Ulysses S. Grant

“Oh, I am heartily tired of hearing what Lee is going to do. Some of you always seem to think he is suddenly going to turn a double somersault and land in our rear and on both of our flanks at the same time.” Is a real quote said by Ulysses S. Grant during the Virginia Campaign of The Civil War. It has not been noted that General Robert E. Lee in fact turned that double somersault but we like to imagine what it would have been like if he had!

Grant said this quote in response to one of his general’s concerns. During The Virginia Campaign in 1864, Grant and Lee met in battle in the Wilderness of Virginia. Grant’s forces numbered nearly double those of Lee but Lee still brought a strong fight. Grant’s men showed concern at continuing to engage Lee’s apt army. In response Grant barks out on of our favorite quotes, “Oh, I am heartily tired of hearing what Lee is going to do. Some of you always seem to think he is suddenly going to turn a double somersault and land in our rear and on both of our flanks at the same time. Go back to your command and try to think what we are going to do ourselves, instead of what Lee is going to do.”

Read more about Grant and the Virginia Campaign on our blog now. If this image left you laughing, spread and share TOYmaker TALK!

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The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Toy Soldiers

NEW RELEASE!!

See brand new W. Britain toy soldiers commemorating The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee toy soldier sets are beautifully detailed figures from W. Britain. These five pairs of guards represent the Grenadier Guards, Irish Guards, Welsh Guards, Scots Guards, and Coldstream Guards.

“2012 promises to be a very busy year for the United Kingdom, with the Summer Olympics and Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II all happening within a few weeks of each other! To commemorate the Jubilee we have specially commissioned this series of five colours, one from each of the Guards Regiments. The Queen came to the throne on 6 February 1952 and her coronation took place on 2 June 1953. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002. The only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee was Queen Victoria in 1897.”
~The 2012 Winter & Stock Collection Catalog

Read more about these new W. Britain toy soldiers or shop collectible toy soldiers now!

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New Metal Toy Soldiers

In 1973, Britains began producing a new kind of metal toy soldiers. They were originally intended to be toys but eventually became collectors items. These figurines were die cast in metal alloy and these are the toy soldiers that W. Britain produces today. Die casting is a way of forming metal figures. A molten metal is poured into a cavity to form each figurine. These smart production methods and Britains renowned attention to detail are part of what have made them such a success today!  

The process of creating a Britain toy soldier has also evolved over their years of production into a finely crafted process. These extremely detailed and accurate soldiers come from a strict series of steps for production. An idea for a toy soldier is sketched out with special attention to proportions of the figurines and perspective. Historians and historical books then validate the details of each soldier from their clothes to their hair. Toy soldier visions are brought to life by creating wax figures of the drawings then creating molds from the wax figures. Lead-free pewter is poured into the molds then these metal figurines are hand painted with realistic details.  

 So much attention is paid to the vision and creation of each W. Britain piece that it is no wonder these soldiers are considered some of the finest in the world.  

Toy soldiers have been a collector’s item for people of all ages for more than 100 years. It’s no wonder why when these lifelike figurines give collectors a little piece of history and an attractive set to show off. It is also no wonder why so many of these collectors choose W. Britain soldiers to build their collection. These meticulously manufactured figurines are of the highest quality available down to the last detail.

 Read more about W Britain Toy Soldiers now.

History of the Manufacturing of W. Britain Toy Soldiers

William Britain began making toy soldiers more than a hundred years ago in 1893. Their first soldiers debuted in England just in time for the Christmas rush! The first soldiers were hollowcast lead figurines. Meaning they were hollow in the middle which saved materials in production. 

In the 1960’s, Britains lead toy soldiers took a big hit to production. William Britain had produced thousands of sets of lead toy soldiers up to this point but the cost of lead rose and UK increased safety regulations on lead. These factors stopped production of Britains’ famous lead toy soldiers. William Britain shifted their manufacturing focus. 

For more than 10 years, Britains focused their production on plastic soldiers and other toys. In 1973, Britains began producing a new kind of metal toy soldiers. They were originally intended to be toys but were eventually dubbed collectors items. These figurines were die cast in metal alloy and these are the toy soldiers that W. Britain produces today. Die casting is a way of forming metal figures. A molten metal is poured into a cavity to form each figurine. These die cast alloy toy soldiers are the ones we know today!

Plastic Britains

William Britain toy soldiers are renowned for being made of high quality materials with intricate detailing. So it is funny to think that there are plastic Britains…but it’s true!

William Britain acquired Herald Miniatures, a company that specialized in plastic figurines in the 1950’s.

Then in the mid 60’s, the cost of lead rose and UK safety regulations regarding lead slowed production of Britains’ main product, metal toy soldiers.

In 1976, Britain also began producing plastic figures with metal bases for their Deetail product line. Check out one example from Deetail below

The Britains Deetail WWII German Toy Soldiers Infantry 

with King Tiger

The First Britains

Britains were first introduced around Christmastime in 1893. Before the introduction of the infamous toy soldiers, William Britain was a Brass Cock Maker and manufactured various toys. But the early Britians toy soldiers quickly gained popularity.

W. Britain was not the first to manufacture toy soldiers but they certainly took off and overshadowed competition in 1893 and still do today. Part of their immediate success came from their method of production. Their signature hollowcast soldiers are hollow in the middle which means that they use less metal and can be sold for a lower price. This value set Britains apart in their early years. Now Britains are known for much more. Some of the classic Britain qualities include attention to detail and historically accurate pieces. 

I haven’t been lucky enough to see them in person but here are some pictures of the first ever William Britain Toy Soldier Sets.

The First Life Guards (1893) has five toy soldiers riding horses with swords drawn.

The Royal Horse Guards (1893) has five soldiers mounted on horseback with swords drawn wearing red continental style saddlecloths.

The 5^th Dragoon Guards (1893) has five soldiers on horseback all marching in sync. 

It's incredible to see how Britains have evolved...and to see where they came from

2011 William Britain Soldiers

New Britains are coming!

W. Britain has announced the release of lots of new toy soldiers in 2011! There are going to be new additions to the Zulu War Collection, The American Civil War Collection, The War Along the Nile Collection, The Archive Collection, Tactile Scenes, and even the Ceremonial Collection.

Lots are arriving this month including. 

Confederate General A.P. Hill (Britains product number 31083) staring into the distance with a full beard, his hat in one hand and his smoking pipe in the other.

Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard (31080) surveying his surroundings with sword in hand.

Confederate General Albert Sydney Johnston (31081) plots his next move with binoculars in hand.

U.S. Colored Troops Marching #1 (31086) marches into battle loaded down with gear and looking ready for anything.

I am especially excited about this last one! This is the first African American toy soldier I've seen and an excellent representation of history. Thanks W. Britain!