Toy soldiers

It was not until the late 18th century that the technology had developed to produce three-dimensional solid lead figures. These were first developed in France and Germany and imported to Great Britain. At the end of the 19th century William Britain set up his toy making business and started producing hollow cast figures, which dominated the toy soldier industry through the first half of the 20th century. Other makers included the British company John Hill & Co and German companies Elastolin and Lineol.

In post war Britain with materials in short supply Britains Ltd concentrated on its international markets and exported its toys. By the late 1960s the market had declined and Britains stopped producing its hollow cast lead soldiers in 1966.

Although plastic had developed into the hygienic, safe and unbreakable material of choice in the toy industry in the latter half of the 20th century toy soldiers of this kind did not have the popularity that the lead soldier had gained.