Fylde (4 Viewers)

[John Tremelling]

I have just received a decrepit lot of 12 toy soldiers from Ebay, sold incorrectly as Britains, but marked FYLDE Co MFG. CO. ENGLAND on the base. An immediate search online and in my modest library revealed nothing. Having just joined this Forum with such research in mind has anyone ever heard of them?

Thanks,

John T

 

[theBaron]

Hi, John, I'll check O'Brien's "Collecting Toy Soldiers" when I get home tonight and see if he has any info, also check Garratt's "World Encyclopedia". It's a good resource for older toy soldiers, anything up to around 1984 or 85.

Prost!
Brad

 

[John Tremelling]

Thanks Brad,

I have just found a photgraph of a FYLDE 'cowboy' figure in Norman Joplin's book TOY SOLDIERS. The cowboy figure was alledgedly made in 1951, and one line of text only stating that the Company was swallowed up by Johillco. Any more information gratefully received.

John T

 

[4th Hussar]

I found a reference to Flyde and company of Blackpool in Peter Johnson's book, Toy Armies. They are referred to as an Interwar company that merged with Cherilea in 1950.

 

[John Tremelling]

Thanks 4th.

John T

 

[theBaron]

Hi, John, sorry for the delay!

Garratt confirms what 4th Hussar found. He has this pithy entry in his "World Encyclopedia of Model Soldiers"

"Fylde Manufacturing Co, Blackpool (post-1945-50), Manufacturer of poor Westerners (riders detachable), British Infantry (mainly Grenadier Guards). Absorbed by Cherilea c.1950"" (Garratt, op. cit., p. 64)​

I imagine that their output was relatively low, so even if they're worn, your find could considered pretty rare. Once you can get some pictures posted, I think it would be interesting to see them.

Prost!
Brad

 

[John Tremelling]

Thanks Brad, I shall test my PC skills and try to post photographs. Mine are Guards and Highlanders. I do not know who sculpted them, but those marching at slope arms are European or US style, i.e. rifles at right angle to the shoulder rather than the correct, British style of flat on the shoulder. Other than that, for childrens’ toys they are not too bad a casting. You will note that the rifle on the baseless Guardsman is complete, I shall therefore seek out the original sculptor, get him to cast four new arms, and fit them to the marching figures with broken rifles. The Pipers are interesting in that the painting vaguely represent 3 different Regiments, Scots Guards, Gordon Highlanders and Argylls’, if that was the intent then quite a good variety for their time. Unless they are rare and valuable, I shall repaint them, but to the original style and standard.

Regards,

John T

 

[John Tremelling]

I can upload the photographs, but they do not appear in the messages. What am I doing wrong?

 

[John Tremelling]

Seems to be working now?

 

[John Tremelling]

I do not seem to be able to upload any more so for the time I shall quit whilst I am ahead.

John T

 

[theBaron]

Thanks for sharing the photo, John! As for repairs, Britain's parts might work, too. There are a number of dealers who sell replacement/repair parts on behalf of Britain's, for example, in my area, London Bridge Collector's Toys.

If you do repair and repaint, I'll love to see your work, too.

Prost!
Brad

 

[John Tremelling]

The only Britains arms at the slope which I have seen Brad have the rifle British fashion. Whilst it sticks in my craw a little I shall restore these to their original condition, with US style slope arms. I do believe that it is called something diffent in the US as well, am I correct? Shouldered arms?. As I said, I have the matter in hand and shall get the original sculptor to copy arms for me, thus not breaching any copyright. I shall even be able to supply the RTV 101 for him.

Thanks for your input,

John T