Britains Toy Soldiers

Britain's toy soldiers are not just nostalgia pieces from English history. Their range is vast, spanning 15th Century Knights in armor, through to the soldiers of Napoleonic France, and from the soldiers of the American Revolution and the American Civil War, right through the two World Wars to the soldiers of the present day.

Each series contains notable historical figures from the period that are easy to recognize and meticulously researched until they are quite literally a joy to behold.

Britain's also produce bandsmen, animals, horsemen and civilians, charging cavalrymen, and even casualties; as well as all the sets and scenery required to create accurate dioramas of world famous battles and infamous fighting encounters from Medieval Jousting Tournaments, to the Zulu War.

Vintage collections from the archives are still made from the original castings and packed in boxes as authentic as their contents. A Britain's box, with its distinguished artworks is as world renowned as the soldier's nestled inside.

They have produced sets inspired by Gettysburg, the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, winners of the Victoria Cross, a special edition for the bi-centenary of Nelson's triumph at Trafalgar which includes the crew of the HMS Victory, and a collection of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table.

Britain's toy soldiers are 1:32 scale, which means that a soldier standing erect is roughly 2.5 inches tall. That might not seem very big compared to some of the more hi-tech action toys of today, but Britain's toy soldiers are as tactile as they are realistic, so whether a seasoned collector is seeking to add to a growing series or build a detailed diorama, or a youngster is being introduced to toy soldiers from different nations for the very first time, these are creations that will not only capture and inspire the imagination but teach everyone who has contact with them a little something they might never have known before about the history they hold in their hands.

W. Britain is a name that has lasted for well over 100 years, and weathered many storms along the way. With loving care it will undoubtedly go on for many hundreds more as parents pass collections on to their children and their children's children, and the significance of the military history that Britain's toy soldiers have so remarkably displayed, will continue to play an important role in ensuring these memories never die.

Anyone who has ever played with or collected toy soldiers, will at some time in their pursuit have heard the name William Britain. In 1893, this British toy maker completely revolutionized the manufacturing of toy soldiers with the process of hollow lead casting which allowed for cheap mass manufacture that was economically important when the price of lead was expensive and the hollow toys used less raw material. It also allowed for more detail to be incorporated in the casting design and the W. Britain brand name rapidly became an industry standard to be emulated by others.

Britain's catalog stood at more than 2200 sets by the time new safety regulations were introduced in 1966 concerning the use of lead in toys, and they turned their production to plastic, manufacturing figures with metal bases. In 1973 they introduced new models in die cast alloys and lead free pewter that were aimed at the English souvenir market, but ten years later, answering a growing demand from collectors, Britain's began to expand their range again and even introduced new limited edition sets that included versions of their older toys, some of which were actually made from the original molds that had be carefully kept in their archive.

Growing nostalgia for all things traditionally English in the early 1980's meant that ceremonial figures like Yeomen, Life Guards and the Black Watch were highly popular, and not just with tourists in London but with collectors all over the world, so that finally these much beloved little toys were given the honored status of 'collectables'.

On the 100th anniversary of the W. Britain toy soldier first becoming a popular reality, the W. Britain Collectors Club was launched to bring together thousands of enthusiasts of all ages from all across the globe. Members receive 4 magazines a year, special catalog offers and even birthday and Christmas cards. A special anniversary set of The Coldstream Guards, 43117C, was also produced to celebrate so significant an event.

Today the W. Britain name is in the hands of First Gear, an America toy company with an incredibly strong reputation in creating some of the most sophisticated and intimately detailed die cast models currently available, and they are committed to as much authenticity as William Britain himself, using historical research from military museums and qualified experts to ensure that their quality is never compromised and they remain a world leader.

Britains Lead Toy Soldier Figure Charbens Johillco    US $9.99

NEW W Britain Civil War Toy Soldier General Meade MINT    US $26.98

Toy Soldiers Britains Deetail DSG US Rough Riders 6 Hand Painted Figures 1 32    US $20.98

Civil War Toy Soldiers Britains Deetail CUSTOM Confederate Bonnie Blue Flag    US $6.98