Collecting Toy Soldiers in Germany (1 Viewer)

[Currahee Chris]

Hey guys:

I first got into toy soldier collecting as a wee lad living in Nuremburg Germany, when my dad was stationed there 1979-82. I collected Britains Deetail figures and various other plastic figures I could get my grubby little army brat hands on.

I do remember my dad giving me a strong lecture about not giving the "seig Heil" to members of the German populace (which, of course, being the smart aleck army brat I was, I promptly did). He explained to me that things 3rd Reich were off limits and in fact, quite illegal.

Has this changed over there in the 30 years since I left? I have heard various conversations about German military personnel buying KC toy soldiers and, I think it was Damian, who told me that one of his vendors down in SA said, that the LAH Series were a big seller with the German Sailors who took port there.

How about Japan?? I know Hirohito is taboo over there, which is why, based on my best recollection, I don't think I have ever seen a Hirohito personality figure (like we have with Adolph).

Just curious what direction this has gone.

I know Ebay has some policies on Nazi items.

Thanks,
CC

 

[maloyalo]

I was stationed there 82-87 & have been back a few times since. I only remember Elastolin plastic & Britains deetail mainly in stores, but once and a while came upon little stashes of older Timpo, or Plasty, etc. My favorite finds were a few 54mm Elastolin swoppet knights and some figures that are like vikings, but may be Saxons. The primary colors they used is detracting though. But things seemed to dry up in stores by the end of the 80's. There have been little resurgences since, like Preiser, and most recently the 80mm Schleich stuff (that was all I could find on my last trip in 2004).

My read on Germany in general though (but I knew it most in the 80's), was they did not go much for war toys. There are different reasons perhaps why. Some I thought I saw was an anti-war attitude in young people & a preference not to casually bring up the subject of war by older people. It was a catacylsmic event there, probably beyond our comprehension. Buildings look so picturesque and old today, but are nearly all just carefully rebuilds based on old photos & drawings, etc. I have made a few german friends, over the years, with interest in toy soldiers, but we have always talked about other periods, and never WWII. Perhaps it is changing, I do not know. Certainly however no Nazi symbols or models were ever in evidence, and I thought it was in fact law there, that they could not be displayed publically, except perhaps in a Museum.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Yeah- I remember my dad taking me to Pinder and Merrill barracks- there were a lot of the buildings that were damaged (which, of course, US Military personnel were assigned to) from WW2.

I was just thinking too- and Ron sent me one of these- I VIVIDLY remember buying the Rocco plastic model sets- the orange box models. I remember those too- but I don't recall any Tigers or what not.

We took seveal trips to Holland and I would buy "dimestore variety packs" which had pretty cheap-o shermans, tigers, etc in there.

 

[kilted vampire]

Germany seems to have a variety of figures as they have always had. Many sizes from tiny 6mm to everything above . Yes I did say 6mm. I have pictures of collections with these figures. A lot of them are flats painted and unpainted. The paited ones are fantastic. The 15 mm and 30 mm are very cool and have to be seen to be believed. The painting on these border on works of art which they really are. Then of course the semi round and full round. Whilst the taboos still exist all types and periods are represented. Casting your own figures is still considered to be a hobby there. You should see their tin/ Zinn figurines and ornamnets

http://www.zinnfigur.com/figure/DE_Figure_Paint_Set.asp

http://zinn-miniaturen.de/index.php?cPath=21_6_12&XTCsid=c1f0310c7f84d4b1eedf8eadde405ce4

 

[maloyalo]

I know the Rocco vehicles (my son has some) but do not remember them there. Probably because I wasn't interested in those myself. I think they have been around quite a while.

The shear ammount of bases & barracks (caserns) there was enormous in the 80's, but most are closed now. It was interesting to visit the installations of other countries and talking with the personnel, & I remember visiting German, Canadian and French ones. It was pretty cool to see French armored regiments still with names like the 5th Cuiraissiers & Reine Dragoons.

Yes, they have a long tradition with flats & I remember seeing little home casting kits at the local German general store along with food & clothing(Kaufhaus). The high quality painting and the large numbers seem to be the draw of them, but I like flats none at all. I do not like the two-dimensional aspect & it frankly seems a waste of art to me. But that is purely personnel taste, and others may think them marvelous soldiers. One great advantage they do have however, is that they can be easily stored, in relatively small space, and that is a quality I have come to value more with time.

 

[kilted vampire]

Yes, they have a long tradition with flats & I remember seeing little home casting kits at the local German general store along with food & clothing(Kaufhaus). The high quality painting and the large numbers seem to be the draw of them, but I like flats none at all. I do not like the two-dimensional aspect & it frankly seems a waste of art to me. But that is purely personnel taste, and others may think them marvelous soldiers. One great advantage they do have however, is that they can be easily stored, in relatively small space, and that is a quality I have come to value more with time.

Not only are they easy to store but the dioramas one can do with just a little space can be great. I have seen pictures that show an incredible range of subjects. The ships are something that I really enjoy. The prices are reasonable too. I just have hesitated to jump on that ship so to speak.