Kingcast Bicycle Set ?? (1 Viewer)

[uncled]

I recently purchased online a nice (unboxed) Bicycle set with a sgt. on a tricycle and three troopers on bikes. They wear blue-gray unis with service caps and red facings. Facial details include eyebrows and full sweeping mustaches. I have the Marktime Middlesex Volunteers set boxed, so they are definitely NOT MT.
I have 5 Kingcast sets all boxed, but not sure if KC ever made bicycle troops...sorry, don't have a camera to show a pic.

Thanks for any input from our members. They are beautifully done and seem to be rare.

 

[Iron Brigade]

I recently purchased online a nice (unboxed) Bicycle set with a sgt. on a tricycle and three troopers on bikes. They wear blue-gray unis with service caps and red facings. Facial details include eyebrows and full sweeping mustaches. I have the Marktime Middlesex Volunteers set boxed, so they are definitely NOT MT.
I have 5 Kingcast sets all boxed, but not sure if KC ever made bicycle troops...sorry, don't have a camera to show a pic.

Thanks for any input from our members. They are beautifully done and seem to be rare.

Dear Dave:

I started collecting & displaying toy soldiers & non-military metal miniatures on 6 December 1991, just a few days away from 20 years! I now only have two Kingcast, Ltd sets, namely set# BI-121 of a British Blackwatch Highlander circa 1880's Gatling Gun Crew with two elephants in India, plus a Limited Edition set KLE-1 of "Saving the Colours at Isandhlawana". I did have some other Kingcast sets but sold them on eBay in past years. I remember that "Kingcast, Ltd" went out of business in 1994, however, the owner by the name of Peter Cowen did go on to make other kinds sets I believe. The owner of local Toy Soldier Shoppe, Bill Schommer, had put out an annual catalog of all the manufacturers he sold. But I only kept the one for 1999, last year Bill Schommer was in business in Wisconsin. There is of course nothing on Kingcast in this catalog. I know that Kingcast, Ltd was well noted for very unusual sets such as the not well known rebellion in western Canada in the 1880's and a lot of non cambat scenes such as and Indian Army Stable set showing troops brushing a horse, carrying a saddle, speading hay, etc which I had for a time. After 1994 when Kingcast went out of business I then wished I had perhaps gotten some more of these sets. The Kingcast figures are very much like the old pre 1966 W. Britain figures in looks. I remember seeing in the local dealers catalog from the early 1990's a Kingcast set representing c. 1912 motorcylist in the SW of USA. I do not recall any bicycle troops by Kingcast, but there very well could have been! Sorry I can not help you more. By the way, the Kingcast figures I have with stands have the imprint of "KING CAST BRITISH MADE" under the stand.

"Iron Brigade" / Gary

 

[beating retreat]

I recently purchased online a nice (unboxed) Bicycle set with a sgt. on a tricycle and three troopers on bikes. They wear blue-gray unis with service caps and red facings. Facial details include eyebrows and full sweeping mustaches. I have the Marktime Middlesex Volunteers set boxed, so they are definitely NOT MT.
I have 5 Kingcast sets all boxed, but not sure if KC ever made bicycle troops...sorry, don't have a camera to show a pic.

Thanks for any input from our members. They are beautifully done and seem to be rare.

Hi

I have an old Kingcast catalogue, it only has black and white pics in but the set you refer to sounds like set BA31 listed as 26th Middlesex Volunteer Cyclists c1899. Officer on tricycle and 3 troopers on bicycles (fomerly set K43) priced at £44.00. I have 3 of the Middlesex cyclists sets produced by Marktime in my collection, Marktime have close similarities to Kingcast as Peter Cowan produced both ranges. I like bothe ranges and also have about 7 Kingcast Indian Army sets in my collection I had the look to win off ebay.

Regards John

 

[Arnhemjim]

I recently purchased online a nice (unboxed) Bicycle set with a sgt. on a tricycle and three troopers on bikes. They wear blue-gray unis with service caps and red facings. Facial details include eyebrows and full sweeping mustaches. I have the Marktime Middlesex Volunteers set boxed, so they are definitely NOT MT.
I have 5 Kingcast sets all boxed, but not sure if KC ever made bicycle troops...sorry, don't have a camera to show a pic.

Thanks for any input from our members. They are beautifully done and seem to be rare.

Hi Dave,
Have a similar Kingcast set in my collection. Purchased them boxed in 1985 for the then princely sum of $59.00 USD. They are Set L252 Royal Marine Cyclists circa 1899. These are in dark blue, service dress caps, with an officer on the tricycle (white belts, cartridge pouches, and shoulder strap, on light grey bicycles). So either you have a different regiment, or they could have possibly been re-painted. Also have the Marktime 13th Middlesex Volunteers (Cyclists). Hope this helps.
Regards,
Arnhemjim
Arizona Territory

 

[uncled]

Hi

I have an old Kingcast catalogue, it only has black and white pics in but the set you refer to sounds like set BA31 listed as 26th Middlesex Volunteer Cyclists c1899. Officer on tricycle and 3 troopers on bicycles (fomerly set K43) priced at £44.00. I have 3 of the Middlesex cyclists sets produced by Marktime in my collection, Marktime have close similarities to Kingcast as Peter Cowan produced both ranges. I like bothe ranges and also have about 7 Kingcast Indian Army sets in my collection I had the look to win off ebay.

Regards John

John, that BA31 KC set sounds like it's the one ! And it does sound like Peter Cowan's signature set composition (officer on tricycle and three troopers on bikes). The painting stylization and sculpturing is quite similar to the several KC sets which I own (personal fave of mine is the "Wolf Gun of Mafeking" complete w/Major Panzera commanding). Thanks for your input, Dave

 

[uncled]

Hi Dave,
Have a similar Kingcast set in my collection. Purchased them boxed in 1985 for the then princely sum of $59.00 USD. They are Set L252 Royal Marine Cyclists circa 1899. These are in dark blue, service dress caps, with an officer on the tricycle (white belts, cartridge pouches, and shoulder strap, on light grey bicycles). So either you have a different regiment, or they could have possibly been re-painted. Also have the Marktime 13th Middlesex Volunteers (Cyclists). Hope this helps.
Regards,
Arnhemjim
Arizona Territory

Jim, thanks for your input. The Cowan/Kingcast connection re: set composition and uni style is also apparent with your RMLI set. I believe my troops are KC's interpretation of the 26th Middlesex Vols.
Great to have this support group ! Uncled Dave