History of Toy Soldiers

Toy soldiers have been produced in varying quantities since the time of the ancient pharaohs. However, it was not until 1893 that William Britain and Sons Ltd of the United Kingdom perfected a process whereby toy soldiers could be produced in such quantity and sold cheaply enough to make them widely available to the mass market. Britains and the firms that followed made them hollow-cast and standardized the toy soldiers size to what we recognize today as the 54mm toy soldier. For decades thereafter children delighted in the gift of a box of toy soldiers from one of the growing numbers of manufacturers from around the world.

The military dress uniforms of toy soldiers were colourful and resplendent reflecting the period of their manufacture; so much so that their attraction was not confined to children. Film star Douglas Fairbanks Junior began collecting on his twelfth birthday and continued through most of his adult life. American businessman Malcolm S. Forbes was happy to share the delights of his forty thousand piece collection with the general public with its permanent display for many years at the Palais Mendoub in Tangier.

With an increasing awareness of the dangers of lead the manufacture of the early metal toy soldiers for children ceased during the mid twentieth century and was replaced with even cheaper versions made of plastic. These old toy soldiers refused to fade away however, and were much sought after at auction by the growing army of serious collectors. Such is the interest worldwide in these nostalgic links to our childhood that dozens, if not hundreds, of companies have in recent years begun the remanufacture of toy soldiers in non-poisonous metals for our pleasure once again.

Beau Geste, Dorset, Fusilier, Hussar, Marlborough Miniatures, PNF Figurines, Tommy Atkins and Victory Parade are but a few of this new breed of manufacturers proudly turning out ever-increasing armies for our enjoyment and appreciation today.

War Periods

Napoleonic
Crimean War
Colonial & Empire
Imperial India
American Civil War
French Foreign Legion
World War 1
18^th Century
19^th Century
20^th Century

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