Identification of Flat (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

I was recently given this 1.5 inch flat figure of a bugler. At first I thought it was a RCMP figure because of the red tunic and blue breeches but he is also wearing a WWI style khaki metal helmet, khaki ammo belt and khaki puttees. Perhaps it was just made as a generic toy soldier?

I am curious if anyone has run across this figure or any like it and where, when, and by whom might it have been made?

Thanks,

Randy

 

[PolarBear]

Note: There are no markings on the base.

 

[4th Hussar]

Looks homecast to me

 

[theBaron]

I agree, definitely homecast, and my first thought is to an American mold from the 30's or 40's, such as Home Foundry or Junior Caster (Rappaport Bros./Chicago). Junior Caster started with copies of Schneider forms, then branched out into original designs. Home Foundry had their own designs from their beginning.

Looking now in the chapter on homecasts in my copy of O'Brien, your bugler looks very much like a picture of a Home Foundry casting (O'Brien, "Collecting American-Made Toy Soldiers", p. 607, bottom). The shape is a match, in my opinion. The figure was probably one of three in a single mold; my guess is that the others were perhaps a doughboy with his rifle at the slope, and possibly a flag-bearer or an officer with his sword drawn and at the carry (if I'm using the right term for that position--held in the right hand, blade parallel to the extended arm).

Hope that helps, prosit!
Brad

 

[PolarBear]

Thank you Hussar & Brad

It all sounds logical to me.

In this case the color scheme would likely have varied and so the red-blue Mountie-like look was the personal choice of the original owner.

The casting was probably intended to be all khaki/olive drab to reflect American uniforms of the WWI/pre WWII era. The 3 figure set makes sense.

My figure was picked up in an old toy shop in Southern, California

Randy

 

[PolarBear]

I just found this online--these figures look like they would stylistically go with my bugler

Vintage Home Foundry, Toy Soldier, Lead WWI Casting Mold

This listing is for a vintage/antique 1920's Home Foundry toy soldier lead WWI casting mold. It is marked Home Foundry 2933 Madison St, Chicago ILL, U.S.A. The mold set includes two pieces that mate together and features three soldiers. One soldier is advancing with a bayoneted rifle at the waist, the second is a machine gunner manning a tripod-mounted machine gun and the last is taking a shot with his rifle. The soldiers are attired in WWI equipment.

Molds measure 5 inches wide and 2 3/8 inches tall. There are wood handles that thread to the back of the molds. They are made of cast heavy metal. They are in very good condition with no damage.

The mold set was a premium give away from the NRA.

 

[PolarBear]

Below is another online image


Here is a link to a related article

http://www.alloyavenue.com/vb/showthread.php?4099-Home-Foundry-Toy-Set

 

[johnnybach]

Take a look at the central figure in this set of three figures from a "Home Foundry" mould.

Is this the figure - albeit with a different Tin Hat head? Maybe someone was playing about with a mould - or cleverly transplanted a different head - and then painted him up differently? johnnybach

 

[4th Hussar]

Take a look at the central figure in this set of three figures from a "Home Foundry" mould.

Is this the figure - albeit with a different Tin Hat head? Maybe someone was playing about with a mould - or cleverly transplanted a different head - and then painted him up differently? johnnybach

The first two look like swabbies with leggings, not sure about #3

 

[theBaron]

Definitely Home Foundry, though not a modification of a casting, but a casting straight from the mold. Randy, the one you've shown is just one of dozens of molds that they produced. They also produced non-military subjects, such as a Dick Tracy mold, cowboys, and I think they also produced the prized Buck Rogers molds that surface from time to time. I also recall a mold entitled, "South of the Border", depicting a sombrero-wearing figure, a dancing senorita and a guitar player. John, the figures you've shown are from a similar mold, but to cast sailors instead of doughboys.

The other firm, the Rappaport Bros' Junior Caster, survives to this day, in the form of the company Castings in Washington state. They now sell home casting molds from various sources, covering a wide range of subjects.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Obee]

I have found images of the Home Foundry Catalog and the figure looks like its from C31?

on this website http://www.concentric.net/~richcamp/toymolds.htm

Its really good for identification for many makers.

John

 

[theBaron]

Very cool find, John, that's exactly the mold! Thanks for sharing that pic and the link!

Prost!
Brad

 

[PolarBear]

Thanks John. That surely is the set it is from. I love the international teamwork that goes on here to help fellow collectors out.
Who needs Sherlock Holmes with you guys on the forum:smile2: