Help with Napoleonic Lead Soldiers (1 Viewer)

[ddantzler64]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and this is my first but hopefully not last post. I built a lot of models and collected AirFix plastic soldiers when I was young and plan to get back into it now that I'm close to retirement.

My question is, I recently bought a large lot of British lead soldiers from an estate. The only mark I can find on some of them on the bas is "74". A search on here and Google has not yielded anything other than an eBay listing with no real information. Can someone tell me what maker this is, are they in fact lead or pewter, what vintage are they, and are they common or valuable?

Thanks in advance!
D.

 

[Warrior]

The figures in the front row in the first photo are 25mm Les Higgins British, the rear rows Minifigs 25mm, the figures in the second image are Minifigs 25mm, the figures in the front row in image #3 are Les Higgins 25mm, the figures in the rear are Minifigs 25mm figures.

These figures appeal to older wargamers, say aged 65 to 75, the majority of them are downsizing their collections or selling them off altogether.

The figures you have were popular in the 1970's, I recently picked up a bunch of Les Higgins British and French on Ebay for 2.00 each nicely painted.

 

[ddantzler64]

The figures in the front row in the first photo are 25mm Les Higgins British, the rear rows Minifigs 25mm, the figures in the second image are Minifigs 25mm, the figures in the front row in image #3 are Les Higgins 25mm, the figures in the rear are Minifigs 25mm figures.

These figures appeal to older wargamers, say aged 65 to 75, the majority of them are downsizing their collections or selling them off altogether.

The figures you have were popular in the 1970's, I recently picked up a bunch of Les Higgins British and French on Ebay for 2.00 each nicely painted.

Thank you so much Warrior for the quick, detailed response. I was also very impressed with the high level of detail on some of the figures.

 

[Warrior]

Thank you so much Warrior for the quick, detailed response. I was also very impressed with the high level of detail on some of the figures.

They are over 50 years old but have stood the test of time.

I collect 20mm metal figures, some 25mm too as older 25mm are small 25mm and work with my 20mm figures.

I've got Napoleonics, ACW, Franco Prussian War, First Sudan War and WWII, altogether about 50,000 painted figures.

 

[ddantzler64]

They are over 50 years old but have stood the test of time.

I collect 20mm metal figures, some 25mm too as older 25mm are small 25mm and work with my 20mm figures.

I've got Napoleonics, ACW, Franco Prussian War, First Sudan War and WWII, altogether about 50,000 painted figures.

50,000! Wow, that is impressive! I only have have about 600, lol!

 

[Warrior]

50,000! Wow, that is impressive! I only have have about 600, lol!

I've been collecting for about 40 years; started with plastics, sold them all and got into metal and haven't looked back.

 

[paxtoysoldier]

Those are lovely figures. The detail is great for the size and year they were made. 600 is no paltry number.
My advice is don't try to compete with George (Warrior). He's an expert collector and owner of Minutemen Toy Soldiers.
Most Treefrog Forum members collect 54-60mm figures currently, but there is always some interest in other beautiful figures and even wargaming figs. We have about 300 SAE 30mm guys. Old for wargamers but still nice. Don't eat the lead.
Welcome to the Forum and Happy Collecting,
Paddy