Test Your Toy Soldier Knowledge: Test #3 (2 Viewers)

[MikeNick]

Anybody up for another go at solving the riddles in my toy soldier collection?

There is no indication under any of their bases to tell me who manufactured them.

Does anyone have a guess?

I'm not even sure what these guys are supposed to depict.

MikeNick

 

[ucla1967]

The first photo appear to be Russian Infantry from the Boxer Rebellion or Russo-Japanese War, 1900-1905. The could be home cast and painted. The last photo kind of reminds me of Jones, but I have never owned any, so I could be way off the mark.

 

[theBaron]

The first photo appear to be Russian Infantry from the Boxer Rebellion or Russo-Japanese War, 1900-1905. The could be home cast and painted. The last photo kind of reminds me of Jones, but I have never owned any, so I could be way off the mark.

I agree, Mike, regarding both points, though, if the top row are homecasts, they're from molds I've never seen before, or they could be bashed from some other figures. They definitely depict Imperial Russian infantry in their summer uniforms.

The bottom row could be Jones; the figure at the left reminds me of the pose of several of his figures. I'd have to look in O'Brien's books to know for certain.

The middle row look like some British hollowcasts, but not sure if Britain's or one of the others.

Prost!
Brad

 

[trooper]

The middle photo of the bandsmen look as though they are converted Britains. The heads look like additions and seem somehow out of kilter with the bodies. Trooper

 

[johnnybach]

I was thinking that the middle set could possibly be re-paints of the Britains RAF Band - first version set 1524, first produced in 1937? This figure had a head with that cap?
Not 100% certain though - could be that head used - and as trooper suggests?
johnnybach (See in British Toy Soldiers, 1893 to the present by James Opie, page 57, items 3 and 4).

 

[Obee]

I was thinking that the middle set could possibly be re-paints of the Britains RAF Band - first version set 1524, first produced in 1937? This figure had a head with that cap?
Not 100% certain though - could be that head used - and as trooper suggests?
johnnybach (See in British Toy Soldiers, 1893 to the present by James Opie, page 57, items 3 and 4).

I think you are on the right track when you say it could be the Britains RAF Band.

Andrew Rose's book shows that band as set 1527, BUT also mentions that the same figures and instrumentation was set 1301 but in Khaki.

The drummer boy sure looks like it, so I'd say they are from that set.

Hope this helps,

John

 

[johnnybach]

Ah yes - there they are on page 65 of Andrew Rose's book. They are shown using similar instruments a and yes - the drummer boy. My copy suggests a 12 piece band which might be numbered 1301 for the Khaki Band (could be a different edition as mine is a re-print) - so maybe its time for someone with the massive book on Britains (that I don't want to afford!) to chip in with the definitive Number/answer for this band. I do like 'em though. Well done John. johnnybach

 

[theBaron]

I have that book at home, I can look tonight. It reminds me of "Theodoric of York-Medieval Judge", when Theodoric would call for "The Writ...of Common Wisdom!" and the Bailiff would produce this huge leather-and-iron bound tome and slam it on the bench: "The Writ...of Common Wisdom!" (SNL, around 1980, Steve Martin as Theodoric and Dan Aykroyd as the Bailiff)

Prosit!
Brad