Should vintage Britain's have some type of markings under the base? (1 Viewer)
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theBaron
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Not necessarily on the underside of the base, but marked somewhere on the figure, depending on the years in which the figure may have been made, and the subject. For example, horses and cattle can have the markings on their bellies. I'd have to check my references (eg, James Opie's and Norman Joplin's books). But Scott (britfarmer) may be able to speak more definitively, in the meantime. I think he's the forum member you're thinking of.
Prost!
Brad
Prost!
Brad
DMNamiot
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Hi Guys,
On some of the very early ones they had a paper sticker but for the most part they had something on the bottom of the stand or the belly of the animal or in the case of figures with no base (ie) kneeling or prone there would be something on the flattest part of the figure. What figures do you have that are in question? Posta photo and I am sure that one of the Britains guys here can ID it for you.
Dave
On some of the very early ones they had a paper sticker but for the most part they had something on the bottom of the stand or the belly of the animal or in the case of figures with no base (ie) kneeling or prone there would be something on the flattest part of the figure. What figures do you have that are in question? Posta photo and I am sure that one of the Britains guys here can ID it for you.
Dave
Arnhemjim
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Hello MikeNick,
In one word YES. Am going to attach a photo that contains three definitive examples of the markings of foot soldiers with bases. Am hoping after the research, and the editing with Photoshop, that I do not have any memory limitation issues with the TF Forum site. Which I am! So what you see is what you get of an otherwise well sized, sharp image. Lying and kneeling infantry have essentially the same markings embossed on the figure itself, as do all horses of cavalry figures on their underside. Now I get to "mickey mouse" around resizing the jpeg to "conform". Relative quick success. Hope this is of assistance.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory
In one word YES. Am going to attach a photo that contains three definitive examples of the markings of foot soldiers with bases. Am hoping after the research, and the editing with Photoshop, that I do not have any memory limitation issues with the TF Forum site. Which I am! So what you see is what you get of an otherwise well sized, sharp image. Lying and kneeling infantry have essentially the same markings embossed on the figure itself, as do all horses of cavalry figures on their underside. Now I get to "mickey mouse" around resizing the jpeg to "conform". Relative quick success. Hope this is of assistance.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory
thebritfarmer
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Looks good to me Jim, can't add much to what Dave & Jim have already posted.
MikeNick
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Thank you. Your information is invaluable for my collection.
Already I see that I have made some costly errors in my purchases from EBAY.
For example in the attached photos, which look exactly like old Britain's set 171, there are no Britain's markings under the base.
I really have to be much more careful about who I purchase from. I really need to see a photo of the Britain's label under the base. If by chance, I am wrong in my assumption of these purchases, please tell me.
Since there are so few toy soldier stores, are there any reputable toy soldier sellers that the Forum members would recommend for buying old Britains?
Thanks,
MikeNick
johnnybach
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To just add a little to what Jim has already shown you with the images of the underside of some examples. There were a small number of figures made - rather early on - on some figures - which had a date embossed on the bases too. I have a couple of Cowboys somewhere - which have the dates ( early 1900's) shown - but these were phased out as the moulds wore out - to be replaced .
So......you may see some early ones dated too.
The whole issue of marking bases arose because of piracy of Britain's early figures - sometimes by former employees who had left to set up their own manufacturing companies. It took several years of court action to suppress the worst offenders - and that's why you can find so many old Hollowcasts which look like Britains' figures. ALWAYS ask questions of markings from e-bay sellers - who are frequently "confused" as to maker, and will advertise almost anything as "Britains".
Also - just to confuse the issue even more - there are people like me around, who repair and convert old damaged figures. I have just repaired a few figures which were Britains (and other Hollowcast manufacturers) which had the stands (bases) missing altogether. Once repaired with new fabricated bases, they had no markings underneath at all - NOW - are they still Britains???
I prefer to say that they once were - but now come under the category of "repaired and restored". jb
theBaron
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Don't beat yourself up over this purchase. Looking for a label is only one part of identifying them. Have you looked them up in any of the various books on Britains? It's possible that these were issued with paper labels, which have long since fallen off or were removed. And even so, if they aren't Britians, they look like some other hollowcast toy soldiers, contemporary to classic Britains hollowcast.
And don't abandon eBay. You can always contact a seller while the auction is up and ask. The worst that happens is that he can't answer, and you decide not to bid. However, there are auction houses that I would trust, particularly Vectis and Ray Haradin's outfit.
Prost!
Brad
thebritfarmer
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They do look like Britains, are they heavy? One of the pics Jim posted shows a rectangular base with a paper label, these could have had those when made.
MikeNick
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thebritfarmer
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They could be Britains then. I will have a look in the few books I have to see if I can find anything that resembles them.
theBaron
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I can't check mine till I get home, but the results to a web search on "britains set 171" include a Vectis auction for set 171, "Greek Infantry":
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4612963_britains-from-set-171-greek-infantry
Same set at Bonham's:
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/16877/lot/1108/
and another Vectis auction, for a set with the original box, advertised at Invaluable:
http://www.invaluable.co.uk/auction-lot/britains-set-171-greek-infantry-1913-5707-c-c64d60eb9e
I think the casting was used for a number of different countries' armies, wasn't it? I'm thinking of the Japanese infantry from the Russo-Japanese War.
Prost!
Brad
thebritfarmer
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Most Britains figures were painted in a multitude of regiments.
That last link you post in the descriptions states.
Description: Britains - Set 171 - Greek Infantry - [1913, first version], comprising: Running Officer with Drawn Sword & 7 x Other Ranks with Rifles at the Trail - Unmarked Square Bases. Some minor paint chips otherwise generally Excellent overall, contained [strung] in a generally Excellent [minor age wear] early printed [Green] label box.
That last link you post in the descriptions states.
Description: Britains - Set 171 - Greek Infantry - [1913, first version], comprising: Running Officer with Drawn Sword & 7 x Other Ranks with Rifles at the Trail - Unmarked Square Bases. Some minor paint chips otherwise generally Excellent overall, contained [strung] in a generally Excellent [minor age wear] early printed [Green] label box.