These toy soldiers were manufactured by William Britain Ltd in the late
19th century. Based in Hornsey, the company was the most important and
well-known maker of model soldiers in the UK.
New hollow process
William Britain began by making mechanical toys. But in 1898 he devised a
new 'hollow-cast' process which could make model soldiers in lead or tin.
This allowed him to produce models that were lighter and cheaper than the
solid figures made in France and Germany.
Leading toy manufacturer
From this time onwards, until the mid-1960s, the company was the leading
toy model manufacturer in England, if not the world. During this period
they issued several thousand different sets of cavalry, infantry and
militia from various countries throughout the world. The company was
eventually sold to Dobson Park Plc.
