anybody know about this (1 Viewer)

[Bruce Berry]

Hi; I'm new here. I'm not really a collector- I think I would be if I could find more of these. My question is; does anyone know about this one. He's 5 inches long, I think he's bronze, too hard for tin, pewter, or spelter. He has writing on his coat tail that I can't read. I think the photos loaded. Thanks for looking.
Bruce

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Bruce

Can you take a close up photo of the writing it looks like it could be Japanese script but I am not totally sure because it’s unclear to me.

Dave

 

[theBaron]

Hi Bruce

Can you take a close up photo of the writing it looks like it could be Japanese script but I am not totally sure because it’s unclear to me.

Dave

That makes sense, Dave-he looks like a Japanese soldier from 1900 through 1918. My guess is that this is a commemorative piece or souvenir, or a sculpture, not a toy as such.

From the area on the rifle stock where there has been abrasion, it does look like bronze, though hardness is not necessary an indication. Tin is hard, too, and that's why it's used to make bronze. It imparts its hardness to the alloy. Pewter is tin and lead, generally, the lead imparting its softness or malleability to the alloy. But the patina, too, suggest a copper alloy to me, like bronze.

Prost!
Brad

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Brad

I was also thinking is a copper alloy as well and I believe you are correct about the uniform and soldier type also. If he can post a close up of the writing we should be able to translate it.

Dave

 

[Bruce Berry]

Hi, thanks for the replies. These are the best I could do with my camera. Not so good. I will try to copy it and scan it this evening. thanks again
Bruce

 

[Bruce Berry]

here are copies I tried. I made 2 copies a few hours apart. these are copied from a small imperfect casting, and not printing. also I'm not very artistic. Thanks again
Bruce

 

[theBaron]

Definitely Japanese.

 

[DMNamiot]

I have a friend from Japan and if I can copy them I will see if she can translate them. Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi guys

My friend says it appears to say registered or established with one symbol meaning the number 9 the others weren’t totally clear. So I think it’s a statement saying registered or trademarked and a date of I would guess 1905 or there abouts, much like Britains put on their hollow casts of the period. I can’t say what company made it but it’s a very cool find.

Hope this helps a bit

Dave

 

[Bruce Berry]

Thanks for the help folks. It cleared up alot. For some reason I had always leaned towards it being Chinese but Japanese makes more sense. Thanks again
Bruce