Eight pieces, three different sets. All unknown. (1 Viewer)
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theBaron
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Welcome to the forum!
The doughboys in your first photo were made by Grey Iron, of Mount Joy, PA. As the name suggests, they made their figures in cast iron. These are from various sets in what Grey Iron sold as their "Greyklip Armies."
The second photo is of a flat, the original style of toy soldier, cast using molds made by carving the figure into two pieces of slate. Your figure depicts a French infantryman of the mid- to late nineteenth century. It's probably German, though there were flats made elsewhere in Europe. But it was and remains a native style in Germany, where it arose.
The ships were most likely made with homecasting molds, that is, molds that were made for hobbyists to buy and then to cast their own toy soldiers at home. They may be from molds made by Junior Caster, back in the Twenties and Thirties, but the molds could also have been German in origin, from about the same time.
Hope that helps!
Prost!
Brad
The doughboys in your first photo were made by Grey Iron, of Mount Joy, PA. As the name suggests, they made their figures in cast iron. These are from various sets in what Grey Iron sold as their "Greyklip Armies."
The second photo is of a flat, the original style of toy soldier, cast using molds made by carving the figure into two pieces of slate. Your figure depicts a French infantryman of the mid- to late nineteenth century. It's probably German, though there were flats made elsewhere in Europe. But it was and remains a native style in Germany, where it arose.
The ships were most likely made with homecasting molds, that is, molds that were made for hobbyists to buy and then to cast their own toy soldiers at home. They may be from molds made by Junior Caster, back in the Twenties and Thirties, but the molds could also have been German in origin, from about the same time.
Hope that helps!
Prost!
Brad
Last edited:
Thanks! Though I've been a member almost three years...
Local things, cool! That makes them much more interesting. ebay is suggesting that these Greyklip Armies have almost no value but other sites I'm seeing them sell for fifteen dollars a pair. Is there a price guide? A rule of thumb for pricing? Maybe a website dedicated to them?
Any idea why the gun is so long? The gun is almost as long as he is tall.
I've also remember reading that people way back when would buy retail toys and make their own molds for themselves, too.
It does, and you did!
theBaron
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As far as prices go for Grey Iron, what you see on eBay is probably closer to the mark. There aren't a lot of Grey Iron collectors, for one thing. And the toy soldiers themselves are usually in a very worn condition, by the time someone puts them up for sale. You could try asking $15 a pair, but I'd be surprised if they sell at that price.
The patterns, as Grey Iron referred to its molds, still exist, too, though I don't think any have been cast in years. The patterns are sand casting molds, not dies like everyone else uses. The company also made other items, like cooking pans and souvenir items.
As for the flat and the length of his rifle, that has to do more with the fact that it's more of a stylized figure than a literal depiction. If we can identify the maker, we'd probably find that all of his catalog shows a similar style in the sculpting. Eventually, flat makers strove for and achieved a natural and historical accuracy in their sculpting, and that's the standard today, if you look at current figures.
Prost!
Brad
The patterns, as Grey Iron referred to its molds, still exist, too, though I don't think any have been cast in years. The patterns are sand casting molds, not dies like everyone else uses. The company also made other items, like cooking pans and souvenir items.
As for the flat and the length of his rifle, that has to do more with the fact that it's more of a stylized figure than a literal depiction. If we can identify the maker, we'd probably find that all of his catalog shows a similar style in the sculpting. Eventually, flat makers strove for and achieved a natural and historical accuracy in their sculpting, and that's the standard today, if you look at current figures.
Prost!
Brad
DMNamiot
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Hi
If you can post a photo of the base of the french figure I might be able to tell you for sure who made it. It looks like a Heinrichson figure to me but there are always clues if you look at the bases and underside as well since some of the companies marked them. As for value, sorry to say that in that condition about a dollar is the most you will get. The boats arent my thing but if you want to get rid of them sell them in a lot for a couple of bucks.
Dave
If you can post a photo of the base of the french figure I might be able to tell you for sure who made it. It looks like a Heinrichson figure to me but there are always clues if you look at the bases and underside as well since some of the companies marked them. As for value, sorry to say that in that condition about a dollar is the most you will get. The boats arent my thing but if you want to get rid of them sell them in a lot for a couple of bucks.
Dave
Here's four pics of the piece, two from the top, with and without flash, two of the bottom, with and without flash. There's no markings that I can make out.
DMNamiot
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Its a Heinrichson for sure. They had one base that had the curved or fluted front of the base which yours has even though it is dinged and worn. However a little wear is normal for a figure made before the 2nd World War. If you had the complete set you could get more money but in this condition I stand by my estimate of a dollar for the figure.
Hope this helps you
Dave
Hope this helps you
Dave
It does, thanks!
We're friends with the owner of a local antique mall, that's known for true, quality, antiques. We'll put it in there with a sign that reads "free, if you can accurately tell us who made it" and leave our email address with it.
This way, it'll go to someone who can appreciate it. I think that's better than selling it for a dollar.