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 **silier 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).
**silier 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 **ture.
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 - **N
See ya johnnybach - oh yes this one's for my Fellow French Foreign Forces Fan across the pond - PJ.
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