OLD BRITAINS vs NEW BRITAINS (1 Viewer)

[Cardigan600]

Yo Dick, to answer the question from BRITAINS thread, to be honest think the new sets they did of the old sets are much better. You know what I am saying, made for kids mass produced paint just thrown on, but they are classed as antiques rightly so and they are brill. But the new sets done in the old style are far superior paint wise. I have shown here the old Scots Guards & the new Scots guards to me the new one you could not better it for a Pipe Band, and I collect old Britains as you know.
Bernard.

 

[Dickbuttons]

Very true - -the old sets were made as toys. $2.00 bought you a box of 8 infantry or 5 cavalry, which the young kids immediately cut out of their boxes and used in war games.
as such, they wee amde as toys and used as toys.


I venture to say that todays Britains are made for the collector and is geared toward a somewhat older crowd. I would be interested to know how many 6, 7 and 8 year olds are out there buying Britains limited edition sets at $100 or more apiece. Or, how many of these younger collectors are members of this forum.

Dick

 

[Dickbuttons]

Bernard -- just to think this through to the logical conclusion -- do you see the day coming where one of the big toy soldier auctions houses (like Vectis, or Christies or Bonhams) will announce they sold a new Britians set for a price in the thousands?

Dick

P.S. -- I hope so!

 

[Cardigan600]

Yo Dick, no dont think that will happen, as you say, they are not made for kids anymore at the prices, so therefore are well cared for, and boxes stored away in safes lol. I mean they will increase somewhat but not like Old Britains, as you mention, just imagine a kid in the 50s getting a set as a present, the box was destoyed in 2 seconds flat, and 1 hour later half the paint was missing lol (Happy Days) Just like my lad crys for my mobile until I give in, then just chucks it on the floor (you little horror grrrr) Its a wonder any survived in the nice condition you see some in auctions today, hence the big $$$$$$$$.
Bernard.

 

[Dickbuttons]

I collect both vintage Britains as well as some of the newer lines. And, even though they were amde as toys for the younger set, I think it will be a very, very long time before you see a modern set that can rival the likes of a vintage Britains set like the Musical Ride (set no. 2085).

 

[Dickbuttons]

Bernard -- Interesting discussion -- it would be interresting to have a poll to see if collectors would rather have the new version or the vintage version. Which do you think wopuld win out?

 

[aujj65]

Dick,

You have some really nice sets here

Jeff

 

[skeeterbuck]

Dick, I think that the new style would win hands down. It seems to me that most current collectors prefer figures that are more realistic looking. I believe that's the reason the matte finish is more popular.

Using the current Zulu range that Britains is offering for example, there are more finished in matte that gloss.

I just glad that the Crimean War figures (which I collect) are in gloss, which I prefer.

Chuck

 

[Spitfrnd]

I collect both vintage Britains as well as some of the newer lines. And, even though they were amde as toys for the younger set, I think it will be a very, very long time before you see a modern set that can rival the likes of a vintage Britains set like the Musical Ride (set no. 2085).

That is a beautiful and classic set and I can understand your feeling. As has been oft said though, it is a question of preference and some collectors would find more appeal from some of the modern sets. It comes down to what you like. I do doubt you will ever see the same price growth in the modern series but you never know.

 

[Dickbuttons]

I agree -- maybe its my predeliction from when I was allot younger and began collecting Britains -- I only have gloss figures -- not a single matte figure in my entire collection.

But I disagree on choices -- vintage set wins hands down for me.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

I will tell you I agree and disagree with some of the ideas being bantered around here. I am not sure of which category I fall into because I am not that old and when I was a kid playing with them in the yard etc the metal ones were out and the plastic ones (Deetail) were the rage. I also had a lot of Swoppets that met their end in my old homes attic falling through cracks in the floor (it was an unfinished space at the time so they had merely put down rough flooring to allow it to be used as an attic) Wish my folks still own that house, what a batch of treasure is sitting between the floors waiting for a repairman to find them.

But I have both old and new in my collection and will tell you that I go for them both on a regular basis. My latest finds have been two sets of Lancers (set 24) one from before the war and one from after so I am very excited about that but I was equally excited when I picked up a group of Indian Mutiny Figures for a good price so its a bit of a balancing act but I really enjoy both types and I will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

So I guess I dont fit the model very well since I go for sets that strike a cord with me and not necessarily because of maker or age. By the way Dick that Musical Ride is just stunning!

All the best

Dave

 

[4th Hussar]

On preferences you might need to factor in age. I am retired and prefer the gloss old toy soldier look. Some of the matte realistic troops interst me but I do not have many. I also prefer vingtage sports cars to the current models. I think many of our preferences are formed in our youth or maybe old dogs don't learn new tricks..............................

 

[Spitfrnd]

On preferences you might need to factor in age. I am retired and prefer the gloss old toy soldier look. Some of the matte realistic troops interst me but I do not have many. I also prefer vingtage sports cars to the current models. I think many of our preferences are formed in our youth or maybe old dogs don't learn new tricks..............................

I think that depends on the individual as well. I am not that young (so I am told) any more but I prefer the more realistic matt look that didn't even exist when I was a kid. The classic gloss figures are beautiful in their own right but just not as much to my taste.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Hi Guys,
...I also had a lot of Swoppets that met their end in my old homes attic falling through cracks in the floor (it was an unfinished space at the time so they had merely put down rough flooring to allow it to be used as an attic) Wish my folks still own that house, what a batch of treasure is sitting between the floors waiting for a repairman to find them.
...

Have you considered pursuing access with the current owners, there might be a way?

 

[Dickbuttons]

On preferences you might need to factor in age. I am retired and prefer the gloss old toy soldier look. Some of the matte realistic troops interst me but I do not have many. I also prefer vingtage sports cars to the current models. I think many of our preferences are formed in our youth or maybe old dogs don't learn new tricks..............................

I think you summed it up very well -- count me in with one of those "old dogs."

Dick

 

[4th Hussar]

Dick,
Having survived this far , I rather enjoy being an "old dog" since the option was "road kill". I just wish i would have bought WBs in the 50s and 60s, rather than comic books..........................

 

[VIRIATO]

I have been collecting since 2004 I guess, although as a child I played with Timpo, Britains Deetail, Airfix and other plastic soldiers. So I have very poor knowledge of the Older Britains. I have only seen photos of those older sets. But based on what I see and on what I have, I prefer to go into the newer Britains, to me they look more perfect and realistic, in fact the New Gloss toy soldiers are my favorite type ( Little Legion, Trophy, Imperial, newer Tradition and Britains...) and they look better done than the older ones. I also find it hard to swallow chasing older sets that are sometimes full of paint chips. My new sets will hopefully become antiques that me or someone beyond me will be happy to enjoy.
That said, there are certainly some older gems out there, and I appreciate the older style toy soldiers made nowadays ( Wm. Hocker, Dorset, these are both stunning, particularly Hocker ), but unfortunately I am forced to make choices and can not get into the older looking stuff and collect my preferred style simultaneously, especially because I also like K&C and matte Britains ( under my sights/thinking of room for new matte sets ).


Paulo

 

[theBaron]

I agree with those who've noted that a clear break exists between original or "traditional" Britains-the old hollowcast production, and the newer lines. That is, true toy soldiers versus collector's toys.

From the standpoint of organizing forum threads, I think it's better to keep all Britains threads in one. Just easier to navigate, I think.

Prost, beianand!
Brad

 

[Cardigan600]

I agree with those who've noted that a clear break exists between original or "traditional" Britains-the old hollowcast production, and the newer lines. That is, true toy soldiers versus collector's toys.

From the standpoint of organizing forum threads, I think it's better to keep all Britains threads in one. Just easier to navigate, I think.

Prost, beianand!
Brad

Yo Trooper, people are saying sould be in this Area the Dungeon lol, suits me, as I said with respect Britains nowdays have nothing to do with the older sets, ie as The Britfarmer said this morning Britains should do away with the green plates, I pointed out they have he was talking about a 1980s set, so you see people get the two confused (see Britains Thread). Just imagine K&C selling off their name and the new owner going back to Traditional Toys Soldiers it would be WAR.
Bernard.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I think we need to keep Britains all together. Regardless of who owns the compnay now they are still Britains. I think we are splitting hairs here next we will be having Britains Matte, Britains Gloss, pre war paints styles post war paint styles, plastic, sections.

If you consider the Old Britains to be pre 1966 Where do all the others fall into line? eg swoppets, and the reintroduction of the metal lines in 1983??? These certainly are not new items.

By creating other sections it will just make it more confusing. If I came to this forum looking for info I would immediately go to the Britains thread. I probably wouldn't think to myself no wait a minute they are pre-1966 and they are pre-war so I wonder where the thread is for them.