)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Proud Kraut]

Dirk, this is an outstanding reference, can´t get enough of regarding your awesome collection. Thanks for sharing all these information.

 

Also thanks to Elizabeth for posting this topic here as well. I will dig out my (newer)Britain´s figures and add them here in the next few days .

[SARGE]

Really, really nice.  I am learning a lot.

 

 

[Dirk]

Thanks Sarge!

[Proud Kraut]

Most of my toys didn´t survive my childhood but these figures did. I got these when I was a child and, thank God, my dad stored them away for me. Today I´m happy that I still have them since more than 50 years and in rather good condition, my Britains USMC band.

 

 

 

[Proud Kraut]

These are handsome guys. No wonder they made it on the cover of a military music album I found some years ago. Forward march!

 

 

[Dirk]

Great set Lars!