Figure
W.Britain
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1905
Materials
Metal and cardboard
Measurements
Each soldier - 67 mm (height), Box - 390 mm (length); 100 mm (width); 33 mm (height)
Place of origin
London
Collection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 664354
Summary
Two metal model soldiers, possibly in Guards uniforms, with their original box. Each soldier has a red jacket (one with cream belts, the other with black), navy blue trousers with a red stripe down the side and a black bearskin. Each stands on a green rectangular base. Each has one pivoted arm holding a weapon - the one with the cream-coloured belt carries a rifle over his left shoulder, the other one carries a sword in his right hand. The rectangular cardboard box has a lid. The sides of the box are red. Pasted onto the lid is a cream paper label reading 'British Soldiers Moveable Arms. Royal Welsh (23rd Foot) Fusiliers'. This is crossed out in blue pen with 'Camel Corps 48' handwritten. Battles are listed on the left and right along with a coat of arms and a printed line illustration of a soldier by Fred Whisstock. Manufactured by W Britain in London. The edges of the box are torn and missing in places. Total number of items is 5.
Marks and inscriptions
On the paper label on the lid: 'BLENHEIM/ RAMILLIES/ OUDENARDE/ MALPLAQUET/ DETTINGEN/ MIDEN/ CORUNNA/ MARTINIQUE/ ALBUHERA/ BADAJOZ/ SALAMANCA/ VITTORIA/ PYRENEES/ NIVELLE/ ORTHES/ TOULOUSE/ PENINSULA/ WATERLOO/ ALMA/ INKERMAN/ SEVASTOPOL/ LUCKNOW/ ASHANTEE. 1885/ BURMA 1885-87/ SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902/ RELIEF OF LADYSMITH/ PEKIN. 1900' On the paper label on the lid: 'British Soldiers MOVABLE ARMS/ ROYAL WELSH [bracket] 23RD FOOT [bracket] / FUSILIERS./ MANUFACTURED BY/ W Britain/ IN LONDON.' On the base of the sword-carrier: 'W BRITAI[N]/ COP/ 16.11.1905' On the base of the rifle-carrier: 'BRITAIN/ COPYRIGH/ 1.8.1905'
Makers and roles
W.Britain, maker