"Dimestore" Barclay & Manoils 1930's to 1950 (1 Viewer)

[Iron Brigade]

Since late 1991 I became an avid collector of modern made 1:32 & also 1:30 scale metal miniatures. However, as a young boy in circa 1949 to 1953 I remember very well playing with so called "Dime Store" (5 & 10 cent stores) figures that were purchased by an 15 year older brother for me as well as playing with the Barclays & one or two Grey Iron figures that this brother and another 13 years older brother played with when they were kids in the 1930's.

I still have the #6 - 1930's era Barclay's that my brothers played with as well as #2 Manoil's & #7 Barclay's from the circa 1949-1953 period that were purchased for me as a young boy. In more recent years I purchased #6 old 1930's Barclay's at the Old Toy Soldier Show by Chicago or on eBay and an older cousin of mine gave me the Barclay "Typtist" figure with typewriter, the table was obtained as a reproduction from Eccles, Bros., Ltd of Burlington, Iowa. The two Manoil's & the #7 Barclay's purchased new for me in circa 1950 are displayed on the three shelves on the right side of the nine tiered wall display shelves shown on photo below. The "Bomb Blast" & US Army Recruitment poster were made by Eccles Bros., Ltd in more recent years.

Does anyone else at the Forum have any of these old glossy Barclay/Manoils in thier collections?

"Iron Brigade" / Gary

 

[Leadmen]

I collected Barclays, Manoils and Grey Iron. I enjoy the Dimestore figures. J

 

[Leadmen]

A few Artillery guys.

 

[Iron Brigade]

Hello "Leadmen":

Thanks for your photos! I see that we both have at lease about #3 of the same types. Back in late 1993 I sold off #5 post WW2 production Barclay figures on consignment via a local toy soldier store and got pretty good prices for them. #4 of the #5 figures sold in 1993 were duplicates & the 5th was not a duplicate but a figure I did not care for very much.

From 2000 to 2004 or so I purchased a bunch of reproductions made by Eccles Bros., Ltd to make up some assorted displays in wall shelves in the basement hallway. I also got some beat up old original Barclay and Manoils and repainted them with paint obtained from Eccles in Iowa. I also painted most of my original Barclay & Manoils as they looked so much better afterward as they had next to zero original paint on them. I also replaced the 1930's "Tin Hats" on the circa 1938 production Barclays that had lost their helmets from Eccles. Starting in 2005 I sold off very nearly all of the Barclay/Manoil reproductions by Eccles and some of the original figures that I got post 2000 after I decided to downsize my Dimestore figs. I will always keep the figures that I played with from back in early 1950's at a minimum!

"Iron Brigade"

 

[glossman]

Hi Gary,

Lovely display. I remember well your recollection to me of playing with these figures with your brothers many years back.

Childhood memories are priceless.....those were the good old days for each of us.

Best Wishes, Raymond.

 

[Iron Brigade]

Hi Gary,

Lovely display. I remember well your recollection to me of playing with these figures with your brothers many years back.

Childhood memories are priceless.....those were the good old days for each of us.

Best Wishes, Raymond.

Hello Raymond:

Yes, "Childhood memories are priceless" as you very well stated above. Let's indeed remember and cherish the good old days! But, "playing" with toy soldiers or modern military, etc miniatures of recent years as an older adult is very nice too. I have also enjoyed the friends I have made via the Treefrog Treasures Forum as well. I want to thank you for getting me to be active with the Treefrog Treasures Forum again back in 2009.

Best regards, Gary

 

[glossman]

Hello Raymond:

Yes, "Childhood memories are priceless" as you very well stated above. Let's indeed remember and cherish the good old days! But, "playing" with toy soldiers or modern military, etc miniatures of recent years as an older adult is very nice too. I have also enjoyed the friends I have made via the Treefrog Treasures Forum as well. I want to thank you for getting me to be active with the Treefrog Treasures Forum again back in 2009.

Best regards, Gary

Hi Gary,

Many thanks for the very kind reply. As I recall, you joined the Treefrog Forum in 2007 at least a year before I did. I gently suggested that you consider posting again as you have a splendid toy soldier collection to share. There was a point when I considered resigning over some issue I have no wish to remember. I owe it to your sage advice that I stayed on.

Best Wishes, Raymond.

 

[Iron Brigade]

Hi Gary,

Many thanks for the very kind reply. As I recall, you joined the Treefrog Forum in 2007 at least a year before I did. I gently suggested that you consider posting again as you have a splendid toy soldier collection to share. There was a point when I considered resigning over some issue I have no wish to remember. I owe it to your sage advice that I stayed on.

Best Wishes, Raymond.

Dear Raymond:

Yes, I joined the Treefrog Treasures Forum in July 2007. Before July 2007 I did not know there was a Treefrog Forum until a member of the Forum sent me an inquiry relative to one of my then current K&C eBay auction sales who noted that assorted members at the Forum were "discussing" my eBay sale and the "big defect" relative to the item I was selling. The so called defect was that the antenna of Rommel's Greif 1/2 track was pulled up out of normal position. I thought the guy from the Forum was crazy, but then I looked over the set and the set box's photos I indeed saw that he was correct. However, as the antenna was made of soft lead it was so very easy to just push it back into it's proper position. It apparently got out of place when I took it out of the set box & I never noticed. So I jointed the Forum for the sole purpose to advise all the Forum members who said things like, "I like to see how this seller will get this set back into it's set box", that they were making a big deal about nothing! I sold the item noted above for a good price in any case at the end of the auction period in July 2007.

I really thought that "these people" at the Forum really had "way too much time on there hands" and soon after I refuted all or most of the negative comments about my K&C eBay sale in July 2007 I wrote to Shannon to terminate my membership at the Forum. However, she just placed me into "inactive status" and thus when you got me to "rejoin" the Forum in 2009 Shannon still had my old User ID on file as before ("Iron Brigade") and she gave me a new pass word to be fully active again. Since I became a "real" member of the Forum in about mid 2009 I have really enjoyed posting photos of my displays as well as seeing other members photos of their displays.

Yes, I remember the situation you refer to relative your having a "problem" with the Forum back in 2009 or 2010. Ah, it is best to not take things too personal. Nearly a year ago I was watching an old 1937 Laurel & Hardy (L&H) movie "Way Out West" in which the town sheriff told L&H to "get out of town by sundown or else" as he pulled out his revolver! As the mad sheriff walks away Stanley inappropriately waves & says "goodbye" loudly to the sheriff, to which Oliver responds to Stanley by saying "leave well enough alone". It would seem that this prior statement by Oliver may actually be good advice at times. In any case, I am glad that I became a real member of the Forum back in 2009 thanks to you.

Best regards, Gary

 

[glossman]

Dear Raymond:

.......................Ah, it is best to not take things too personal. Nearly a year ago I was watching an old 1937 Laurel & Hardy (L&H) movie "Way Out West" in which the town sheriff told L&H to "get out of town by sundown or else" as he pulled out his revolver! As the mad sheriff walks away Stanley inappropriately waves & says "goodbye" loudly to the sheriff, to which Oliver responds to Stanley by saying "leave well enough alone". It would seem that this prior statement by Oliver may actually be good advice at times. In any case, I am glad that I became a real member of the Forum back in 2009 thanks to you.

Best regards, Gary

Hello Gary,

Oliver sure had some good advice for Stanley....."leave well enough alone"

I fully agree with you that it is best not to take things too personally and be oversensitive in life. It is not really worth getting worked up over some things at the risk of spoiling good friendships.

I have been very fortunate to have learnt much about the hobby from our friendship, both on and off the forum. My regret is not having played my part in preserving it and for that I apologise profusely to both you and Karen.

Best Wishes, Raymond.

 

[johnnybach]

Many thanks to both of you guys for a rare treat on this side of the pond, in showing us parts of your collections - as I have only ever seen pictures of these figures over here. If I was an American, I certainly would collect them - as they do look such fun things to collect - and are part of your American heritage.

Thanks again - and very glad you "stayed in"^&grin johnnybach

 

[Iron Brigade]

Many thanks to both of you guys for a rare treat on this side of the pond, in showing us parts of your collections - as I have only ever seen pictures of these figures over here. If I was an American, I certainly would collect them - as they do look such fun things to collect - and are part of your American heritage.

Thanks again - and very glad you "stayed in"^&grin johnnybach

Hello "Johnnybach"":

Thanks for your comments posted to my small new Thread on the USA made "Dimestore" Barclay & Manoils. Both Barclay and Manoil started making toy soldiers in circa 1935 with Manoil going out of business by 1959 and Barclay going out of business in 1971. Yes, these two main USA toy soldier makers are a major part of American toy soldier history. While they were not as well painted as the old pre-1966 W. Britains they were very sturdy and came in a great many poses. Between the two toy soldier makers noted above millions of figures were made over the years they were in business. Of course these companies converted over to assorted war production items during WW2.

Cheers! "Iron Brigade"

 

[The Lt.]

Nice seeing you sharing your dime store figures with us John and thanks for doing so..........Joe

 

[Currahee Chris]

Hello Iron Brigade-

thanks for sharing your collection. I do enjoy looking at all those older figure sets. I do think they really are excellent. Here in Central Pa, there are guys selling these things at flea markets and all the other assorted little roadside commerce endeavors we still entertain I've always thought about getting into them just dont want to get taken. I check on ebay and it looks like the prices are comparable at the flea and antique markets.

The flags are really nice.

 

[Bottlesoldier]

G'day guys, Well thanks to a mate of mine in Canada a few years ago, I got hooked on these little wonders. I have started a collection along the medical line in WW1, with wounded, Doctors and Nurses and a few guards.I have 15 at the mo, and one in Layway. The recent buy, is the rare wounded soldier and nurse combination. These cop a big price if you're not carefull. There is a company "Barclay" that has started up in the US where they make all the old Barclay, Manoil and Grey Iron figures, and paint them in less traditional colours. However they don't sell international or as castings. I believe they use old castings to make the moulds, as the old molds were deleted. I do repaint the wornout ones, and keep the good nick ones. Thanks for the viewing of yours, and the interesting conversation. I have a little saying ( not my doing though ). {sm2}"If one sits on the river bank long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float past " Rather gentle revenge, where you don't have to do a thing. Cheers guys, Johno.

 

[Iron Brigade]

G'day guys, Well thanks to a mate of mine in Canada a few years ago, I got hooked on these little wonders. I have started a collection along the medical line in WW1, with wounded, Doctors and Nurses and a few guards.I have 15 at the mo, and one in Layway. The recent buy, is the rare wounded soldier and nurse combination. These cop a big price if you're not carefull. There is a company "Barclay" that has started up in the US where they make all the old Barclay, Manoil and Grey Iron figures, and paint them in less traditional colours. However they don't sell international or as castings. I believe they use old castings to make the moulds, as the old molds were deleted. I do repaint the wornout ones, and keep the good nick ones. Thanks for the viewing of yours, and the interesting conversation. I have a little saying ( not my doing though ). {sm2}"If one sits on the river bank long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float past " Rather gentle revenge, where you don't have to do a thing. Cheers guys, Johno.

G'day to you as well mate:

Thanks for your interest and comments!! There is or was a Husband & wife team who produced reproductions of Barclay & Manoil called Eccles Brothers, Ltd of Burlington, Iowa, USA and perhaps there is still a man out in Eastern USA who also makes reproductions. I am not familiar with any new "Barclay" reproduction company.

Cheers! "Iron Brigade"

 

[Bottlesoldier]

G'day to you as well mate:

Thanks for your interest and comments!! There is or was a Husband & wife team who produced reproductions of Barclay & Manoil called Eccles Brothers, Ltd of Burlington, Iowa, USA and perhaps there is still a man out in Eastern USA who also makes reproductions. I am not familiar with any new "Barclay" reproduction company.

Cheers! "Iron Brigade"

G'day Iron Brigade, The company is called "The Barclay Company Homepage". If you google that it comes up with the page. It may even be the guy in the East you're speaking of. I was a little disappionted on contacting them when they said that they don't sell castings of overseas. Never mind. Hope this helps mate. Cheers, Johno.

 

[johnnybach]

G'day Iron Brigade, The company is called "The Barclay Company Homepage". If you google that it comes up with the page. It may even be the guy in the East you're speaking of. I was a little disappionted on contacting them when they said that they don't sell castings of overseas. Never mind. Hope this helps mate. Cheers, Johno.

Hi to both Iron Brigade and Bottlesoldier - I put into Google, www.barclaycompany.com and then the home page comes up. Then click on Dimestore Doughboys in the column on left of page - and you get taken straight to (currently) 98 reproduction figures of old Barclay pieces. This number may vary - according to how many they currently have in stock.

Nice to look at - even though us poor "foreigners" ain't apparently allowed to touch! Heres one I spotted earlier - Colours may not be quite right - but a lick of paint here and there might cure that - as long as you're a Good Old Boy, that is! Thanks for the tip lads, johnnybach

 

[Currahee Chris]

I just did a ebay search- Ben Franklin is sitting on there with no bids at $80.....they covered a lot of different themes and eras....my favorites are the guys running around and shooting with pro ("gas") masks on- looks a whole lot more fun to do that in 1:32nd scale than 1:1 scale!! {sm4}

Don't mean to put anyone on the spot but does anyone remember buying these guys in the stores??? Curious as to what they looked like all packaged up.

 

[wadepat]

I just did a ebay search- Ben Franklin is sitting on there with no bids at $80.....they covered a lot of different themes and eras....my favorites are the guys running around and shooting with pro ("gas") masks on- looks a whole lot more fun to do that in 1:32nd scale than 1:1 scale!! {sm4}

Don't mean to put anyone on the spot but does anyone remember buying these guys in the stores??? Curious as to what they looked like all packaged up.

Hi Chris,

Oh, yes, I remember buying dimestore figures in the local dimestore. It was always fun to do so. In my instance, I never saw any of the figures packaged in boxes. Rather, they were displayed in groups on a counter and you just picked the individual pieces you wanted. You paid for them with your hard earned allowance and the salesclerk placed them in a paper bag for you to carry home.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Currahee Chris]

Good Morning Pat!!

Thank you for that story....would probably make most collectors cringe these days buying figures without a box. Tell us, do you still have any of those troopers you bought yesteryear or are they reformed in another collectors home these days??