Top 20 Vintage Gloss Sets . (2 Viewers)

[Currahee Chris]

Hi Chris,

That sounds like a really interesting set. Did you get a photo of it by any chance? Was it the WB Set 41106 from 2004

Perhaps, I am not that well versed on glossies. I will snag a pic when I return.

 

[lancer]

JMO, but one cannot have a definitive 'best of' list if one doesn't include examples of 2 of the best makers of glossies in business today, Somerset and Regal/SoW. Somersets are magnificent figures with the best camel and elephant elements one can buy, either for the NWF or Sudan. Regal/SoW has a fantastic gloss finish, are rugged, and offer a huge selection of different periods. These makers are the highlight of my figure collection. -- Al

 

[panda1gen]

JMO, but one cannot have a definitive 'best of' list if one doesn't include examples of 2 of the best makers of glossies in business today, Somerset and Regal/SoW. Somersets are magnificent figures with the best camel and elephant elements one can buy, either for the NWF or Sudan. Regal/SoW has a fantastic gloss finish, are rugged, and offer a huge selection of different periods. These makers are the highlight of my figure collection. -- Al

Great thread, some excellent sets shown already. I don't have any glossies and I do not know enough about glossies to give a top twenty, but have been privileged to photograph some sets I thought were great. With apologies to Chris, I hope you don't mind me showing some, I don't even know the name of this set but I liked it.

 

[ccdc11]

Thanks everyone , some amazing sets so far . While I was thinking this was going to be a list of small boxed sets of WB and the like and it seems everyone has agreed on durbar sets and band sets .
As far the V C sets by WB , it's one of the reasons this thread came up . I bought the India mutiny,
The monarch samurai as well as the lawrence by Somerset . These 100 or so figures looks so brilliant under the lights of the cabinet it makes the flat sets look bland .

For all those who have recommended the hocker sets , no fear , I have planned to purchase several.
As Bill is one of the newer manufactures that captures the older look of the toy soldier from a bygone area.

Well keep em coming and thanks

Chuck

 

[johnnybach]

You're absolutely correct about how good sets of Glossies look when gathered together in a cabinet and displayed Chuck. I'm not a very good photographer I'm afraid - but even my poor attempts at it - can't hide the beauty. Here's a couple of my shelves in one of my cabinets - which gives an idea.


P.S Ask a couple of Durbar collectors to show us a few pics of their displays....................jb

 

[DMNamiot]

Wow Johnny thats a great looking set up!

I have been trying to find some curios that would work in the space I have and I hope I have found some at IKEA so maybe I'll be able to do some justice to all my Durbar items. I will need to get some scenics and really add some depth to the display.

But here are some photos of my display before I moved to Germany.

Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

Here are some more

 

[DMNamiot]

OK a few more

 

[ccdc11]

OK WOW !!!!
I may never show anyone my toy room again No, really simply amazing collections .
One of the sets I am wanting to buy is the Arabs of the desert . Can anyone post a pic of these not in a boxed set ?
Chuck

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Chuck,

I dont have a complete set of Arabs in the Desert but I have some of them. They come up on ebay a lot so it will be very easy to build a complete set for a price that wont break the bank.

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Chuck - Also have a look at Dorset Soldiers (UK) - They have some "Arabs on Camels" in their "Out of Africa" range. You can buy them either ready painted or as castings. They also have them on horses too. johnnybach

 

[ccdc11]

Johhybach , I actually own a Dorset set , it's the two boys playing with toy soldiers , and a castle .

Do you think if I ask everyone for 5 of their tops sets I might get a bit more responses ?
As a owner of 3000 metal flat figs I really wanted to get a ideal of what most people's view were of the must haves, from the original companies from the last 70 yeas or so ( uk and France). 54 scale .

I will likely buy only 20 sets or so ( if I don't fall in love with more ) but as I am adding some gloss
and can still buy new manufactures . I wanted to show the the older sets as the hobby progressed .

I will add new sets from current makers, as I can still obtain them new, but wanted a guide to the older ones. I have read quite a bit but seeing them on line in photos is better.

This of course will change by my own desires , but a general guide would help.

Thanks Chuck

 

[MarkeytMaker]

This is a great thread with pictures of some beautiful sets:salute::

I have several Trophy Big Box sets, here are two of my favourites

BLACK WATCH REGIMENTAL BAND and BLACK WATCH PIPES AND DRUMS

Cheers

Martyn

O.k Martyn...for me you have the best glossy set! Now just name a price, you know my email!

 

[johnnybach]

Johhybach , I actually own a Dorset set , it's the two boys playing with toy soldiers , and a castle .

Do you think if I ask everyone for 5 of their tops sets I might get a bit more responses ?
As a owner of 3000 metal flat figs I really wanted to get a ideal of what most people's view were of the must haves, from the original companies from the last 70 yeas or so ( uk and France). 54 scale .

I will likely buy only 20 sets or so ( if I don't fall in love with more ) but as I am adding some gloss
and can still buy new manufactures . I wanted to show the the older sets as the hobby progressed .

I will add new sets from current makers, as I can still obtain them new, but wanted a guide to the older ones. I have read quite a bit but seeing them on line in photos is better.

This of course will change by my own desires , but a general guide would help.

Thanks Chuck

Maybe so. Could I give you an idea?

Unless you have it already, have a look for a second-hand book on Amazon by Andrew Rose, called "The Collector's All Colour Guide to Toy Soldiers". Was first published in 1985 - but my copy was reprinted in 1989 - and was bought for the ridiculously low price of one penny (plus postage). It's stuffed with proper 54mm sized colour pictures and explanations of lots of early sets by all the major early manufacturers ( especially Britains). There's loads of other useful information - and just my favourite book about the hobby.

Track one down for a couple of bucks - and you won't be disappointed - promise!. Then you can really have some fun tracking some down. johnnybach

 

[ccdc11]

Thanks everyone ,
I bought the collectors guide at otsn this year along with one of the obrien Id guides .
It has helped, but I do have a question ? I have learned that WB used the same set number for decades , that being so can anyone post pics of the same set as it changed during the years. I am trying to learn most of this on my own but pics would help and I get to see more sets on here {sm4}

And for everyone who posted a band thanks . I have decided to add a few .

Chuck

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Again,

What Britains did in many cases was the set started as say and 8 figure infantry set and over the years they would trim it down to 6 figures in many cases. I will see if I can illustrate this with some of the sets I have.

Dave

 

[thebritfarmer]

Hi Again,

What Britains did in many cases was the set started as say and 8 figure infantry set and over the years they would trim it down to 6 figures in many cases. I will see if I can illustrate this with some of the sets I have.

Dave

They did it with mounted sets also and went from 5 to 4 figures.

 

[johnnybach]

They did it with mounted sets also and went from 5 to 4 figures.

Yes - the book that I mentioned by Andrew Rose gives details of many of these reduced sets - such as this quote, for example: (on page 57)

"Egyptian Cavalry; set 115................The first version Egyptian Cavalry, mounted on what is known as the 'pony horse', were only produced from 1901-3, making this version fairly scarce. The second version on the 1903 cantering horse - had a much longer life, lasting right through to 1966, but reduced to a four piece set in 1960." (both sets illustrated with pictures).

Just to show you what I'm talking about - this is one of the lancer figures being talked about. It's one of the second versions (cantering horse) mentioned above - there is also an officer figure - essentially the same but with a drawn sword in these sets. Also, note that my pic below is a repaired and re-painted figure, by me, from my own collection - so is not in original condition.

I think this example will indicate to Chuck - that at least some of what he is after - could be found from reading that book - and looking at the illustrations which accompany them. Hope that helps - 'cos it has certainly helped me - such as when I repaired this one.

 

[ccdc11]

Ok I just purchased my first older set . As soon as it arrives I will try to post a pic .
Sorry no hints

 

[Gideon]

i love all selwyn smith pieces from the timpo gi's to britains knights of agincourt. in newer glossies, i am a huge fan of guard corps dismounted civil war cavalry.