greetings to all hollowcast collectors- i am in possession of my fathers old Wm. Britain hollocasts from his childhood. because of the age factor the figures would have been purchased ca. 1920-1935. i cannot post photos so i will describe as best i can. 1-hospital wagon with 4 horse team. 2 riders on horses and 2 riders on wagon in khaki with flat service caps with brims. wagon riders have red cross on right arms. wagon is dark olive green with tan cloth cover with red cross either side. horses dark brown with reddish brown leather and green blankets. paint 90% and condition very good. 2-artillery limber and gun with 6 horse team. 3 riders on horses and 2 on limber in khaki, same flat caps as above. horses are dark brown and are pretty much same colors as hospital wagon. limber and gun are gun metal natural gray(unpainted). field gun is usual design with screw elevation and brass finger activated firing mechanism. also in very good condition with 80-90% paint. also have matching mounted officer with swivel sword arm in matching khaki uniform and horse in similar colors. can anyone i.d. year, series, possible value? appreciate any and all help- lancer
please help identify figures (1 Viewer)
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DMNamiot
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Hi There Lancer,
The first set you describe sounds like it is Set 145 Royal Army Medical Corps, Ambulance with four horses drivers and two seated orderlies. It is a pre war set due to the colour of the wagon. Also in the post war set the Orderlies and Riders wore Dark Blue Tunics with red facings dark blue trousers with red stripes and red braid at the wrists they also had the dark blue helmets with a ball instead of a spike.
The second set has me puzzled it sounds a lot like set 39 but the uniforms and the gunners on the cassion have me vexed. I will do some digging in my source books and see if I can find it. Maybe Dick or Hugh will know it.
All the best
Dave
The first set you describe sounds like it is Set 145 Royal Army Medical Corps, Ambulance with four horses drivers and two seated orderlies. It is a pre war set due to the colour of the wagon. Also in the post war set the Orderlies and Riders wore Dark Blue Tunics with red facings dark blue trousers with red stripes and red braid at the wrists they also had the dark blue helmets with a ball instead of a spike.
The second set has me puzzled it sounds a lot like set 39 but the uniforms and the gunners on the cassion have me vexed. I will do some digging in my source books and see if I can find it. Maybe Dick or Hugh will know it.
All the best
Dave
DMNamiot
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Hi Lancer,
OK I did some digging and found a set that sounds like your artillery one. Set 144a Royal Field Artillery in Service Dress it was produced in around 1924. My guess is its worth a pretty penny and you should consult with Dick Buttons or HHenry here to see what they think. I have never seen one at auction that I can remember. I hope you have them in a nice display. Sounds like a couple of great sets.
All the best
Dave
OK I did some digging and found a set that sounds like your artillery one. Set 144a Royal Field Artillery in Service Dress it was produced in around 1924. My guess is its worth a pretty penny and you should consult with Dick Buttons or HHenry here to see what they think. I have never seen one at auction that I can remember. I hope you have them in a nice display. Sounds like a couple of great sets.
All the best
Dave
hi DMNamiot- many thanks for the rapid response. the info is much appreciated and valued. never had a bit of knowledge about them prior to this and it means a lot. i have them in a glass doored display case for protection and display but no imagination in said display i'm afraid. many soldiers and no room. many thanks- lancer
Dickbuttons
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I am attaching photos of Britains pre-war sets nos. 144A and 145A from a somewhat recent Vectis auction. The auction prices can range anywheres from 100 to 250GBP, and in some casses more. I suggest you go to he Vectis site and serahc their past auctions for further information. Plus you can compare photos of their sets to the ones you have at home. Good Luck.
to Dickbuttons- many thanks for the info. pictures are great. the artillery set is a spot on match for the one i have and the hospital set matches as well with only the wagon color a slightly darker green. the set is obviously the same one. will go to vectis. thanks again for time and effort.- lancer
Dickbuttons
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No problem at all -- remember, however, that prices in the United Kingdom -- tend to be a little higher - especially for the pre-war Britains sets. And, if you look at some of Vectis' past auctions - you will note that the same set can sell for $400 at one auction, go unsold at another, and sell for $600 at another. But if you search their past auctions and look at all the results, you may get a good aproximation of the value of your sets. Here is the Vectis search site. www.vectis.co.uk/auclist.php
Good Luck.
Dick
Dick- thanks again. went to vectis and got pertinent info. was also able to determine that a mtd. officer i had from my dad was the officer issued with 144a. it seems said set is complete. also was able to i.d. two 1960-1966 sets my dad bought in Bermuda for me in 1965ish. this forum is great. best regards- Al