This German produces figures with an childish appearance but some are very well researched and historically correct. Antiquity The couple Cleopatra and Julius Caesar is the most famous of Antiquity. I think they are very nicely done. Ref. 5394. The Egyptian army very well represented with the “khopesh” sword and shields with cow skin. A […]
Lego is a Danish company that produces plastic pieces to make everything you could imagine. This is probably the most famous toy making company of all. This company produces figures to go with their houses and vehicles. In my collection I have some figures of the Star War series. Some come with space ships and […]
This British company is, probably, the most famous maker of toy soldiers. Plastic Figures Britains Swoppets Swoppet, War of the Roses figures The swoppet figures are made of parts that joint though pegs. This series is one of the best ever produced in plastic. These figures were produced between 1959 and 1972.There are six different […]
Airfix was one of the most important makers of plastic kits and figures. The figures were made in scales 1/72 and 1/35. Nowadays the production of plastic kits continues. Recently a few boxes have been produced of figures in kit form. Airfix WWII Australian Infantry A02709 This reference included 7 different poses. The figures were […]
Flat figures are engraved in thin metal sheets. The tradition of flat figures continues in Germany. The figures are mostly 30mm height. Some artists achieve really masterpieces of painting with flat figures. I painted this medieval knight trying to give a sense of depth. This is always the challenge when painted this type of figures. […]
This company makes rubber moulds to make metal figures at home. There are various scales. I have figures in sizes 25 and 40mm.
Composition figures are made of a mixture of sawdust, glue, kaolin and cassein (Joplin). This mixture was put in a mold around a wire armature. The figures were sold painted.
For me to collect toy soldiers is not only to get many figures but also to know something about the company that made that particular item of my collection. Over the years I bought some books and magazines that I’m going to comment in the following posts. I hope that fellow collectors will find this […]
Metal figures usually home made from metal or rubber molds Some years ago when visiting Belgic, I bought a box from «Meisterzinn» company, with some molds to make metal semi flat figures. Over the years I have bought other figures in flea markets around Lisbon. Meisterzinn This German company makes metal molds to produce lead […]
1/32 plastic figures Airfix plastic figures were one of the most popular brands in the 60’s and 70’s. Nowadays this company continue to produce models of planes and military vehicles. In my collection I have many references but unfortunatly not all. French Guard Grenadiers. The engraving quality was very good. In each box there were […]