Sorry to trouble others but I'm at a real loss as to what these plastic toy soldiers are. Just purchased them as I thought they could be useful for conversions, but I might decide to keep them as nondescript 1800-1900 top-up cavalry. For all I know they could be new Chinese-made, or pre-1990 toys. Would welcome opinions, even if its only a guess.
MGB
Are the horses hollow underneath ? have seen some plastic Cowboys with this type horse but no idea who made them I'm afraid .
ReplyDeleteHi Tony, still awaiting delivery, but the seller did describe them as vintage, for what that is worth. Zooming in on the original photos, I would say they are solid, but the horse-legs may not be totally round. I'm going to take your suggestion to use the horse design as a possible course for information. Truly, I have never seen these figures before. One idea, looking at the headless, they might be officers for West Point cadets? But green uniforms!
DeleteMichael
Tony, I think you are right. I'm beginning to suspect they are 1950-60s American made. Possibly hollow underneath. Something very close was made by Beton/Bergen, and then copied by Lido, Ajax, Archer, and other American companies. If they do date back to c.1960, I will only restore/repair where needed. Although I will want to combat future oxidisation.
DeleteMichael
Tony, have just visited Small Scale Worlds and he has some of the same horses, with the two reins system. He believes they are probably early Airfix copies of Beton/Bergen, possibly dating to c.1955. He also has several riders and lists them as 'Academy Cadets/Circus Performer/Ceremonial figures'. I'm quite excited about these toy soldiers but hope for more information (and advise) from others on how best to use them.
DeleteMichael
That's a lovely group! I'd say Bergan/Beton (without checking what I've said elsewhere!), but where are they coming from? Both Reamsa (Spain) and Reisler (Denmark) are connected to these sculpts too? I'll go and answer your comment on my thread and add this Blog to my Blog-list!
ReplyDeleteH
Hi Hugh, thanks for your interest. Have commented on your site. When they arrive (hopefully), I will take close up photos to help in identifying who made them. Will certainly wish to repair broken reins and horse-legs but otherwise seek to keep them as they are..... they will be old toy soldiers participating in a miniature wargame. Will be linking your excellent research site on this blog.
DeleteMichael
Great find Michael! I believe that they are mounted Beton Cadets or copies of those figures. If you go to Kent Sprecher's website; Toy Soldier HQ, he has a lot of Beton info and pictures and you may get a better idea as to what you have!
ReplyDeleteHi Brad, with the proviso they actually get here safely, the figures are proving quite interesting. The original design of the horse goes back to Beton in the late 1930s!!!!!!!! But most of them, and numerous copies are 1950-60s. Thanks for the link, its a useful site. For my part, may I recommend U.S. Dimestore, he has uploaded a load of stuff on Beton toys. Well recommended. Will hopefully be posting up more on this. Regards,
DeleteMichael
King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery?
ReplyDeleteWell George, if they turn out to be cheap Chinese copies, with no collectable value, I might embrace conversions. They are expected to arrive on Friday. If others feel it would be wrong to 'alter' them, being early examples of plastic figures, I will play my part and maintain them. To be honest, I see potential in having some nondescript cavalry, it will open up scenarios which inappropriate 'historical' uniforms would distract from, e.g. 17th Lancers in pit helmets will always look like 17th Lancers. These plastic figures could serve to represent any small national army in Europe or South America.
DeleteMichael
Yes, it would be good to preserve them if they are early plastics (a good varnish should protect the plastic).
DeleteYes, I need to do some research to see if varnish really does do more than just protect the paintwork.
DeleteMichael
They look like they belong in a Tintin book. Did you solve your mystery?
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Jon, I went to Small Scale World blog where it was confirmed they were 1960s original or copies of Bergan toy soldiers, being mounted figures inspired by West Point Cadet uniforms. And they have painted up very nicely!
DeleteMichael