Jim Nolan's Blog

New Piece in Feb. Funny Times

Click on image to enlarge.

And, on the same page, a cartoon by Isabella Bannerman on the same theme.

Britains Queens Bay Hollow-cast Soldier

From Robin Bannerman's childhood collection of W. Britain toy soldiers. An expert, Mike Niederman, ID-ed it:

"Set 44. The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards). Britains issued these guys 1896-1952."

Thanks, Mike!

Isabella Bannerman Cold Weather Cartoon

An excellent strategy. From this week's Six Chix strip by King Features Syndicate. 

W. Britains Toy Soldiers: French Infantry

W. Britains toy soldiers ready to shoot. Go here for more Britains. If you're a Britains expert, please let us know about them!

Update from expert Mike Niederman:

"From set 215 French Infantry in Action. First issued 1924."

Thanks, Mike!

Britains Infanterie de ligne Hollow-cast Soldiers

W. Britains toy soldiers on the march. Go here for more Britains. If you're a Britains expert, please let us know about them!

An expert, Mike Niederman, answered us:

"Set 192 Infanterie de ligne. Issued 1916-1940."

Thanks, Mike!

British & French Infantry Hollow-cast Soldiers, Identified

From the collection of Robin Bannerman. Click to enlarge.

Mike Niederman explains:

"The 2 figures marching at trail (one missing hand and rifle) are from set 258 {British} Infantry in Steel Helmets and Gas Masks. Issued 1928-40. The tan uniform and grey helmet point to an early version.
The gas-masked French infantryman I can't place, but he's not a Britains issue."

1759 Air Raid Precautions Stretcher Squad Hollow-cast Figure

From the collection of Robin Bannerman.

Hollow-cast expert Mike Niederman reports:

"This rather terrifying figure is a stretcher bearer from set 1759 Air Raid Precautions Stretcher Squad. It was issued pre WWII.

"Proprietor" and "Copyright" are always on the underside of the base of a Britains figure. Sometimes Deposee is seen; this means the mould was made to be used in the brief period Britains had a Paris Office."

Thanks, Mike!

Hollow-cast Soldiers: French Mountain Troops

Did we let the kids play with their grandfather's William Britains toy soldiers growing up? Nope.

Expert Mike Niederman comments on these:

"Not by Britains. They appear to represent the Chasseurs alpins, French mountain troops."

Thanks, Mike!

Toy Musicians Identified by Expert Mike Niederman

Mike Niederman's comments on Robin Bannerman's childhood collection of hollow-cast toy soldiers:

The white plume on the left of the drummer boy's bearskin means he's a Grenadier Guard. There was a drummer in Britains set 34, Grenadier Guards standing firing. Drummers wore half-boots or gaiters until 1934, then got the full trousers this lad has. The set was discontinued in 1941.
The euphonium player's plume, if any, can't be seen. Painting a moustache was stopped by the late 1930s. Maybe a Scots Guard from set 1607, first issued 1938. And if both these guys are from the mid to late 1930s, they're from the same period as many other figures in this collection. (I'd use a soft toothbrush to remove that yellow shmoo from the drummer boy.)

Hollow-cast Cowboy: Unidentified Maker

More of Mike Niederman's expert commentary on Robin Bannerman's childhood collection of hollow-cast toys:

"Not Britains. He shows up in a green shirt in the unidentified makers section in Joplin's book."

Thanks, Mike!