Please help identify these soldiers - Egyptian Infantry - maker??? (3 Viewers)

[metaphora]

Hi all, I recently aquired a group of solid cast lead Egyptian soldiers.

I cant seem to find reference to any like them on the internet.
The rounded hands look to me a little like Heyde but im not sure as I can see no reference of Egyptian soldiers from them.
The bugle has come off the musician and they have general paint chipping etc.

They are about 45mm - 47mm from bottom of base to top of head.

Any help appreciated.

Regards,

Anton

 

[theBaron]

Welcome to the forum, Anton!

My first thought is that these are by the German maker Heyde (to my fellow English speakers, that's "high-deh", not "high-dee"). The size is right, and they certainly look like the standard Heyde castings. I'm pretty sure that Heyde made Egyptian infantry, too, but I'll have to look it up to make sure.

Prost!
Brad

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi There

I was thinking they were either Heyde or from an Austrian Company called Kober because I believe they also made solid full body figures too. But I will see what I have in my references. Very nice looking set.

Dave

 

[metaphora]

Thanks Brad & Dave,
I look forward to what your references uncover. I'm finding very little on the Heyde range online and my only reference is the "Rose" book The Collectors All Colour Guide to Toy Soldiers which has two double pages on Heyde but these Egyptians not there.
I've got a company of 23 of these soldiers mostly in the advance with bayonet or rifle over shoulder pose.

Regards,

Anton

 

[theBaron]

Hi, Anton,

I took a look in my copies of Richard O'Brien's "Collecting Toy Soldiers", which is a reference I do not hesitate highly to recommend. I'm convinced that your toy soldiers are by Heyde. There are no photos of Egyptians infantry, but the basic poses of your figures, and the shape of the flag-bearer, match photos of other soldiers depicted in the Heyde chapter. They used the same body for soldiers from most contemporary armies, swapping headgear for specific nations. Unfortunately, I don't think I have any listing of the Heyde catalog, but I'll look through my digital catalogs and see if I've picked one up. I'd like to be able to point to a specific catalog listing as further confirmation.

Prost!
Brad

 

[metaphora]

Thanks Brad,
Your info is appreciated.
I'd love to see reference to them somewhere. I'll also try and find that book you mention.

My main aim is to find out what year approx they were made. Also whether it was a set as such or were they available in small groups.

All the best,

Anton

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Anton. Although I'm no expert - I also thought immediately of Heyde - when I saw your soldiers, so I wouldn't disagree with that idea.

Looks as if some bits have come off - so..................

If any of your soldiers require fixing - I might suggest that spare parts which will doubtless fit - are available from a British company called Irregular Miniatures. (see online at: http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/). Once into the web-site - select 42mm from the sizes offered - then scroll down the side bar to "Deutsche Homage" - and you will find quite a few lookalike Egyptian - and other - soldiers to yours. Note that these are NOT Heyde recasts - but original sculpts made to look very like the Heyde figures. There are also a host of very reasonably priced spare parts available to enable repairs to be made to any of your figures that may require them. (heads, arms, weapons etc., - and also other useful informative tips on assembly, repair and painting of figures.

Might be useful - good luck with them - they look fun. Johnnybach

 

[theBaron]

Thanks Brad,
Your info is appreciated.
I'd love to see reference to them somewhere. I'll also try and find that book you mention.

My main aim is to find out what year approx they were made. Also whether it was a set as such or were they available in small groups.

All the best,

Anton

Heyde went out of business at the end of World War II; I've seen some sources say the factory was destroyed in the bombing of Dresden, others that noted that they survived into the first years of the DDR. Their peak was in the years leading up to the First World War, with large display sets. I don't recall offhand how the typical box set was put together, but I'll look it up.

Prost!
Brad

 

[metaphora]

Thanks again Brad for the info on dates.
Also Johnnybach I'll check that site out as well for parts out of interest.

I'll probably keep them original even if a bayonet or two is missing. As I find the play worn look a lot more appealing than the meticulous restoration some collectors do.

Cheers,
Anton