Hollow Lead Soldiers
Hollow-Cast Lead Soldiers: A Revolution in Toy Soldier Manufacturing
Until the late 19th century, England relied on imported toy soldiers from Germany and France. However, in 1893, the British company W. Britains revolutionized the industry by introducing hollow lead soldiers, an innovative process that drastically reduced production costs. The hollow lead technique involved pouring molten lead into a mold and then draining the excess, leaving behind a lightweight yet detailed figure. This method allowed for the mass production of affordable yet durable toy soldiers, quickly surpassing solid lead models in popularity. W. Britains' lead soldiers soon became the standard for toy regiments worldwide. In France, hollow lead figures gained prominence just before World War I and flourished in the 1920s, as the demand for economical alternatives to solid lead soldiers grew. Manufacturers such as Domage et Compagnie (D.C.), Blancherie Frères (B.F.), and Georges Munckle (G.M.) dominated the market, producing a variety of French army figurines. This period also saw a fascination with colonial troops, historical battle scenes, and parade figures, reflecting the geopolitical climate of the era. In the United States, the rise of dimestore soldiers, produced by Barclay and Manoil, provided American children with their own unique versions of WWI and WWII figures. Because of concerns over lead toxicity, production of lead soldiers declined after World War II, and by the 1960s, plastic figures had largely replaced them. However, hollow-cast soldiers remain highly collectible today, especially rare or well-preserved examples from brands like W. Britain, Johillco, and Timpo.
Hollow Cast Colonial Soldiers: The Exoticism of 1930s Military Figurines
The Arab soldier figurines of the 1930s reflect the exoticism and orientalist themes promoted by hollow cast military figurines of the era, closely tied to colonial values. The 1931 Colonial Exhibition in Paris influenced manufacturers such as Georges Munckle, JRD, and D.C, who produced hollow lead toy soldiers representing colonial troops (Spahis, Méharistes, Tirailleurs) and diorama-style scenes of daily life in North Africa.
Munckle, in particular, stood out for the artistic quality of his hand-painted figurines. Despite their orientalist stereotypes, these hollow cast miniatures fueled the imagination of children and collectors, offering an idealized vision of the French colonial empire. Today, they are highly sought-after collectibles, serving as historical artifacts that reflect an era fascinated by colonial exoticism
