So - What am I up to at the moment?
First, a pic of my current project in progress. A RCMP Mounties Foot Band, that I have dated as "1930's. (because I wanted Sousaphones in my collection)
This group is nowhere near finished - I have gathered the ones closest to being finished and grouped them just for this pic. The band will eventually be 36 strong, marching in fives like the above pic.
I go along with James Opie's assertion, that toy soldiers look best when in large groups. They are not meant to be highly detailed - as this is the preserve of the military modeller - and the so-called connoisseur collector (never really understood that term?), as this obsession with detail can sometimes detract from their appeal. So, as a "toy boy" at heart, this is how they'll look.
Next, I am also making up a smaller British WW1 Drum & Fife band by Fusilier Miniatures - which I found as a result of finding and joining this forum (thanks Brad). It will eventually look like this
I have my first figure almost completed - and looks like this at present - but a bit more detail to finish yet.
So, on to our list of UK Maufacturers who sell castings. All prices shown for illustrative purposes only are latest known - and are for unpainted castings or kits.
This is not an exhaustive one by any means, and is as correct as I have been able to find over the past week or so. It is made up from my own findings - and as a result of information given by fellow forum members - details of whom can be found by going back through this thread. I have put them in alphabetical order - apologies in advance for any errors or ommissions.
Alma Figures. I found them on
www.forelornhope soldiers.com
Owned by fellow forum owner michael - Looks an impressive range of figures from the posts I have seen - and will definitely be having some of these myself at some stage. Guide prices (Only know them in Euros at present I'm afraid) . Foot figure €8, Flags €12.
Asset Miniatures. Owned and run by Colin and Anne Randall. UK based - with a small catalogue with very few pictures online. I have bought lots of these figures, so feature a lot in this post. More towards the model end of the market - but make up well as glossy toys. Standard basic foot figure price £4.25 , more for figures with more metal content.
ATS (Alexanders Toy Soldiers). Lovely online catalogue that I have just found (thanks trooper and others for this one). Prices of their lovely looking products are around half the listed painted prices shown. So, casting of a good foot figure is about £6.50. I will be a customer for at least one of the bands shown at this price.
BMSS - Have included these as catalogue is still online. More towards model end of the marjket, when available. Our own trooper informs that they are no longer selling products - but worth a look - in case they ever start up again. Therefore, no price guide given.
Dorset Soldiers. Extensive online catalogue available - more towards the toy end of the market. Lots of spare parts for repair and conversion. Very friendly and adaptable owner _Giles Brown. A favourite of mine for many purchases. Standard foot figures from £2.80.
John Eden Studios. Amnother Treefrog forum member - and home of Rose miniatures, amongst many others. Nice online catalogue features many old favourites. At the top model end of the market. To get prices you need to e-mail John (details of products and how to do this from online catalogue).
Fusilier Miniatures. Also home of Hussar and Tommy Atkins. Nice online catalogue and friendly people. Just bought my first set from them - and will be back for more. Model quality from my first purchase - see above. Price of my figure above £5. Good solid value - in my opinion.
Irregular Miniatures. Another solid provider of castings to paint yourself. Impressive range of sizes. Typical price of 54mm Napoleonic toy soldier £3.75
I have used these before - and will again. Some good stuff.
Langley Miniature Models. Excellent Toy Soldier range - started off this thread with my version of a band from these. Sold in sets - Standard set of 7 marching figures from £28.35, equates to just over £4 each. Very good value stuff.
Sarum Soldiers. Just re-entered the toy soldier market, owner Patrick Willis has a small range of toy soldier sets on tne market again. Online cataloge - typical price for set of 6 figures, £23.95 - so around £4 per figure. Nice toys.
Steadfast (R P World of Models). A new one on me this, but their catalogue of toy soldiers looks excellent online. Only painted prices shown - but am led to believe castings are half painted price. Average foot figure is painted £9, so £4.50 as a casting.
Tradition of London. Well known company that has been around a long time - and a favourite of many - including me. Often not the cheapest option - but a huge range available from their online catalogue. Typical prices for Toy range foot figure £6.95: Model foot figure £8.85. Some of their ranges are top model category figures with fine detailing and paint up extremely well.
Mountford Miniature. I find these best by typing in Derbyshire Metal Miniatures. A bit of a specialist nowadays, as they sold off much of their figures. Sme really nice castings available of artillery (with figures) so no guide price given but highly recommended for a look. I have my eye on one or two set here!
whitemetalmail.com Cheap and cheerful low priced toy soldiers - see above, from £1.25 plus postage. Have a look - difficult to believe prices.
trooper has given me two more names to look out for.
Yeomanary
Country Scenes
Both are apparently soon to come on line - and worth a look for castings. Given trooper's knowledge on the subject - keep an eye out for these two in future.
Well, that's about it from me at this point folks. Hope you have enjoyed the thread as much as I have. Thanks to all who contributed - and had a look. I have certainly learned a lot along the way - and enjoyed showing you some of my painted work. No - delete work - FUN
See ya johnnybach - oh yes this one's for my Fellow French Foreign Forces Fan across the pond - PJ.
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