Today's post brought an interesting collection of figures. Have just started the process of classification, what make, etc. If you see any mistakes I welcome any assistance. As many are broken I would like to repair them, and improve the paintwork, perhaps also augment their basing, The UK dealer thought they dated to the 1970s, I suspect the original owner was French?
The first batch are French Foreign Legion, mainly made by STARLUX. The plain plastic figures are possibly COFALU, or cheaper copies?
The second batch may also be STARLUX, belonging to their French paratroopers range. But at least two of these are cheap copies.
At first I thought these naval figures were all STARLUX but apparently they are CHARGANT/CLAIRET/COFALU. These cowboys and Native Indians are STARLUX.
This fourth batch is almost certainly STARLUX French post-WW2 infantry. Also included are several others which portray American WW2?
This fifth batch is the single/odd figures, some of which are quite nice. There was also a load of broken horses, my plan is to use some of these too, even if they only end up as casualties. (But will probably pass on the Cherilea Spacemen, and the Chinese copies of Britains Tipi and totem pole.) Those sandbags are well made (resin) and will paint up nicely. (Footnote, the grey Western civilian, first photo, bottom row, is a rather nice Clairet figure.)
OK, there is a lot of work to be done, but they do have some appeal. It was the mounted Foreign Legion officer which made me think this could be a useful project. Total cost/delivered £9.
SECOND POST
As a follow-on, I recently picked up these two Deetail Saracens for £9.99 delivered, so hardly cheap. But I needed a mounted commander for my Saracen/Turk medievals and the black saddle cloth caught my eye. Have already repainted the foot figure and it will serve as a lesser officer. There was also a broken knight. Rather than restoring I've converted it into a casualty, cutting away one side and bending one of the legs.
MGB
Hi Michael, you;re very much on the right track with the IDs, here is a link to the French collectors forum (can't remember if I've sent you this before but i think it's by far the most comprehensive toy soldier site on the internet) https://soldatplastique-1-32.forumgratuit.org/
ReplyDeleteThe Clairet western figure is particularly nice, in the same picture the shepherd with staff is by Timpo, the black plastic one in tricorn little white figure are French premiums made by Roche Aux Fees, the first from an AWI set the white one from a Davy Crockett set.
In the pic with the Cherilea spacemen the two 7th Cavalry were made in Spain by Jecsan.
All the best, Brian
Thanks Brian, I was hoping you would give some input. My source of information was initially French-Ebay, that opened up some other sites. That forum will be useful, thank you. I have found examples of them all so will restore some as they were meant to be. Having seen their values, I have decided to paint the plain plastics as they will mean more to me than as they are. I haven't uploaded every figure, there were several more belonging to the LA ROCHE AUX FEE range of Davy Crocket, including an Indian and a Mexican soldier. There was also several from their 45mm Circus and Farm ranges, which I won't keep. I really do like the Clairet hard-plastic western figure, have tidied up the original paintwork but will otherwise leave alone, a useful civilian.
DeleteMichael
What a wonderful variety of figures Michael, with great potential! I am particularly impressed with the black horse in picture #9 with his front feet on the ground. It seems to be a unique pose, yet very natural. You will have a lot of fun working your magic on this lot, I'm sure! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you Brad, have already started working on the cowboys. With limited funds, I must see the £9 enhance my collection with value, nostalgia, pagentry, and gaming features above that cost, I think we will succeed! Have certainly learnt a lot, mainly on the French toy soldier manufacturers.
DeleteMichael
Great collection of figures all of which are new to me - I fear I know nothing about French plastic figures -but very interesting even so .
ReplyDeleteCheers Tony, I was in the same boat. I saw the mounted Foreign Legion figure and thought it could be useful to my French army. On viewing the others, despite many being broken, most were totally new to me. But at £9 including delivery thought it was worth the gamble.
DeleteMichael