Is this a Lost Britains Grail? Set 1613 - UNTOUCHED since 1938? Most perfect factory-ties I've ever seen! Please help! (3 Viewers)

[croscorpion]

Hi everyone,
I'm a new member and I'm looking for some expert advice on a potential purchase. I just stumbled upon something on Catawiki that literally stopped me in my tracks.
I’m looking at what appears to be a Britains Set No. 1613 from the late 30s. I’ve seen many sets, but I’ve NEVER seen factory-ties this clean. I’ve attached some photos and I’m losing my mind over the stringing. Look at how the fibers are integrated with the paint on the officer’s neck – no double holes on the back of the card, no fraying, just pure 1938 factory work.
The description says it’s missing the outer lid, but could this really be 100% factory original despite that? What do the experts here think about the authenticity of these ties? I'm seriously considering bidding on this one but I'm afraid of overpaying, so I wanted to share these detail shots with the community first.
Is this as much of a "Grail" as it looks to me? Please help me decide if this is worth the investment!
Thanks in advance for any insights.

 

[croscorpion]

@Andanna thanks for the like! I'd love to hear your expert opinion on this. Have you ever seen a Set 1613 with ties in this condition? To me, they look like they haven't moved an inch since the day they were tied in London.

 

[croscorpion]

I just noticed another thing - the paint on the gas masks is slightly matte compared to the gloss on the uniforms. Was this common for the 1613 series?

 

[theBaron]

Are you sure those are Britains? They look more like half-round toy soldiers cast from Schneider molds. WWI French infantry, looking at the headgear. Homecasters also used those molds to make US Civil War figures.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Obee]

Are you sure those are Britains? They look more like half-round toy soldiers cast from Schneider molds. WWI French infantry, looking at the headgear. Homecasters also used those molds to make US Civil War figures.

Prost!
Brad

Brad,

I have to agree with you, Britains are round figures, not semi-flat like these.

I think someone has described them wrongly as Briatins.

John

 

[croscorpion]

Hi and thanks for the incredibly detailed feedback, @theBaron and @Obee - honestly want to thank you all for the insights. As a new member, this kind of debate making my decision to buy this set lot harder!
I’ve been staring at those 'semi-flat' comments and, I have to admit, it really worried me. I almost walked away. But then I went back and did a deep dive into every single high-res photo posted on auction, and I found something that gave me goosebumps.
Please, take a look at this macro shot of the base. To my eyes, that rectangular notch on the edge looks like the classic 'smoking gun' of the Britains hollow-casting process from the late 30s. It’s that raw, honest mark of how they poured out the lead—something you just don't see on those Schneider or solid-cast figures.
Seeing that, combined with those beautiful, loose factory ties that haven't been 'suffocated' by a restorer’s paint, makes me feel like I’m looking at a true time capsule.
What do you make of this specific mark? To me, it looks like a game-changer for the identification, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks in advance