Metal Toy Solders

12 years ago

So I found these kind of randomly and was wondering if anyone had any info on them. I haven't found anything from googling around. I think the guy in the red hat might be Napoleon, not positive. They are very heavy and have no markings.

A nice fellow I emailed who runs a toy soldier blog seemed to think they were home made or at least hand painted. Does anyone know when they might have been made, if they're worth anything, how they were made (did they used to sell forms where kids could pour their own figures?), etc. Any info would be great, I found them in a box of used doorknobs and think they're pretty cool. Thanks!

http://s1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/ncooper18/?action=view&current=photo-1.jpg

http://s1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/ncooper18/?action=view&current=photo1-1.jpg

http://s1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/ncooper18/?action=view&current=photo2-2.jpg

http://s1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/ncooper18/?action=view&current=photo3-1.jpg

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Comments (5)

lindac
12 years ago

Frankly your pictures are so poor and blurry it's pretty well impossible to tell just what it is you have.

A few years back kids were into making lead soldiers.....they used old tire weights and melted them over some kind of a burner.....and often burned themselves and spilled molten lead.....my son did a bit of that!!
Can't tell a thing from your pictures about the quality of the painting or the detail fo the molds.

Here is a link that might be useful:
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
12 years ago
There is no mark whatsoever on the bottom? There are a lot of brands of lead toy soldiers; many made in England. Google "toy soldier forum", or "collectors", etc. I know there are some groups out there; they might be able to identify for you.
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calliope
12 years ago
Linda is right in that one could buy the kits to make lead soldiers, and they likely are lead. It became illegal to sell lead toys quite a few years ago, but the kits exist because the moulds can be used to cast it in materials other than lead. The party the OP originally mentioned, who is 'up' on these toys, is likely right that they are painted at home by an amateur. That may or may not mean they're not old, since some people repaint old things.

However, if there is no mark on them, then they may very well be cast at home. The lead soldiers have been around a very, very long time, so some are quite old and likely collectable. Some may be rather new. It would be hard to assess them by a picture even if one knew a lot about them, I'd suspect ..lacking any manufacturer's marks. Info abounds on them in the inet, as the second poster mentions and groups of people who do metal toys, etc.
lazy_gardens
12 years ago
You have Napoleon (the hand in the jacket it the clue) and probably two of his "old guard" although badly painted.

Chasseurs and grenadiers wore the bearskin hats like the one on the far right rear.

The one with the "purse" is Imperial Guard Light Cavalry.
newdawn1895
12 years ago
I haven't a clue but they look impressive, very impressive.

They would look gorgeous in a library below an antique map of France. With volumes of leather bound books every where.

You lucky girl!